Take home the real winners for their stockings

Page 11

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.

The Best of Red Bull

The album The Best of Red Bull earned the group its latest honor from the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. The singing and drumming group formed in 1987, with most members coming from the Little Pine Cree Nation. Singing on the Best of album are Melvin Stone, Delia Waskewitch, Heaven Valley, Wendy Singer, Valerie Chief, Troy Tootoosis, Brian Waskewitch, Wesley Strongarm, Irvin Waskewitch, Terrance Fox, Lawrence Kiskotogan, Ambrose Metsikassus, Ross Bull and Edmund Bull.

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.

Locos Bravos, Mandala

In 1994, Jason Keating and Darren Ricker 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.