Indigenous Artist

Joseph Naytowhow is a gifted Plains/Woodland Cree (nehiyaw)
singer/songwriter, storyteller, and voice, stage and film actor from the Sturgeon
Lake First Nation Band in Saskatchewan. As a child, Joseph was influenced by
his grandfather’s traditional and ceremonial chants as well as the sounds of the
fiddle and guitar. Today he is renowned for his unique style of Cree/English
storytelling, combined with original contemporary music and traditional First
Nations drum and rattle songs.
An accomplished performer, Joseph is the recipient of the 2006 Canadian
Aboriginal Music Award’s Keeper of the Tradition Award and the
2005 Commemorative Medal for the Saskatchewan Centennial. In 2009 Joseph
also received a Gemini Award for Best Individual or Ensemble Performance
in an Animated Program or Series for his role in Wapos Bay series. That same
year he was also awarded Best Emerging Male Actor at the Winnipeg
Aboriginal Film Festival for his role in Run: Broken Yet Brave and won Best
Traditional Male Dancer at John Arcand’s Fiddlefest in Saskatchewan. He has
performed for the Prince of Wales, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
and many other notables. His demanding schedule continues to take him to
conferences, symposia, festivals and art/research projects both nationally and
internationally.
Fifteen years of study with a Buddhist master, combined with his nêhiyaw/Cree
traditional knowledge and experience as an interdisciplinary artist has nurtured
Joseph’s generosity and compassion for sharing cultural knowledge. A much
sought after speaker, counselor, and educator for youth and adults alike, Joseph
frequently enjoys opportunities to work as a resident artist and outdoor educator.
From 1995 to 2000 he served as the Storyteller-In-Residence for Meadow Lake
Tribal Council. More recently Joseph served as Emerging Elder with the Indian
Teacher Education Program in Saskatoon, Emerging Elder/Artistic Advisor with
Living Sky School Division, and regularly serves as advisor/knowledge keeper
with various universities across turtle island.
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of
Saskatchewan. As an innovative artist, mentor, and a committed arts educator he
fully embraces his own lifelong learning curve.

INDIGENOUS ANCESTRY

First Nations

SELF-IDENTIFICATION

nehiyaw(Cree)