Lakota singer up for best new artist award

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – Gabrielle Knife doesn’t have a record deal – or even a manager – but she does have one thing: a best new artist nomination at the nation’s largest Native American music awards ceremony.

The Lakota Sioux singer from Rapid City is up for Debut Artist of the Year at the Native American Music Awards – or Nammy’s – this year, reported the Rapid City Journal.

She’ll travel to Niagra Falls, New York, this week to try and grab the honor at the 15th annual awards ceremony.

Knife said she recorded, mixed and produced her debut album last year all on her own.

“It was a challenge but it definitely paid off,” Knife said. “I have no record company or manager to promote me, either, so I’m doing it all as well. Talk about chasing your dreams.”

The album, “Ohiya Ku Winyan,” which translates to “Comes Home a Champion Woman,” is now on iTunes.

The Native American Music Awards “honors Indigenous people north and south of the US and Canadian borders,” according to its website.

Award nominees are selected among industry professionals and winners are selected, in part, from public online voting.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com