The winners of the 15th Annual Native American Music Awards were announced yesterday evening at the Seneca Allegany Entertainment Center in the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca, New York located near Buffalo, New York.
The awards recognize the music performed by the American Indian community in 30 music categories spanning all genres.
Artist of the Year
Mato Nanji – Vanishing Americans. Mato Nanji is the longtime leader of the South Dakota-based Indigenous blues band.
Best Blues Recording
Vanishing Americans by Indigenous
Best Compilation Recording
Don’t Let Me Forget by Kelly Montijo Fink
Best Country Recording
Woman Of Red by Tracy Bone
Debut Artist of the Year
Leah Shenandoah – Spektre
Debut Group of the Year
Sihasin – Never Surrender
Best Female Artist
Rita Coolidge – A Rita Coolidge Christmas
Best Folk Recording
Keeper of the Earth by Red Feather Woman
Flutist of the Year
Rona Yellowrobe – The Gathering
Best Inspirational Recording
Grace & Grit: Chapter I – Dark Water Rising
Group of the Year
Plenty Wolf Singers – Medicine Wolf
Best Historical/Linguistic Recording
Heart of the Buffalo by Richard Stepp & Rick McKee
Best Instrumental Recording
The Long Journey Home by Ryan Little Eagle Molina
Best Male Artist
Jimmy Wolf – A Tribute To Little Johnny Taylor
Best Native American Church Recording
Apache Peyote Songs by Joe Tohonnie Jr
Best New Age Recording
Bridge by Rushingwind & Mucklow
Best Pop Recording
Day After Day by Jamie Coon
Best Pow Wow Recording
Stoic by Tha Tribe
Best Producer
Kevin Chief – Honoring The Mazinikijik Singers
Best Rap Hip Hop Recording
One Tribe One Nation by The Council
Record of the Year
Romanze Songs of Tosti by Lawrence Harris
Best Rock Recording
Two Sons by The Ollivanders
Song of the Year
Witchi Tai-To – Water Spirits by Shadowyze, Caren Knight Pepper and Jim Pepper
Songwriter of the Year
Theresa “Bear” Fox – Diamond
Best Spoken Word Recording
Grandfather Speaks – Ken Quiet Hawk
Best Traditional Recording
Spirit of Thunderheart by Rising
Best Music Video
Sisters ft Northern Voice – A Tribe Called Red
Best Waila Recording
In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Father & Uncle – Family Pride
Best World Music Recording
Nature Dance by Joanne Shenandoah
Native Heart
Lex Nichols – The Long Road
Lifetime Achievement
Jim Boyd
Author: World Music Central News Room
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