ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Annie Humphrey
The Beast and The Garden
DEBUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Calvin Standing Bear
Fly Eagle Fly
DEBUT GROUP OF THE YEAR
Dreamwalker Suite
People of the Star Orchestra
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Kelly Derrickson
I Am
FLUTIST OF THE YEAR
Pine Ridge Flute Society
Waziahanhan Siyotanka Okolakiciye
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Twin Flames
Signal Fire
BEST MALE ARTIST
Randy Wood
Family
BEST AMERICANA RECORDING
Cluster Stars
Sandra Sutter
BEST BLUES RECORDING
Blues Loving Man
Tracy Lee Nelson
BEST COUNTRY RECORDING
Never Let Me Go
Desja Eagle Tail
BEST FOLK RECORDING
Signal Fire
Twin Flames
BEST NATIVE AMERICAN CHURCH RECORDING
Songs of the Native American Church from Oklahoma Vol 5
Oliver Littlecook, O.J. Littlecook, Kyle Robedeaux
BEST HISTORICAL LINGUISTIC RECORDING
Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
Jeremy Dutcher
BEST SPOKEN WORD RECORDING
Fires of Thunder
Thana Redhawk
BEST INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING
Rushingwind
Steven Rushingwind
BEST POP RECORDING
Safe in the Arms of Time
Rita Coolidge
BEST POW WOW RECORDING
The Journey
Stoney Park
BEST RAP HIP HOP RECORDING
Brave Star
Artson
BEST ROCK RECORDING
Something Inside Is Broken
Native American Rock Opera
Various Artists
BEST TRADITIONAL RECORDING
Sweat Lodge Songs
Craig Elkshoulder
BEST WAILA RECORDING
All For You
O’odham Nights
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Don’t Let The Drums Go Silent
Saginaw Grant
SONG OF THE YEAR
Women and Water
Paco Fralick and Michael Bucher
BEST SINGLE RECORDING
Left Right Left
Mickie James
BEST DANCE SONG
Going Back To My Roots
Felipe Rose
BEST NEW AGE INSTRUMENTAL SONG
Beginnings
Connor Chee
BEST MUSIC VIDEO CONCEPT
Sky World
Supaman, Bear Fox, Teio Swathe
BEST MUSIC VIDEO NARRATIVE
Lakota WIll Live
Terrance. Jade
BEST MUSIC VIDEO PERFORMANCE
Through the Flood
Indian City
NATIVE HEART
Alexander Van Bubenheim
Don't Let The Drums Go Silent
BEST NATIONAL RADIO PROGRAM
Pow Wow Radio
Pow Wows.com
BEST INDIE ARTIST
P.J. Vegas
Tears
COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR
Tonia Jo Hall
(Auntie Beachress)
HALL OF FAME
JESSE ED DAVIS
The world's largest and only professional membership-based organization dedicated to showcasing and honoring the best new music initiatives and recordings from the Americas.
18th Annual Awards Gala Friday, October 12th, 2018
at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York
Public Voting Now Open
Close to Buffalo International Airport
“All the professionalism and production values of much larger events like the Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards" ”
— American Federation of Radio Television Artists (AFTRA)
WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR VOTING? SIGN UP HERE.
The Native American Music Awards is proud to introduce the newest member of the Native American Music Awards House band from Six Nations, Please welcome.....Dwayne LaForme!!!
The Music Industry's Only National Organization for the Advancement & Recognition of Native American Music
Devoted to bringing Indigenous music to the world's consciousness
-NEW YORK TIMES
The Awards Show For Native American Entertainment
-JEOPARDY TV
It's time to start taking Native American music seriously.
USA TODAY
The best music created by Indigenous artists in all its variety and excellence.
INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY MEDIA NETWORK
From the extraordinary rock ballads of Jim Boyd to the powerful tenor Lawrence Harris the comedy of puppeteer Buddy Big Mountain and the emotional vocals of Jamie Coon; the artists featured are without exception in command of the stage and show just how good Native artists can be.
