Carl Quinn facts for kids

Carl Quinn is a talented Cree First Nations singer and songwriter from the Saddle Lake First Nation in Alberta, Canada. He is also a traditional pow-wow dancer and sings with the Pisimoyapi drum group. Carl Quinn has created his own unique music style, which he calls "New World." This style mixes pop, rock, traditional pow-wow music, and electronica.

He has released three albums. These albums share stories about life, love, traditions, and important values. All his songs are sung in his Native Cree (Nehiyo) language. In 2003, Carl Quinn won the Best Traditional Album, Contemporary Award at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMAs) for his album Nehiyo. In 2005, he won the Best Songwriter award at the CAMAs for his songs "Ni Ototem" and "Otapihkes," both from his Ni Ototem album.

Carl Quinn's Journey

Carl Quinn grew up on the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. He was one of twelve children in his family. Throughout his life, he has had many different jobs. He was a hunter, a trapper, a farm hand, and a construction worker. He even worked as a human resource consultant.

But Carl Quinn is best known for being a leader in his community. He was the youngest person ever elected as Chief of the Saddle Lake reserve. He is also a huge musical inspiration to his people.

Musical Beginnings

Carl Quinn's first musical influences came from his Cree heritage. He listened to songs from traditional ceremonies, round dances, handgames, and pow-wows. When he was fifteen, he received his first guitar. He started playing music that sounded like folk and rock from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Eventually, Carl Quinn began writing his own songs. He combined sounds from his favorite artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, and Dwight Yoakam with his traditional musical background. This mix created his special "New World" sound.

Carl Quinn's Albums

Here are the albums Carl Quinn has released:

Albums

• Ni Ototem (release date unknown)

• Nehiyo (released January 18, 2005)

1. Nosisim
2. Kisenapew
3. Ka Sipihkosit Atahkos (This song is about how strong the "Nehiyo" people are and how their identity has been challenged.)
4. Nipin (This is a lively and fun summer song.)
5. Pakamapiskwewin (This song is a funny look at golf.)
6. Kiwihtamawin
7. Kise-Yotin
8. Sakastew
9. Takawakin Awasis

• Nimosom (released 2007)

1. Ahaw
2. Akitah
3. Awasis
4. Iyiniw
5. Meena
6. Nehiyo
7. Nemakikwiy
8. Newayak
9. Nimosom
10. Nipahwih
11. Nitanis
12. Nohta
13. O Kistin
14. Onitopayo
15. Otapihkes
16. Pisimoyapi
17. Sakihitwask