KANENHI:IO SINGERS
BIOGRAPHY
The women of Kanenhi:io represent several nations within the First Nations' people and live in the Wahta Territory in Ontario, Canada. The name Kanenhi:io is a Mohawk word, meaning "the good seeds", which represents the songs, teachings and good way of life that the group shares with all others. In their five years together, Kanenhi:io promotes unity among nations, A philosophy evolved from the relationship between diverse nations of the women singing and travelling together. They share their songs with First Nation communities, Women's Healing and Wellness Conferences, international music festivals and Native Friendship Centres in Canada. As members of the Iroquois Singing Society, Kanenhi:io perform workshops about the drum, ceremonial songs, social songs, and teachings of the Spirit. Kanenhi:io's music is a series of uplifting chants accompanied by the Iroquoian water drum, hand drum and cow horn shakers. The Kanenhi:io CD is a blend of traditional songs, harmonies, and sounds composed by the lead singer Wathahine. The music collection was nominated for the Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for best contemporary/traditional CD. The recording was made possible through the Music Section of the Canada Council.
Listen to a song
PRESS
"...enchantress: songs written and arranged by 22 year old lead singer Wathahine...big voices" Geoff Chapman - The Toronto Star - January, 1999
"one of the best shows of the festival...the Canadian First Nations Kanenhi:io Singers in one of the folk festivals finest moments." Jennifer VanEvra - The Vancouver Sun - July 17, 2000
"...the voices of these women have to be experienced live to be truly appreciated" Calgary Folk Festival - July 2000
"...mesmerizing rhythmic chants" Rhythms of the World - Toronto Harbourfront - August 2000
"...album to hear" Geoff Chapman - The Toronto Star - August 2000
"...magnificent and spiritually uplifting" Bruce Barnett - Consul General - Canadian Embassy - Tokyo, Japan
"...the performance was one of my personal highlights of the festival" Phyllis Stenson - Artistic Director - Harrison Festival of the Arts
"...the minimal percussion was amazingly driving and their vocal intonations were uplifting." Aaron Cohen Chicago Tribune - Sept 2000
Selected Performances
Rhythms of the World - Harbourfront - Toronto
Calgary Folk Festival - Calgary
Vancouver Folk Festival - Vancouver
Harrison Festival of the Arts - B.C.
Winnipeg Folk Festival - Winnipeg International
Women's Day - Toronto
Toronto City Hall - Toronto
Folk Alliance Conference - Cleveland
The Lotus Festival - Bloomington, Indiana
Chicago World Music Festival - Chicago
Detroit Festival of the Arts - Detroit
Akasaka Hotel - Royal Gala - Tokyo, Japan
Millenium Parks - Abruzzo, Italy
Canadian Consulate - Milano, Italy
WOMEX - Berlin, Germany
Women in (e)motion - Bremen, Germany
Sunfest - London, Ontario
Ethno Ambient - Split, Bosnia
Rainforest Musicfest - Kuching, Malaysia
Summerfest - Slovenia