Real winners for the holidays

Page 7

Pretty Brown

Vancouver singer Fara Palmer has added yet another achievement to her long list of credits, receiving the award for Best Female Artist at this years Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Fara won the award for her work on Pretty Brown, her second album. Her first album, This is My World, was released in 1997, and earned her a Juno nomination for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording.

Fara's career as a performer got off to an early start as she sang at weddings, public gatherings, and in the school choir. An early highlight of her career came at age 12, when she performed on stage with Buffy Sainte-Marie. Fara's credits have included performing the opening number at National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) ceremonies, and as part of Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa in 1995. She has made a number of television performances, including appearances on Canada A.M., MuchMusic and Gabereau.

Fara has lent her vocal skills to a number of projects, including the Children Of The World recording and video project and the VisionQuest promotional CD. For more information about Fara, visit her website at www.fara-entertainment.com

Solitary Raven Selected Writings of Bill Reid

Although renowned for his work in the visual arts, Haida sculptor Bill Reid worked with words as well as wood, working as a radio announcer and script writer before he received his first large carving commission in 1958. Now, two years after Reid's death, a selection of his writings have been gathered and published in book form.

The writings have been collected from many sources, including radio broadcasts, newspapers and magazines, exhibition catalogues, and speaking notes. Some of the pieces have never been published until now.

In addition to the writings, the book also includes some of Reid's drawings and photographs of some of his carvings and other work, along with photos of the artist at work.

It'em

The efforts of Flora Wallace to preserve traditional Lil'wat songs and language earned her a special award at this year's Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Wallace received the Keeper of Traditions Award at this year's event, held at the Skydome in Toronto on Nov. 24.

Wallace, who was born in Lillooet, has been singing all of her life. As a young girl living on the Fountain reserve, she used to go from house to house, singing songs she'd learned from old phonograph records.

These days, Wallace and five of her children make up the group Tzo'kam, performing both traditional songs, and contemporary songs using traditional language and style. The group released their first CD this spring. The album, It'em, is a mix of traditional songs and songs written by Tzo'kam members.

Wallace said she formed Tzo'kam with her children to help preserve the traditional songs she'd learned throughout her life.

"I didn't want the songs to be lost, because there are hardly any Elders left," she said.

(More winners page 7.)

Riel's Road

Sandy Scofield's most recent recording, garnered her two awards at this year?s Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. The single "Beat the Drum" was recognized with a Best Song award, and the album took top spot in the Best New Age/Alternative Album category.

Scofield has been recording since 1989, providing vocals on other people?s albums and contributing to a number of compilation CDs. In 1994, she recorded her first album, Dirty River. In addition to her solo work, Scofield often performs with the Aboriginal Women"s Vocal Ensemble, Tlyoweh.

Journey Home

Mishi Donovan"s new album earned her the best songwriter award at this year"s Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Donovan, a Chippewa Cree singer, songwriter and actor, uses her music to promote and preserve Cree language and culture, singing in both Cree and English. Journey Home is Donovan"s first release since her 1998 Juno win for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording.

Locos Bravos, Mandala

In 1994, Jason Keatingand Daren Rick were playing their guitars on the streets of Vancouver. Now, six years later, the duo's first CD, Mandala, has earned them the Best Instrumental Album honors at this year's Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

The CD, released in 1998, features the two guitarists performing their music, which they describe as new world flamenco.