Eagle Flight Group
The Eagle Flight Group is a professional First Nations group based in London, Ontario, with an extensive travel background in the Great Lakes Region and Beyond. The group is made up of fathers, sons, and close friends who are of Plains Cree, Ojibway, and Haudenosaunee descent.
Map of Plains Cree territory.
Map of Saugeen Ojibway Nation (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation).
Map of Haudenosaunee territory.
Eagle Flight Singers sing in what’s known as “Straight Northern Original”. The pow-wow style originated in the Western states and provinces. Their performances consist of vocal compositions, usually 2-3 minutes in duration, and are accompanied by a rawhide drum. The delivery of their performance is meant to invoke the spirit of the listener, demonstrating their belief that feelings of elation are medicine for the soul, body, and mind. Eagle Flight Singers were honoured as World Music Group of the Year at the 2018 Forest City London Music Awards.
Eagle Flight Singers performed at London’s Annual Sunfest in July of 2024. A performance of five jingle-dress dancers and a traditional exhibition song opened their show. Among them was an 11-year-old dancer named Ivey Sands. This performance was followed by the Lady’s Dance of Respect, which pays tribute to Indigenous women. A highlight of the performance was when 22-year-old Liam Sands (pictured below) wore fancy regalia and danced with whip sticks. The finale encouraged the crows to join the performers in a Cree round dance. This performance was an incredible highlight of local Indigenous musicians and performers.
Citations
Baleeiro, B. (2024, July 5). Sunfest: A three-act music sampler from the London Festival | london free press. London Free Press. https://lfpress.com/entertainment/local-arts/sunfest-a-three-act-music-sampler-from-the-london-festival
Eagle Flight Group. London Music Office. (n.d.). https://www.londonmusicoffice.com/artists/eagle-flight-singers