Native Threads Artist Profile: Carl Quinn
Singer/Songwriter, Nehiyo/Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Canada
Carl was born in a one-room shack on the Saddle Lake Cree Nation Reserve. He comes from a family of twelve and has raised a family of his own. Carl’s interest in music was nurtured at a very young age. He grew up listening to the songs of the traditional ceremonies and the social songs of the round dance, hand game, and the powwow.
Carl received his first guitar at the age of fifteen. It was a big investment for a family that lived below the poverty line. He taught himself to play and began emulating the folk and rock music of his generation—the late sixties and early seventies. Carl is a traditional dancer and has performed at powwows throughout North America, both as a dancer and a singer, often with the Pisimoyapi drum group.
“Nehiyo” Now Available on Compact Disk
Nehiyo is a collection of nine original songs written by Carl, and performed by Carl and friends. All lyrics are written in his Native Cree (Nehiyo) language, which is spiritually based. The music blends contemporary folk, pop, and rock grooves, traditional beats by the Pisimoyapi Drum Group, and soothing vocal harmonies. The CD was arranged by Tomas Brabec and Carl Quinn, and produced by Octavo Productions. The idea for his album arose out of a need to expand the use of the Cree language and also to capture the interest of the younger generation.
“Not too long ago, if you had told our ancestors that our Native language would one day be replaced, they wouldn't have understood. It is estimated that in 20 years, nobody will speak Nehiyo, our Native language. To have an appreciation of who they are, more Native people must participate in traditional dances and ceremonies. Our challenge in these modern times is to preserve our identity. In Canada, there are two official languages: English and French. Native people must also have the right to have their languages affirmed and recognized.”
One of the values Carl has been taught is to assist his people however he can. He has followed this path by volunteering his time to worthwhile community programs, such as Boy Scouts, organizing annual powwows and other community events created for Native people. Carl has worked in a wide variety of occupations, including hunter, trapper, farm hand, construction worker, and human resource consultant. He is a respected leader for his people and has served on the Saddle Lake Cree Nation tribal council for four three-year terms, including one term as chief.
The text below is in the Cree language. For more information, visit www.carlquinn.com.
Listen to MP3 samples from the album:
01 Nosisim
02 Kisenapew
04 Nipin
06 Kiwihtamawin
07 Kise-Yotin
08 Sakastew
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