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December 13, 2006

Prince George Citizen

Article by Frank Peebles

Once again he didn't win, but once again Art Napoleon reaped the benefits of being nominated for a major national music award. The Canadian Folk Music Awards handed out their trophies on Sunday night at a gala awards show in Edmonton, and Napoleon of Moberly Lake, was up for best aboriginal album. The eventual winner was Wayne Lavallee (a feature performer at the 2006 Prince George Folkfest), but Napoleon was there to mingle with the talent assembled for the event. "There was a little bit of networking afterwards. It was quite laid back," Napoleon said. "I have a good time wherever I go," even though the gig he had been promised was cancelled at the last minute and the business component of the event was not as strong as the other awards shows he was part of this year. What impressed Napoleon the most was being nominated alongside some real hot properties in Canadian music all tucked into the aboriginal category. In addition to Lavallee, he was up against DiggingRoots, Laura Vinson and Don Freed. "To be honest, I thought it was going to go to DiggingRoots, who performed at the event and their album is getting a lot of acclaim, but I am happy for Wayne, he's a nice guy," Napoleon said. "Aboriginal music is definitely booming right now. I remember a time when it was hard to find an aboriginal album and now there are tonnes. Out of Manitoba alone there are hundreds coming out of the woodwork because they have a provincial cultural music program there. Nationally, there is a growing underground music scene most Canadians are not aware of. It is starting to come into the mainstream, and it is great that the mainstream music awards all seem to have an aboriginal category." Napoleon was performing overtly aboriginal content long before it was fashionable, when the only others doing so were names like Buffy Ste. Marie, Kashtin, Laura Vinson and Susan Aglukark. Now the singer/songwriter from Moberly Lake just north of Prince George is considered a pioneer and a contemporary in the genre.