Making a welcome return to Victoria Park after appearing in our 2021 virtual festival, TD Sunfest Connected, the Eagle Flight Singers are a professional First Nations group based in London, Ontario, but with an extensive travel history in the Great Lakes region and beyond.  Honored as World Music Group of the Year at the 2018 London Music Awards, the ensemble consists of fathers, sons and close friends of Plains Cree, Ojibway and Haudenosaunee decent. 

Eagle Flight sings in what’s known as “Straight Northern Original” in the “Pow-wow” style, which originated in the western states and provinces. Their performances, at many educational and professional events as well as festivals, consist of structured vocal compositions (2-3 minutes in duration) accompanied by a raw hide drum.  This rhythmic combination is meant to invoke the spirit of the listener, as First Nation’s people believe that feelings of elation are medicine for the mind, body and soul. Pow-wow singing is derived from ancient ceremonial practises; however, after a half-century of gift giving and sharing, it has evolved into more of an inter-tribal ritual spread across North America.  The troupe performs in the name of positive spiritual uplift: origin stories, dance exhibitions and audience participation are a vital part of its exhilarating, high-energy shows.