http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8611

Aboriginal Icon Rocks On

Tara W. Pretends Eagle 2/20/2007

No one is more surprised about where his music has taken him in just two
years than the Cree high school teacher from the Goodfish Lake First Nation
in Alberta. After a hiatus from music, W.T. Goodspirit rekindled his love
for music and soon after, entered the ''Aboriginal Icon'' singing
competition.

Goodspirit was one of hundreds of First Nation, Inuit and Metis performers
who auditioned for a shot at the title. He eased through the local and
regional levels and was named one of seven finalists on ''Aboriginal
Icon,'' a program that is modeled after the television show ''Canadian
Idol'' and draws aboriginal contestants from across Canada. At the finals
in the spring of 2005, Goodspirit sang Jack Green's ''Statue of a Fool''
and Alabama's ''Mountain Music,'' and the title of Aboriginal Icon was
garnered.

''Before 'Aboriginal Icon,' I only sang cover songs. After I won, I started
to write music and brought out my true capabilities that I did not know I
had. I realized that recording my own music was a dream come true,''
Goodfish explained.

His grand prize was a recording contract with Sunshine Records, the company
that released his debut compact disc, ''Give Me a Sign,'' in June. ''Give
Me a Sign,'' a unique collection of aboriginal country rock music,
showcases Goodspirit's strong baritone voice, which sounds like a cool
blend of the best of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Whether singing a love
song or an honor song, or about the harsh realities of reservation life,
''Give Me a Sign'' is an offering not to be missed.

Shortly after the CD release, Goodspirit took his first-ever plane ride to
perform at the Six Nations Kahenstaton Benefit Concert in support of the
Six Nations' land reclamation issues. He was featured alongside Native
American Music Award winners Joseph Fire Crow and Keith Secola, as well as
Six Nations' own Derek Miller.

In the last weekend of November, Goodspirit flew to Toronto for the 8th
Annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, where ''Give Me a Sign'' was a
finalist for Best Country Album. While his CD was not chosen for the award,
Goodspirit was still treated like a celebrity: he watched the show from a
front-row seat and performed throughout the weekend.

Goodspirit said he was ''very honored to be a part of the awards and proud
to represent the Cree First Nation's people'' at the awards.

Goodspirit is father to three daughters and is a full-time Cree language
and social studies teacher in his home community, in addition to his
musical pursuits. He continues to reside on the Goodfish Lake First Nation.