NEWS FROM INDIAN COUNTRY
There is no better indication of the remarkable variety of today's Native American music than a glance at the Native American Music Awards
BILLBOARD
All the professionalism and production values of much larger events like the Grammy Awards
and the American Music Awards
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF RADIO TELEVISION ARTS
The Native American Music Association, a 501(c(3) was established in 1998 surrounding the debut of the Native American Music Awards in order to promote greater cultural understanding and create opportunities for Native American musicians. The Association is the world's largest and only professional membership-based organization dedicated to showcasing and honoring outstanding music initiatives by Native North Americans and American Indians.
Founded 1998
Celebrating 20 Years
The 90th #Oscars honor the men and women of the United States military. pic.twitter.com/DoaztJB7fS
— ABC Network (@ABCNetwork) March 5, 2018
Nokie Edwards Journeys To The Spirit World
Nokie Edwards (Cherokee), universally recognized as one of the world’s premiere guitarists and member of the internationally acclaimed instrumental group, The Ventures, has died at the age of 82. Known for his innovative guitar sound, and credited for such hit songs as; Hawaii Five-O, Walk Don't Run, Surf Rider and Wipe Out, Nokie died from complications of a hip surgery he had in December in Yuma, Arizona according to a family source.
Nokie won Best Instrumental Recording at the 12th Annual Native American Music Awards for his solo instrumental effort, Hitchin' A Ride. He was also honored with a Hall of Fame Induction by the Native American Music Association at the 13th Annual Awards ceremony in 2011 and performed.
Native American Music Association President, Ellen Bello recalls, “One of the first sounds to capture me as a child were the guitar riffs of Nokie Edwards from the song, Wipe Out. I could never hear enough of it. To personally have met Nokie, the Legend behind that hit song, and be able to induct him into our Association’s Hall of Fame, was a tremendous honor that I will always cherish and remember. On behalf of the Native American Music Association & Awards, I extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Nokie's wife Judy, and their family and friends. Nokie was an inspiration to so many individuals and bands. He will be greatly missed." states Ellen Bello.
CANYON RECORDS
ANNOUNCE FILM DOCUMENTARY OF R. CARLOS NAKAI
R. Carlos Nakai is recognized as a world renowned Native American flutist, recording artist, and one of the premier innovators of contemporary Native American music. He is a five time Native American Music Award winner and a Lifetime Achievement recipient. He has earned 11 Grammy nominations, a Platinum Record, two Gold Records, and over 4.5 million albums sold.
Snapshots Music & Arts Foundation is producing a documentary about R. Carlos Nakai who combines the heart and soul of traditional Native American music with a desire to bring the unique sound of the Native American flute into other genres such as jazz, world, classical, and new age. The featured documentary will share Nakai’s life story and achievements as a key cultural change maker. Building on the work of flutists like Doc Tate Nevaqueya (NAMA HALL OF FAME), Nakai created a new sound in the early 1980s that attracted millions of listeners globally. Through an inspired and iconoclastic creative philosophy expressed in more than 50 recordings, R. Carlos Nakai continues to give new energy to the making, appreciation, and enjoyment of Native American music.
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF
LINK WRAY'S RUMBLE
Pictured are: Top row l-r son Link Wray Jr, musician Jon Paris, grandson Chris Webb,
bottom l-r daughter Beth Wray Webb, musician Denise Mercedes.
On March 31, 1958, Native American Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Link Wray released his song, "Rumble" on Cadence Records. The only instrumental song to get banned from radio first came to the attention of record producer Archie Bleyer .
The single was banned in several US 
radio markets because the term "rumble" was a slang term for a gang fight. But "Rumble" became a hit in the United States climbing to number 16 on the charts by the Summer of 1958 and selling one million copies.
Sixty years later to the date of its 
original release, Link Wray's family and former bandmates gathered at Generation Records in Greenwich Village, New York to celebrate "Rumble." Special guests included; Link Wray's eldest daughter Beth Wray Webb, her brother Link Wray Jr., her son Chris Webb, the only female to perform with Link, Denise Mercedes, and noted blues rock musician Jon Paris as well as Native American Music Awards President, Ellen Bello, guitarist Steven Van Zandt who inducted Link Wray into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame and Co-directors of the documentary, "Rumble".
