Northern Cree & Bullhorn: Two Championship Drum Groups Bringing the Power to Powwow Dance Championships #2

By Patrick Mitsuing | Founder of Powwow Times and the Powwow Dance Championships

The Drum Groups Make a Powwow Come Alive

Imagine Saturday night at a powwow. The dancers are dressed in their best regalia, the arena is packed, and everybody is excited. But there’s something that can take an amazing powwow and turn it into an unforgettable one: the drum groups. For our second Powwow Dance Championships, we’re bringing together not just world-class dancers, but two of the most incredible singing groups you’ll ever hear: Northern Cree and Bullhorn Singers. If you’ve been part of the powwow world for any amount of time, you know how big these names are. If you’re new to powwow, imagine a championship sporting event and a world-class live concert all in one.

Northern Cree: The Drum Group I Grew Up Listening To

I grew up in Saskatchewan. As a young Fancy Dancer, a lot of the powwows we travelled to were in Saskatchewan, and we’d dip into Alberta every once in a while. Every so often, we’d run into Northern Cree. Man, those were exciting powwows. Even as a kid, I knew these singers were special. Northern Cree had some of the most wicked Men’s Fancy Dance songs you could dance to. And let me tell you, they weren’t easy songs. You had to listen closely to the rhythm and changes in the song. They pushed you to bring your best footwork and your best moves. I watched Northern Cree win championship after championship, and I saw how they could change the whole energy of an arena.

Watch Northern Cree Sing

Here’s a Northern Cree performance so you can hear the power of this music for yourself.

Watch this performance on YouTube

What Makes a Jamming Powwow?

There’s something we say in our world: Man, that was a jamming powwow! The dancers bring their best moves, the crowd cheers, and the singers make everybody want to dance. A group like Northern Cree can make that happen. And their reputation goes beyond the powwow trail. Northern Cree has received nine Grammy nominations and multiple JUNO nominations. I’ve seen crowds gather just to hear them. And that’s one component we’re bringing to the Championships.

Bullhorn Singers: Top of the Line

Now let’s talk about Bullhorn. Man, I can’t say enough about these guys. Bullhorn comes from Kainai Nation in southern Alberta, and Billy Wadsworth leads the group. I remember being at Four Bears in North Dakota, surrounded by incredible championship drum groups. What stood out to me was the crowd gathered around Bullhorn. It was absolutely massive. People were there to hear them sing, and they took first place in the singing contest. Watching them, you could understand why. The energy, the talent, the way the crowd responded—absolutely deadly.

Watch Bullhorn Singers

Here’s Bullhorn in action. Listen to the singing, the rhythm, and the energy they bring.

Watch this performance on YouTube

And Those Chicken Dance Songs!

If you’ve watched a really good Men’s Chicken Dance competition, you know how incredible the footwork and musicality can be. And when Bullhorn sings for Chicken Dance? Man. Some of the best singing you’ll hear. Everybody wants that drum. A great drum group doesn’t just provide background music. The singers and the dancers create something together. The right song can bring something out of a dancer that you might not see otherwise.

These Are the Drums Families Request for Their Specials

At major powwows, families often host special contests to honour someone or celebrate an occasion. And when they want a special to be unforgettable, they hand-pick the drum groups. Northern Cree, could you sing for our special? Bullhorn, could you sing for our special? These are the groups people ask for when the moment matters. So imagine having both singing at the same championship event.

It’s More Than Just a Dance Competition

We’ve got elite dancers going head-to-head, championship judging, fighter-style introductions, and the excitement of finding out who will win. Now add Northern Cree and Bullhorn singing live. They’ll alternate between battles, bringing their distinctive sounds to the arena. The dancers have to respond to the songs they hear. We’re bringing together world-class dancing and world-class singing. It’s a live concert and a championship event all in one. For someone attending their first powwow event, I can’t imagine a better introduction.

Our Singers Deserve the Spotlight Too

My goal has always been to let the world know who our champions are. Usually I’m talking about dancers, but I want the world to know our singers too. Think of the practice, travelling, sacrifice and dedication it takes to become a championship drum group. Inside the powwow world, they’re household names. Outside it, somebody might be hearing them for the first time. Maybe that person leaves the Championships as a Northern Cree or Bullhorn fan. Maybe they start following the music and discovering more Indigenous singers. That’s what excites me.

Thank You to Northern Cree and Bullhorn

To Steve Wood and everyone with Northern Cree, and to Billy Wadsworth and everyone with Bullhorn: thank you for agreeing to be part of the Powwow Dance Championships. I grew up dancing to this music, watched these groups win championships, and experienced what their singing brings to the arena. Now we get to put them together on one stage. I’m genuinely grateful, and I’m so excited for October 24.

Come Hear These Championship Drums Live

Powwow Dance Championships #2
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Red Deer Resort & Casino, Red Deer, Alberta.
Featuring live singing by Northern Cree and Bullhorn alongside some of the world’s best powwow dancers in head-to-head championship battles. If you’ve been around powwow for years, you already know how special this is. If you’ve never experienced one before, come feel the energy for yourself. Get your tickets at PWTPowwow.com.

Learn More About the Championships

• Why I Created the Powwow Dance Championships
• Meet the Champions
• Why We’re Putting the World’s Best Dancers Head-to-Head

Northern Cree Grammy nomination information: Recording Academy. JUNO nominations: JUNO Awards.

Patrick Mitsuing is the founder of Powwow Times, creator of the Powwow Dance Championships and a World Champion Men’s Fancy Dancer.