Jerry Alfred facts for kids

Jerry Alfred (born in 1955 in Mayo, Yukon) is a talented Northern Tutchone musician. He lives in Pelly Crossing, Yukon. Jerry Alfred won a special award called a Juno Award in 1996 for his album ETSI Shon, which means "Grandfather Song." This award was for the Best Aboriginal Recording of the Year. His music was even played at a photo exhibit about Native Americans during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Early Life and Music Journey

Jerry Alfred was born in September 1955 in Mayo, Yukon. He grew up learning the traditional ways of his people and speaking the Northern Tutchone language. Even though he was sent to English-speaking schools when he was five, he kept his language skills strong.

Jerry was born into the Crow Clan. He inherited an important role called "Keeper of the Songs" from his father. This meant he was responsible for finding and keeping old traditional songs. He also performed these songs at special events for his people, the Selkirk First Nation. As the "Keeper of the Songs," Jerry also represented his clan at potlatches. These were important meetings with other Indigenous communities in the Yukon.

Jerry Alfred has made his special title into a career. He takes traditional Tutchone music and adds modern sounds from the 20th century. His musical training began when he sang in a choir at school. His parents bought him his first guitar when he was seven. He started learning seriously as a teenager, inspired by the famous musician Bob Dylan. You can still hear Bob Dylan's influence in Jerry Alfred's music today.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Jerry Alfred played a big part in talks with the Government of Canada. These talks were about the land claim of the Selkirk people. An agreement was reached in 1995. In 1996, Jerry Alfred and his band, The Medicine Beat, won a Juno Award for their music.

In 1994, Jerry's father encouraged him to reconnect with his people's songs. After his father passed away, Jerry was inspired to release his first album, "Etsi Shon" (Grandfather Song), in 1994. This album helped keep the music and language of the Selkirk people alive. Since then, Jerry Alfred and his band, Medicine Beat, have released two more albums: "Nendaa" (Go Back) in 1996, and "Kehlonn" in 1998.

Today, Jerry Alfred hopes to pass on the role of Song Keeper to his oldest daughter, Cenjeya, whose name means "Cute one." He is teaching her and his youngest daughter, Saanuwa, whose name means "precious one," the traditions and music of their people.

Music Albums

• Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat (1994) Etsi Shon: Grandfather Song (Whitehorse, Independent production by Jerry Alfred)
• Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat (1996) Nendaä: Go Back (Whitehorse, Etsi Shon Productions) Caribou Records 7 7863 105962 8
• Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat (1998) Kehlonn (Whitehorse, Jerry Alfred) Caribou Records 7 78631 98302 0

See also

• Music of Canada
• Aboriginal music of Canada
• First Nations music
• Jim Robb (painter)
• List of Canadian musicians