Nico Wind (Assiniboine and Ojibwe) and Karen Kitchen (Osage) – are gathering again to create a powerful melodic duo to honor Wisdom of the Elders and our history of cultural resilience. They will sing several songs, including the Wisdom theme song, “Wisdom of the Elders” written by Nico and sung by Karen and Nico.
Nico Wind Cordova (Assiniboine/Lakota/Ojibwe) is a musician, song writer, band leader and recording artist. After enjoying an extensive music career of more than 30 years with her bands, Nico returned to Portland, Oregon, to help found and serve on the board of the Wisdom of the Elders Project, co-producing and developing its radio and television series, serving as its music director and writing, recording and performing the theme song “Wisdom of the Elders.” She performed at Portland waterfront’s celebration, Jammin’ for Salmon celebration for two years with Arlie Neskahi and Painted Sky, and she recorded the lead song “Aw Na Winasha” for Marv Ross’s musical production,
Ghosts of Celilo.
Nico Wind and Karen Kitchen created the group Cedar Rose and sing traditional and contemporary native songs. Karen Kitchen is an enrolled member of the Osage Nation. She’s collaborated on musical projects with Marv Ross, The Trail Band, and many other well-known performers and is featured in the soundtrack to Gus Van Sant’s film, Mala Noche. Karen sings in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Native American vocables.
Cedar Rose has opened for native artists Kevin Locke, Joanne Shenandoah, Gary Small and Arlie Neskahi, among others. The duo, that sometimes includes guest musicians, has performed for the Art Train, Autumn Fest Celebration of Mt. Hood Cuisine Culture and Forest, Collage of Colors Festival, Zonta International, Chemawah Indian School Benefit Concert, Intel, Nike, KBOO American Indian Word and Music Festival, and many other events.
