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. In 1996, he won a Juno Award for his album ETSI Shon, which means "Grandfather Song". This award was for Indigenous Music Album of the Year. His music was even featured at a Native American photo exhibit during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Early Life and Music
Jerry Alfred was born in September 1955 in Mayo, Yukon. He grew up speaking the Northern Tutchone language. When he was five, he was sent to residential schools. These schools taught in English and were often far from home. Even so, Jerry kept his traditional language alive.
He was born into the Crow Clan. From birth, he was given the special title of "Keeper of the Songs." This important role meant he was responsible for finding and keeping traditional songs. He also performed these songs at special events for his people, the Selkirk First Nation. As the Song Keeper, he also represented his clan at potlatches. These were important meetings with other Indigenous groups in Yukon.
Jerry's musical journey started in residential school, where he sang in a choir. His parents bought him his first guitar when he was seven. He started learning seriously as a teenager. He was inspired by musicians like Bob Dylan, and you can still hear that influence in his 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 Selkirk people's Land Claim. An agreement was finally reached in 1995. In 1996, he received his Juno Award with his band, Jerry Alfred & The Medicine Beat.
Albums and Legacy
In 1994, Jerry's father encouraged him to reconnect with his people's traditional songs. After his father passed away, Jerry was inspired to release his first album. It was called "Etsi Shon" (Grandfather Song) and came out 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. These are "Nendaa" (Go Back) in 1996 and "Kehlonn" in 1998. Jerry hopes to pass on the important role of Song Keeper to his oldest daughter one day.
Discography
- 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