Look for our upcoming special auction commemorating the 60th Anniversary of "Rumble" with autographed albums, cds plus a commemorative limited series Link Wray print and Anniversary T-shirt.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF AN ORIGINAL JOSEPH FIRECROW SIGNATURE FLUTE
The late Joseph FireCrow was a multiple Native American Music Award winner, Lifetime Achievement Recipient
, GRAMMY nominee & Winner. One of Joseph's original flutes engraved with his autograph, was donated by his wife for our auction to help raise funds for our Association,a 501c3 organization. This is one of Joseph's personal flutes from his own collection made of
western red cedar and in t
he key of B. Congratulations to the winning bidder!
Nokie Edwards Autographed Guitar Auction Coming Soon!
This autographed Guitar was purchased new and only tuned and played by Nokie at the 13th Annual Native American Music Awards. It comes with a Hard case and also included is Nokie's original performance agreement for the 13th Annual Native American Music Awards, and signed by Nokie . In addition to that we also have a signed photo of Nokie that will be included. The proceeds of this sale will be donated to the Native American Music Association a non profit 501c3.
Wes Studi at The Oscars
One of the most distinguished American Indian Actors, Wes Studi, was a special guest at the Oscars and presented a Military Movie Tribute during the 90th Academy Awards. Studi, who is the first Native American presenter at The Oscars, served as a soldier in the Vietnam War.
The first and largest awards show honoring the best in music and entertainment by American Indians, Native Americans, North American Indigenous people.
NAMA ON TELEVISION:
West Hollywood, California Channel 36
West Hollywood Public Access, Cable Channel 36 in the City of West Hollywood and
on AT&T Universe Channel 99 in the greater Los Angeles area.
New York, NY
Manhattan Cable Television
On Channels; Spectrum 67, RCN 85, FIOS 36
and a livestream on www.mnn.org
Long Island, New York:
Altice USA Public Access Channel 115
FRIDAYS AT 12:00PM
Throughout the October 2017-March 2018 cycle.
Plus NAMA 9 - 9th Annual Awards show airs: Thursdays @ 7am
PATV New York
In Great Neck or Manhasset on channel 20 or channel 37 on Verizon Fios.
www.patv.org/live stream.
SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
www.sdpb.org
Cambridge, Massachusetts
CCTV's Channel 8.
CCTV
https://www.cctvcambridge.org/
more tba...
NAMA ON RADIO :
NAMA & SPOTIFY COBRAND PLAYLISTS
Register for FREE on Spotify.com FOLLOW & LISTEN
NAMA LIVE PLAYLIST LINK
https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX2A4LGgH1lAl
WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!
17th Annual Native American Music Awards
WWE® Superstar & SMG Recording Artist
MICKIE JAMES™
INDUCTED INTO THE NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC
HALL OF FAME
AND WINNER FOR SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
JOSH HALVERSON
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
BEST FOLK RECORDING
KELLY DERRICKSON
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
NAHKO
RECORD OF THE YEAR
NORTHERN CREE SINGERS
BEST POW WOW RECORDING
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
DJ SHUB
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Arthur Redcloud
Honorary Award of Excellence
Conrad Benally
Best Male Artist
Lucas Ciliberti
Debut Artist of the Year
Sten Joddi
Best Rap Hip Hop Recording
Back Bear Brothers
Debut Group of the Year
James Edmund Greeley
Best Traditional Recording
Artson
Best Music Video Narrative
Jan Michael Looking Wolf Band
Best Music Video Performance
and Red Carpet Hosted By Felipe Rose of the Village People
SEE NAMA 17 PAGE FOR MORE!
Follow the NAMA's on Twitter @NativeAwards
Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NativeAwards/
Visit their YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/NativeMusicAwards
VOTED BEST MUSIC VIDEO
17th ANNUAL AWARDS
IN NIAGARA FALLS NEW YORK
Lil Mike & Funny Bone
AFTER PARTY AT PULSE ARENA
Special Guest Appearances by
Ashley Callingbull, Carsen Gray & DJ Shub
NBC's The Voice recent contestant, Brooke Simpson is 26 years old and is a full-blooded Native American from the Haliwa-Saponi tribe. Brooke is from Hollister, North Carolina and currently lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She grew up on tribal grounds with 4,000 Native Americans, including most of her family.
