ARTIST BIO

Delphine Tsinajinnie (pronounced sin-a-jin-ee) is a descendant of traditional Blessingway and Nightway medicinemen of the Nihookáá’ Dine’é (People of the Earth). Her soulful performances of these traditional and original songs reflect the heritage and riches of her people and their continued reverence of their ancient ways.

Delphine is an internationally-published recording artist and was named the Native American Music Awardee as "Debut Artist of the Year". Delphine's debut album entitled “Mother's Word” is heard on over 300 world music and alternative music radio programs around the world.

Delphine has been singing since she was four years old. She is inspired by her study with indigenous elders via her father's research on Naabaahii Dine'é music and philosophy. She has performed for diverse venues in the United States, Mexico and Japan. Her resume lists World Music Festivals, PBS productions, college circuits, professional conferences, a high-security prison, and a television film. Delphine’s performance at the new National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian institution garnered rave reviews.  She has also provided vocals on Keith Secola's album "Acoustic Aroma" on the Akina Productions label. She is featured on Canyon Records' recent release “Enter>>Tribal” featuring world renown flautist R. Carlos Nakai. Her other contributions to compilation album projects include “Voices Across the Canyon Vol. 5”, and “2002 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow Magic.”

As a SAG (Screen Actors' Guild) eligible actor, Delphine, made her principal acting debut in the CBS broadcast of the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, "The Lost Child" starring Mercedes Rhuel, Jamey Sheridan, Tantoo Cardinal, and Irene Bedard. As a senior company member, Delphine has appeared in Actor's Workout's theatrical production of the American Film Institute-honored "Reaching" and co-starred in “Grandfather/Grandmother.” She has also sung the American National Anthem with Leon Gilliam of the classic group, The Platters, on a nationally televised production of the Guinness Book of World Records. She appears in the music video “Until the Eagle Falls” on MTV and VH-1 with mainstream R&B artist, Janice-Marie formerly of A Taste of Honey.

As a Yorke Bannard Scholar and as a Mitchell Scholar, Delphine is a candidate for her master's degree at the University of Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with researchships in Ocular Physiology and Cancer Genetics from Arizona State University. She is a recipient of prestigious scholastic awards such as the Tau Beta Pi/IBM Award, the Myrtle O'keaye Award for Excellence in Academia and Leadership, and the National Bausch and Lomb Science and Mathematics Award.  Delphine has also been recently inducted into the National Chancellor’s List, the Who’s Who of American graduate students.  She is also a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society of students that are ranked in the top-ranked 20th percentile in the nation.  She has also taught Navajo language as a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University.

When asked about her family history in show business she smiled and answered, “Well, my paternal-grandmother was an extra in an Elvis Presley movie.” On the topic of beginning to sing long before she began speaking in full sentences she replied, “I consider song to be my first language...music is the language with which I express myself most effectively. Each song that has chosen me as a medium has a personal story to tell sculpted with my Stanislavkian-triggered emotions.”

Delphine is working on her second solo album on the Canyon Records label. Her talents have been released on the following Canyon products:

Mother’s Word (CR-6325)
Enter>>Tribal (CR-7043)
Voices Across the Canyon Vol. 5 (CR-7056)

Delphine Tsinajinnie's musical artistry has garnered the following recognition:

* 2002 Native American Music Award for Best Compilation of the Year for Voices Across the Canyon (Collaborator)
* 2001 Native American Music Award for Debut Artist of the Year for Mother's Word
* International New Age Voice Music Award Finalist for “Best Native American Album of the Year” for Mother's Word
* 2002 American Indian Radio on Satellite Network: Featured Artist
* 2002 Native American Music Awards (AKA: Nammys) Finalist:
- Best Compilation of the Year Album for Enter>>Tribal (Collaborator)
- Best Music Video of the Year for “Until the Eagle Falls” (Associate Producer)
* 2001 Native American Music Awards (AKA: Native Grammys) Finalist:
- Best Female Artist of the Year for Mother's Word
- Best Debut Artist/Group of the Year for Mother's Word
- Best Traditional Album of the Year for Mother's Word
* Chosen as One of Alaska's Favorite Albums of 2000 90.3 FM KNBA-Anchorage, Alaska
* Numerous reviews in national and international music review publication
* Archived in the United States Library of Congress
* First-round nominee for the 43rd Annual Grammy Award for the “Best Native American Album” for Mother's Word.
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CANYON RECORDS
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85017
(800) 267-1141 (602) 279-9233 (fax)
www.canyonrecords.com

“My purpose for sharing these songs with the world is implanted in my hope for global harmony via symbiotic respect of all world cultures. Science and history have taught us that highly diverse species have a greater probability of survival. Applying this concept to the indispensable continuance of indigenous languages, songs, and philosophies requires us to create a receptive environment for enculturation to occur. May these songs catalyze the fight for human survival.”
Delphine Tsinajinnie, 2000