Joseph is a member of Pakitahaw Sahgaehican (Net Casting Lake) known today 
as Sturgeon Lake First Nation. Ka Nehiyawicik, those who speak the exact 
language are his tribal affiliation; or First Nation if you wish. His 
Spirit name is too long to type so he prefers to use his 'other' spirit 
name. 
Relatives are important so Joseph would like to indicate that he is the 
eldest of twelve siblings. To name them might create confusion so he's 
decided to dispense with that information.  His mother Irene Ratt 
(Naytowhow) originates from Sucker Lake, SK.  His father Andrew (Anias) 
Naytowhow comes from Sturgeon Lake First Nation. 
As a child drumming at four o'clock a.m. by his grandfather (Big) John 
Naytowhow not only provided a much needed wake-up call, but also formed 
the foundation for recalling the 'kayas nikamowin' (long ago song and style 
of music) that are his inspiration for the hybrid contemporary First 
Nation music he creates today.  Joseph's grandfather was well known for 
such ritual music commonly used in Chicken Dance, Round Dance, Sweatlodge 
and Sun Dance ceremonies. His grandmother Annie Rabbitskin was a master 
herbalist. That explains Joseph's tendency to forage and sometimes get 
lost for hours in the backwoods of his present home Saskatoon, 
Saskatchewan, Canada, World.
In the year 2000 Joseph co-created a CD (Circle Dish) with Cheryl 
L'Hirondelle self titled Nikamok. Briefly, the album is a compilation of 
rhythms and sounds one would hear within the social and ceremonial 
circles;  in technical terms it is referred to as contemporary 
First Nation/Metis hybrid music.  You'd have to hear them live to 
really appreciate their sound.
Along with singing, Joseph likes to tell a story or two, a talent he picked 
up from listening to Elders, storytelling tapes, more Elders and reading 
short stories. He has been telling stories to adults and children alike 
across Canada for the past ten years. At one time he told stories to get 
out of difficult situations.  Now he tells as part of his basic need to 
survive as an artist. Legends, trickster tales, Wetigo mythological 
creature, mysterical and amazing stories are part of his good medicine 
bag.
Joseph is willing to travel just about anywhere on this planet to sing and 
tell. Tobacco, the traditional offering for accessing the rich Nehiyaw 
oral stories will not be refused along with the other necessary 
appropritate miscellaneous renumeration. Ekosi Pitama! (That is all for 
now!)
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