Seminoles Host 2005 Nammy Awards

By Iretta Tiger

HOLLYWOOD — This is the big event Indian country has been waiting for. The list of the performers alone was enough to make your head spin with excitement;Medicine Dream, Derek Miller and Jim Boyd.

On Feb. 10, the Seminole Tribe hosted the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards, or Nammys at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This feat was accomplished by Trail Liaison William Osceola.

Chairman Mitchell Cypress and President Moses Osceola welcomed everyone and Osceola gave special recognition to William Osceola for his efforts in bringing the Nammys to the Hard Rock.

Nominees and guests were then treated to a special performance by the Seminole stomp dancers. The emcees for this year’s Nammys were actor Adam Beach and musician Jana.

One performance that stood out was the group Yarina, a group of brothers from Ecuador that play “Music of the Andes .” In their native Quichua language Yarina means “remembrance.” Though the family was raised on traditional music, they had to teach themselves how to play. Like any Native musicians who love their culture Yarina wanted to bring awareness to the Indigenous rights of the Otavalos natives in Northern Ecuador .

Singer Robert Cachimuel explains, “Our philosophy is to bring our music and our culture to the rest of the world.”

Also performing at the Nammys was special guest and country music legend Crystal Gayle. Gayle also presented a special recognition award to flutist “Doc” Tate Nevaquaya. Accepting the award were Nevaquaya’s sons Sonny and Timmy Nevaquaya.

The following are the winners of the 2005 Nammys; Artist of the year – Litefoot, Best Blues/Jazz Recording – Cecil Gray and Red Dawn Blues Band, Best Compilation Recording – Northern Cree and Friends, Debut Artist of the Year – Jay Nez, Best Female Artist – Yolanda Martinez, Best Folk/Country Recording – Quatisi, Flutist of the Year – Billy Whitefox, Gospel/Christian Recording – Rezawrecktion, Group of the Year – Blackfire, Best Historical Recording – Cozad, Best Independent Recording – Stan Summers, Best Instrumental Recording – Joseph Firecrow and Billings Symphony, Best Male Artist – Eli Secody, Best New Age Recording – The 9, Best Pow Wow Recording – Black Lodge, Star Society, Moccasin Flats, Best Producer – Feed the Fire, Best Rap/Hip Hop Recording – Shadowyze, Record of the Year – Jim Boyd, Song/Single of the Year – Jimmy Lee Young, Songwriter of the Year – Felipe Rose, Best Spoken Word Recording – Mary Louise Defender Wilson, Best Traditional Recording – Randy Wood, Best Short or Long Form Video – Walela Live in Concert, Best World Music Recording – Yarina, Rising Star Awards to Evren Ozan, Lil Dre and Kansas Begay.