Cultures at Risk Presenter Biographies

Joe Starlight

First Nations drumming

Joe was born in Calgary in 1969. His father was of the Tsuutina First Nation, and his mother of the Blackfoot Siksika First Nation. He started singing at age 12, learning traditional singing and drumming from his father and from the Blackfoot A1 Club singers, a well-known group of the time. His music has taken him throughout North America, to Europe, and to Japan. He has sung for HM Queen Elizabeth, and for HRH Prince Charles and HRH Prince Andrew. Joe is now teaching his 13-year-old son the traditions he learned from his father.