DESCRIPTION: First Nations people sing and drum because it moves our consciousness to the inner worlds of vision, experience and learning. Prior to European contact, Native people did not have written languages; therefore stories told through songs were an essential part of preserving cultures, histories and spirituality. In other words, our music is beyond talent, beyond art; it is a basic human need to express emotions in a way that satisfies the whole self and to be remembered. Wind Centre expresses all this through a combination of traditional and contemporary First Nations music. Some are mystical from Shannon and Sandy's dreams; two are children's songs, because we spend so much time singing them in educational systems across Turtle Island, we thought educator's would like to teach them to their kids; others are Traditional Indigenous chants sung in Sm'algyax, Lakhota and Ojibwa. We hope you love the songs as we do. Wilwilaaysk. All My Relations.BIOGRAPHIES SHANNON THUNDERBIRD is descended from the wise people of the Coast Tsimshian First Nation (Northern British Columbia). She is an International Speaker/Educator, Singer-Songwriter, Author, and Traditional Teacher on Indigenous Culture, History and Spirituality. She is both a guardian of cultural traditions and a vivid contemporary performer. Over the years she has delivered nearly fifteen hundred memorable performances to thousands of people. As Artistic Director of Teya Peya Productions, which she founded in 1991, she is dedicated to the elevation of the human spirit through time-honoured medicine wheel teachings, in other words,"Soul Speak." Using a combination of Arts and Education as the basis for presentations in schools, she offers a circle of entertaining, educational and alternative programs that promote and celebrate First Nations cultural teachings, history and human spirituality in a contemporary manner, that reaches people of all ages, and cultures. She takes audiences on inspirational and often humorous journeys of self-discovery. She is a classically trained singer, whose emotionally powerful voice sings of the wisdom and knowledge of ages past. As a Speaker, using wit and wisdom she challenges people to alter and elevate the way they look at life. Medicine wheel/Character Education, Cultural & Human Diversity issues offer a universal message of hope, inclusiveness and inter-connectedness. She has touched the hearts of audiences all over the world as they are introduced to the relevance of the enriching and often magical messages from North America's First People. SANDY HORNE is a Singer/Songwriter and one of Canada’s top female electric bass players. She is a founding member of the Juno-nominated, iconic (1980s) Canadian band, ‘Spoons’. She has performed all over Canada and the United States. In 2003, she joined forces with Shannon Thunderbird and tours with her in numerous productions, including, Sweet Thunder Medicine Wheel, Eagle Thunder Medicine Wheel, Thunder Wolf Big Drums and Vocals, Thunder Rolling In The Mountains and their popular musical, Daughter of the Copper Shield. She is also a member of the Thunderbird Native Cultural Theatre, Teya Peya Production's full theatre group.As a duo, Shannon and Sandy have written powerful music that seeks always to elevate Indigenous people. Their first CD together,"Wind Centre" is a direct result of their close friendship, artistic collaboration, beautiful singing voices and dedication to all things Indigenous.