Below Brooke sings Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" during The Voice knockouts and absolutely nailing her audition. Brooke competed in the Playoff Round, landing third place but first in our hearts. https://www.nbc.com/the-voice/credits/credit/season-13/brooke-simpson
Jan Michael Looking Wolf performed his award-winning song, Live As One with the Oregon State University choirs and his ensemble. Live As One has received international radio play and won the award for Best Music Video at the Native American Music Awards in 2011 from a live taping of a special performance with native musicians from across the country. This version was specially arranged for choirs by OSU graduate student in Music Education, Danika Locey and conducted by Dr. Steven Zielke.
AWARD WINNING MUSICIAN & FLUTE PLAYER
JOSEPH FIRECROW WALKS ON
The Native American Music Community Mourns The Loss Of A National Treasure And Cultural Ambassador
JIMMY LEE YOUNG APPEARS IN NEW U2 VIDEO
Two time Native American Music Award Winner, Jimmy Lee Young appears in the new U2 video for the song, "One Tree Hill"! as the backdrop for U2' s 30th Anniversary Tour of, "Joshua Tree". Jimmy Lee Young' s song Apache is currently being played on Irish national radio, RTE 2 FM, Dublin , Ireland. Watch the Video below.
NAMA Hall of Famer, Link Wray honored with a new documentary and nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 
The documentary Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World, recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The documentary features NAMA Hall of Famer, Link Wray or the late Fred Lincoln “Link” Wray, Jr. and his seminal guitar instrumental “Rumble” along with other Native American Music Awards Honorees:
Link Wray Hall of Fame, inducted at the 8th Annual Awards.
Jimi Hendrix Hall of Fame 1st Inaugural Native American Music Awards;
Robbie Robertson Lifetime Achievement Award, 1st Inaugural Native American Music Awards,
Taboo Hall of Fame, 16th Annual Native American Music Awards,
Randy Castillo Lifetime Achievent as part of XIT at 2nd Annual Native American Music Awards;
Jesse Ed Davis dedication by John Trudell in acceptance of Living Legend Award at 1st Inaugural Awards
Buffy Sainte Marie Best Pop Artist, 1st Inagural Native American Music Awards;
Everyone Wins! Congratulations Taboo, Spencer & Doc Battiest, Supaman & the rest of the Magnificent 7. for MTV's BEST FIGHT AGAINST THE SYSTEM Winner: Taboo ft. Shailene Woodley – “Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL”,
Our recordings span from historical initiatives, to present day questions for the great leaders, and Native youth speaking louder than ever with their powerful raps about their poignant plights armed with a spirit of undaunted perseverance. No other organization can reflect such an impressive and diverse array of talent and soundscapes from all ages and tribal nations throughout the Americas.”
Founder/President
NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
The Native American Music Awards & Association is the World's Leading Resource for Contemporary and Traditional Native American Music Initiatives & Entertainers consisting of over 40,000 registered voting members and professionals in the field of Native American music and entertainment. We hold the largest Native American Music archive featuring a collection of over 10,000 audio and video recordings in all formats housed since 1990.
The Annual Native American Music Awards proudly honors the outstanding achievements of Native American performers from across the country in over 30 Awards categories. Since our inception in 1998, NAMA continues to foster pride, provide national exposure, and celebrate the gift of music tradition with others around the world.
It has been our personal and volunteer contributions, not to mention, our determination and dedication, that continually creates this magical evening of pride and musical excellence. None of this would be possible if not for our tireless volunteer staff, our national membership and the support of our donors. To all of you, we thank you. Next year, together, we celebrate 20 amazing years together.
The National Native American Music Hall of Fame
CONTACT US AT:
NAMALIVE@aol.com or NativeMusicAwards@gmail.com phone: 212 228 8300 fax: 646 688 6883
Address: PO BOX 1705 Lindenhurst, NY 11757
