Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

On Saturday, November 6th, 1999 the Second Annual Native American Music Awards was held, at the Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The event featured performances by; Bill Miller, Primeaux & Mike, Robert Tree Cody, Arigon Starr, Wayquay, Natay, Native Roots, Chief Jim Billie, and Jim Boyd of Smoke Signal's. A tribute to Jim Thorpe was presented by Jack Gladstone.

Many more special guests attended this years celebration of Native American Indian musical accomplishments, such as the family of Olympic Champion Jim Thorpe, Wes Studi, a musician but better known for his part in Last of the Mohicans.Rodney Grant of Dances With Wolves and John Trudell, respected artist of the spoken word and well known for his part in Thunderheart.

Hank Williams III was induced into the Hall of Fame. Tom Bee received the Lifetime Achievement award and Chief Jim Billie the Living Legend award and was also voted Debut Artist of the Year. The Jim Thorpe Sports Award went to none other than the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team.

Bill Miller was chosen for the Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist and also voted Best Folk/Country Artist or Group. "Ghost Dance" was voted Song of the Year and Miller was also voted Songwriter of the Year for Ghost Dance.

Joanne Shenandoah took the award for Best Female Artist and Shenandoah's "Orenda", produced Silver Wave was voted Best Traditional Recording.

The Best Radio Station for 1999 is KTNN, based in Window Rock, Arizona.

Indigeneous was chosen for Group of the Year and also winning in the catagory for Best Blues/Jazz Artist or Group and voted Best Pop Artist or Group while Litefoot was chosen Best Rap/Hip Hop Artist.

The Best Pow Wow Recording went to Soar for the "Gathering of Nations". The Best Instrumental Recording is Red Wind" produced by Canyon Records for Nakai, Eaton, Clipman.

The Best New Age Recording, the mixing of traditional instruments with other sounds, is "Maze" by Robert Tree Cody produced by Canyon Records. Best Compilation Recording is "Smoke Signals" produced by TVT, Various.

The Best Children's Recording for 1999 is "To All Our Precious Ones" from Cool Runnings, P.M. Begay.

The Best World Music Recording is, Destined Love Traveler by Koljademo, while Arigon Starr's, Meet the Diva, was voted Best Independent Recording. The Best Music Video is Navigate by Wayquay. Jerry Alfred's Kehlonn, took Best Canadian Contemporary Recording while the award for Best Latin American Recording went to "A Native American Odyessy", Various Artists. The Best Canadian Traditional Recording is "4 Life" by Eyabay

The Record of the Year for 1999 is "Contact From The Underworld of Redboy" by Robbie Robertson. Robertson was also voted Best Producer.

Mary Youngblood was voted Flutist of the Year

The Best Historical Recording came from the Canyon Vintage Collection by Various Artists. Raymond A. Boley took the award for Native Heart.