Ohniakara

Genre: World
Niagara Region, Ontario Canada Contact

Ohnia:kara is a collective of many Indigenous nations.We have been together drumming, singing and dancing, since 2000. We have shared our gifts with audiences of all ages and cultures from all over Mother Earth. We have traveled to countless pow-wows and other events as educators through our music.

Artist Information

Biography

Niagara Music Awards 2009

!!!!WORLD GROUP of the YEAR!!!!

The Ohnia:kara Singers are a First Nations drum and dance group and the name Ohnia:kara is a Mohawk word describing “the neck between the two bodies of water” – the origin of the English word Niagara. Our collective belief is that music is our medicine. Various teachings from our diverse cultural backgrounds reflect this. Whereas, all people are an integral part of the Mother Earth family, the drum represents her heartbeat. There is no word for drum in our languages. In Odawa we call it “daywaygun”, which translates to “living heart” and is recognized as a Spirit, a grandparent with wise yet gentle teachings.

We are all dancing creations of the Universe, with music being the sound component of that growth for ourselves, our families, community and the world. It is our intention to carry on with the medicines of this living heart. We hold strong to our cultural teachings to promote empowerment and enlightenment by restoring, preserving and growing wholistically, offering a sense of inner peace and harmony for all the children of Mother Earth.

Instrumentation

James Shawana
Joe Shawana
Phil Davis
Bill Russ
Steve Baranyai
Mark Chindemi
Ken Johnson
Junior Redeye
Delbert Jonathan
Dave Labbe
Sean Vanderklis
Nikki Shawana
Marcella Shawana
Penny Bowers
Shannon Van Every
Courtney Purcer
Charlene Beaver
Adrienne Smoke
Miranda Edwards
Fran Davis
Korey Davis
Jake Davis

Discography

2009 - Clearing the Path CD

Audio

Video

Photo Gallery

  • Six Nations Fall Fair

  • Fort Erie Pow Wow 2009

  • Guelph University 2008

  • summer 2008

  • Tuscarora Pow Wow 2009

  • Wiinimkiikaa

  • Yellow Bird

  • FESS 2008

Press

Setlist

Powwow Songs ~ originals and covers for traditional dance styles. Pride ourselves in being able to keep the dancers dancing well past sundown.

Basic Requirements

Calendar

There are no upcoming dates at this time.