Shingoose

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Shingoose
Born26 October 1946
Winnipeg, Manitoba
DiedWinnipeg, Manitoba
January 21, 2021(2021-01-21) (aged 74)
GenresFolk
Years active1961–2012

Curtis Jonnie (26 October 1946 – 12 January 2021), better known by his stage name Shingoose, was an Ojibwe singer and songwriter from Canada. He played in Roy Buchanan's band during the early part of his career. He also recorded with Bruce Cockburn in his first album, Native Country. Shingoose was inducted into the Manitoba Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

Early life

Shingoose was born in

Mennonite family in Steinbach as part of the Sixties Scoop.[1][2] As a child in Steinbach, he grew up with Patrick Friesen, who later became a notable poet.[2] He began singing in church choirs, and joined the Nebraska-based Boystown Concert Choir after moving to the United States at age 15.[1] In the late 1960s and 1970s, he performed with several rock and rhythm and blues bands in Washington, D.C., and New York City, including a stint in Roy Buchanan's band.[3]

Career

Shingoose returned to Winnipeg in 1973. Inspired by the contemporaneous

folk festival circuit.[1] His second album, Ballad of Norval, was released in 1979.[6]

In the early 1980s, Shingoose collaborated with

CKND-TV, and the 1989 television special Indian Time for CTV.[1] He was the host of the former program, and was one of the performers in the latter.[7] He was also a correspondent on First Nations issues for CTV's Canada AM.[8]

Shingoose hosted a three-part documentary series for

Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year, and raised funds for an aboriginal cultural centre in Winnipeg. His song "Treaty Rights" was adopted as an anthem of the 2007 Aboriginal Day of Action.[11]

Later life and death

Shingoose had a stroke in 2012 that left him with partial paralysis.[4] Marks organized a fundraising concert to assist him with medical and living expenses, which featured Eagle & Hawk, Ray St. Germain, Mark Nabess, Dustin Harder, Jesse Green and Don Amero.[4] He was enshrined into the Manitoba Music Hall of Fame that year.[2]

"Silver River", a track he recorded in collaboration with poet

Grammy Award.[2]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba, Shingoose died from the virus at a care home in Winnipeg, on 12 January 2021 and at the age of 74.[2]

Albums

  • Native Country (1975)[1]
  • Ballad of Norval (1979)[6]
  • Natural Tan (1989)[6]
  • T-Bird in the Lake (2007)[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Shingoose". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "'Trailblazer' Ojibway musician Shingoose dies of COVID-19 at 74". CBC News. January 12, 2021.
  3. ^ John Einarson, "Pioneering performer: Decades into career, indigenous icon's creative drive burns bright". Winnipeg Free Press, March 6, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Musicians pull together for pioneer Shingoose after stroke". CBC Music, May 14, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Friend, David (January 13, 2021). "Ojibway musician Curtis Jonnie, known as Shingoose, dies at 74". Times Colonist. Victoria. The Canadian Press. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Bush, John. "Shingoose – Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Antonia Zerbisias, "Native People entertain and educate". Toronto Star, March 26, 1989.
  8. ^ a b "TVO appoints first manager of native policy". The Globe and Mail, February 27, 1992.
  9. ^ "The voice of native performers grows louder". The Globe and Mail, March 8, 1991.
  10. ^ "Powwow showcase for native talent". The Province, July 12, 1991.
  11. ^ "Singer's protest song rallying cry for natives". Winnipeg Free Press, June 18, 2007.
  12. ^ "Native Country: Record launches Indian artistic project". Ottawa Journal, January 23, 1976.
  13. ^ "Light in the Attic Unearths the Forgotten History of First Nations Music with 'Native North America' Compilation". Exclaim!, October 8, 2014.
  14. ^ "NARIA cohosts Aboriginal Music Night, November 3, 2007" (Press release). NationTalk. October 12, 2007. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.

External links