Shelley Morningsong – Love Medicine

The 16th Annual Native American Music Awards were announced on Saturday September 17th, 2016. A special appearance was made by the family of nominee Joseph Flying Bye, whose recording, Putting The Moccasins Back On, was posthumously nominated in two categories. His son, Allen Flying Bye and ten other family members, drove all the way from Standing Rock, North Dakota to the show. In a display of unity and solidarity, they received an overwhelming response from the attendees supporting their opposition of the Dakota Access pipeline. Recently, nominees of the Native American Music Awards contributed their songs to a free CD titled, Water Is Life to support the Standing Rock Sioux Community.

Traditional performances were held by the Awards’ youngest nominee and rising star, 12 year-old hand drummer, Nizhoo Sullivan, as well as Theresa Bear Fox and the Akwesasne Women Singers, and Joseph Fire Crow who also picked up the rhythm with a contemporary song performed with the Ed Koban house band.

Shelley Morningsong

Shelley Morningsong took the coveted Artist of the Year award, and ruled the stage with a notable performance of singing and playing flute as her husband and musical partner, Fabian Fontenelle performed in his stunning ceremonial outfit.

Native American Music Awards 2016 Winners

Artist of the Year

Shelley Morningsong

Love Medicine

Best Blues Recording

All Our Relations

Blue Mountain Tribe

Best Country Recording

Reservation Girl

Desert West

Debut Artist

Logan Staats

Goodbye Goldia

Debut Duo Of The Year

David Rose & Pete Barnhart

Falling To Grace

Best Female Vocalist

Fawn Wood

Kikawiynaw

Best Folk Spoken Word Recording

Native American Songs & Stories for Children

Sue Straw

Flutist of The Year

Rona Yellow Robe

Shoot For the Moon

Group of the Year

Rain Dance

Lil Mike & FunnyBone

Best Inspirational Recording

Heart and Soul

Conrad Benally

Best Historical Recording

Mackenzie’s Raid

7 Trees

Best Instrumental Recording

The Navajo Piano

Connor Chee

Best Male Vocalist

Roman Orona

Circling Spirits Contemporary Apache Songs

Best Pop Recording

Stupid In Love

Spencer Battiest

Best Pow Wow Recording

Born To Sing

Young Bear

Best Rap/Hip Hop Recording

The Addiction

Night Shield

Record of the Year

Bridge Creek Road

Jim Boyd

Best Rock Recording

Spirit Cry

Spirit Cry

Single of the Year

Come and Get Your Love

B. of Dakota South Records

Best Traditional Recording

Sisters in Spirit

Women of Heart

Best Music Video

Rez Life

Blue Flamez

Best Waila Recording

In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Father & Uncle

Family Pride

Native Heart

Michael Longrider

In Through the Mist

Entertainers of the Year

Williams & Ree

Lifetime Achievement

Joseph FireCrow

Living Legend

Saginaw Grant

Hall Of Fame

Taboo