Shingoose

Curtis Jonnie (26 October 1946 – 12 January 2021), better known by his stage name Shingoose, was an Ojibwe singer and songwriter from Canada. He played in Roy Buchanan's band during the early part of his career. He also recorded with Bruce Cockburn in his first album, Native Country. Shingoose was inducted into the Manitoba Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

Early life Shingoose was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on 26 October 1946. He was a member of the Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation.

Career Shingoose returned to Winnipeg in 1973. Inspired by the contemporaneous American Indian Movement, he began performing as a singer-songwriter, adopting his great-grandfather's name. His first recording, Native Country in 1975, featured contributions from Bruce Cockburn. That album was the only one released on the Indigenous record label founded by him named "Native Country". Even though the label existed only for a brief period of time, Shingoose was described as a "visionary ahead of his time" for having created it. In that same decade, he signed a songwriting deal with Glen Campbell for five years. The partnership eventually folded when Campbell changed his musical focus. He was also a correspondent on First Nations issues for CTV's Canada AM.

Shingoose hosted a three-part documentary series for CBC Radio in 1991 on First Nations music. He also worked in aboriginal programming and policy development for TVOntario, He later served as chair of the Juno Awards committee administering the Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year, and raised funds for an aboriginal cultural centre in Winnipeg. His song "Treaty Rights" was adopted as an anthem of the 2007 Aboriginal Day of Action.

Later life and death Shingoose had a stroke in 2012 that left him with partial paralysis. is featured on the 2014 compilation album Native North America, Vol. 1. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Albums Native Country (1975) Ballad of Norval (1979) Natural Tan (1989)