THE JOURNEY
The drum begins
Young Spirit (oskiyak kīsik in Plains Cree) is formed at Frog Lake Cree First Nation, Alberta. The group competes at its first powwow as Young Spirit that same year, at the Samson Cree First Nation Pow-Wow.
World champions
Young Spirit wins the Worldwide Championship at the Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow — the largest powwow in North America. Also releases Save Me a Lead and Takakikeh – Doing It Right.
Akameyimoh Baby Boy & Niteheochi – From the Heart
Two album releases. The song "Pretty Soon" wins Traditional Native American Drum at the 2014 Indian Summer Music Awards.
Mewasinsational – Cree Round Dance Songs
Also releases sâkītohk – Love Each Other. Mewasinsational goes on to earn the group's Grammy nomination, wins Best Pow Wow / Drum Songs Recording at the 20th Annual Native American Music Awards, and wins Best Hand Drum Album at the 2018 Indigenous Music Awards.
Gathering of Nations champions again
Young Spirit wins the Worldwide Championship at Gathering of Nations for the second time. Releases Red Dress Special, which goes on to win Best Pow Wow Drum Recording at the 19th Annual Native American Music Awards (2019) and Best Pow Wow (Contemporary Album) at the 2019 Indigenous Music Awards. The album's songs "Cree Prayer Song" and "K-Days Spirit" also win Best Song in the Traditional Native American Drum Category at the 2018 and 2019 Indian Summer Music Awards.
Grammy nomination & the red carpet
Mewasinsational – Cree Round Dance Songs is nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. The group — 16 singers representing Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Arizona, and California — travels to Los Angeles and performs an impromptu Cree round dance song live on the Grammy red carpet, drawing national media attention. Also releases Love, Life, Round Dance.
Juno nomination
Angel Eagle earns a Juno nomination for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year.
Second Juno nomination
Ostesihtowin earns a second Juno nomination for Traditional Indigenous Artist of the Year.
Young Spirit apparel
The group launches its first official apparel capsule, made to order in Alberta through its own production company.
Our group's name is Young Spirit for a reason. And we collectively have all joined together to stand behind the mandate of keeping our culture alive.