The Porcupine Singers from South Dakota are well known throughout the United States and Canada as a traditional Lakota drum group. They are skilled singers of the traditional American Indian songs that are sung at Indian pow-wows and celebrations. The high quality of singing the have demonstrated over the years is readily apparent on this recording.
The Porcupine Singer traditional Indian music can be heard across this country from Canada to New Mexico from new York to Washington and numerous places in between. In their travels they have earned many top honors at Indian singing contests, and enjoy a fine reputation in Indian country for their brand of drumming and singing. Most recently, they won first place over twenty other groups at the United Tribes International Dancing and Singing Contest held annually in Bismarck, North Dakota.
During the past twelve years that the Porcupine Singers have been together they have dedicated themselves to the traditional customs and beliefs of the Indian people. Great sacrifices have been made by the individual singers of the group. From time to time they have fed large gatherings of people at pow-wow; they have sponsored traditional give-aways where items such as horses, Indian blankets, shawls, clothing and money were given away in acts of sharing as in the Indian way. They have demonstrated their love and respect for their brothers by honoring them with traditional Lakota honoring songs in times of mourning, sickness, or in memory of loved ones, veterans as well. Their greatest contribution has been the fostering of American Indian music. This effort has proven to be educational and enjoyable to many Indian people. It has been of utmost importance to the younger Indian generation.
The Porcupine Singers feel that their singing provides another opportunity for many people especially the young to witness again the beauty and strength that prevails in traditional Indian music, to learn from it, to enjoy it, the reaffirm the Indian ways.
The Porcupine Singers feel it is time to honor the age-old customs and practices. The Indian people have possessed music for centuries. They have had forefathers who have acted as educators of their culture. Thus, they have not utilized the whiteman's schools in learning the music of their people. Nonetheless, this music has survived through many attempts at suppressing it and has still maintained its beauty and strength.
The members of the Porcupine Singers like many others, are exemplary of the fine traditional Indian leadership that still prevails among their people. Music has been their tool in demonstrating leadership. Let us not forget those people who have done a great deal for their Indian brothers by tapping their own resources, talents and persistence. Each member of the group is dedicated to helping his respective community. In this group of singers there are three tribal councilmen, one school principal, one employment representative and one professor currently teaching at an Indian college. The others are also working for Indian people in meaningful capacities. By the way all group members have traditional Indian names. These men are well educated in the ways of their people and they share their knowledge in hopes of teaching the young, creating unity among tribes and most of all sharing the beauty of Indian music as well as the beauty of being Indian.
Perhaps after listening the songs you will agree with the bumpersticker saying, "Happiness is Porcupine Singers."