About me

            Gabe Desrosiers is a highly respected and well recognized Ojibwa singer, dancer, and educator.  Born and raised in Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Desrosiers was taught the ancient life ways and language of his Ojibwa ancestors.  He identifies himself as being from the Bear Clan of the Ojibwa.  As a result of his traditional upbringing, Mr. Desrosiers was taught the sacredness of songs, stories and prayers.  As a young child, he took special interest in learning songs, thus, began singing at the age of six. 

Mr. Desrosiers is regarded for his gift of composing traditional Ojibwa songs styles as well as modern powwow songs.  He began composing Northern style powwow songs for the Whitefish Bay singers of the Whitefish Bay reserve in Northwestern Ontario and sang with them until 1991.  He left to lead his own drum group known as, Northern Wind, which is comprised of brothers, nephews, relatives, and close friends.  They have attained great prominence in Indian country and have been honored to host and attend many gatherings, powwows, educational presentations and other events.  Over the years, they have become one of the most respected drum groups on the North American powwow circuit.  The Northern Wind singers specialize in the song styles of the Ojibwa people of the woodlands, singing both traditional songs of the area, and continuing the tradition with many new songs mainly being composed by Mr. Desrosiers.

Mr. Desrosiers has traveled extensively both nationally and internationally as an educator.  He presents an accurate depiction of native peoples through his extensive knowledge of native languages and life ways.  In particular, he is a well known Grass Dancer, performing throughout North America and Eastern and Western Europe.  As a Grass Dancer, he has won many powwow competitions across North America and has been selected as a Head Man Dancer and other duties such as Arena Director and Head singing/dance judge for many contest powwows throughout Indian country.

 In Addition, Mr. Desrosiers has been nominated for numerous awards and has been honored to receive the Canadian Aboriginal Music Award, the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Award and the North American Indian Image award in excellence in American Indigenous music.Gabe is also on the Canadian JUNO Awards nomination committee, which is a huge privilege. 

Ultimately, uniting his multiple strengths, Mr. Desrosiers, serves as an ambassador of indigenous life ways.  As an educator, Mr. Desrosiers is strongly committed to fostering intercultural understanding through music and dance education and instruction.  He addresses his audience through utilizing his gift for being bilingual speaking in Ojibwa, and English.  His warm and informal lecture style promotes Ojibwa history and culture with song and dance performances.  His unique presentation style engages the audience with both educational and entertaining information. 

Gabe Desrosiers is available for lecture/demonstrations, solo song and dance performances, and powwow song and dance performance/demonstrations accompanied by the Northern Wind singers