Albert Canadien
Albert Canadien sits in front of the microphone in a broadcast booth at the CFYK/CBC radio station hosting the popular music request show, 'Gather Round'. Yellowknife, 1960. (NWT Archives, Henry Busse, fonds accession number N-1979-052, item number 5574.)
South Slavey musician Albert Canadien is from Zhahti Kue, Fort Providence, Northwest Territories. He played guitar for his first fiddle dance when he was 14 years old.
In 1964, Albert went to school in Alberta where he joined a band of other young, indigenous musicians.
Through many opportunities and misfortunes, they became “The Chieftones”, Canada’s all Indian Band, who went on to tour the US with the Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, Diana Ross and many other iconic pop stars in the 1960s.
'The Chieftones', Edmonton, AB, 1964. L-R; Barry Clifford, Vince Clifford, Jack Cecil, Richard Douse (photo courtesy Angus Beaulieu)
L-R, unknown, Joachim Bonnetrouge, Alfred Lockhart, Bill Elliott, Albert Canadien. 1960-61, Akaitcho Hall. (photo Akaitcho Hall Photo Club)
Albert Canadien, 1960-61, Akaitcho Hall, Yellowknife, NT. (photo Akaitcho Hall Photo Club)
'The Chieftones' Canada's All Indian Band. Top L-R; Jack Cecil, Richard Douse, Vince Clifford, Bottom L-R; Albert Canadien, Barry Clifford. 1965
More about Albert Canadian
**Note from Pat: After talking with Albert Canadien, he explained he performed with the Chieftones for about 5 years between 1964 – 1969. After he left, the band members took on new stage names; Vince Clifford became Billy ThunderKloud / Barry Clifford – Barry Littlestar / Jack Cecil – Jack Wolf / Richard Douse – Richard Grayowl. This should help when comparing the names Albert mentions in his interview with information available on the internet.)
L-R, Gordon Cardinal, unknown, Violet Lafferty, unknown, Albert Canadien and Frank Lafferty, 1960-61 Akaitcho Hall. (photo Akaitcho Hall Photo Club)
L-R, Brian North, unknown, unknown, Willy Sake, Bill Elliott, Alfred Lockhart, Danny McDonald, Abert Canadien and Joachim Bonnetrouge. 1960-61, Akaitcho Hall, Yellowknife, NT (photo Akaitcho Hall Photo Club)
L-R, Willy Sake, Albert Canadien, Bill Elliot.1960-61, Akaitcho Hall, Yellowknife, NT (photo Akaitcho Hall Photo Club)
'The Chieftones', standing L-R - Jack Cecil, Richard Douse, Barry Clifford. Kneeling - Albert Canadien, mountain lion, Vincent Clifford. 1967 at Regina, SK Exposition, (photo Regina Leader Post)
Jack Cecil and Albert Canadien of 'The Chieftones'. 1967, Prince Rupert, BC. (photo courtesy Sheila Sperling)
'The Chieftones' fan mail stationery (photo courtesy Sheila Sperling)
'The Chieftones' with 'The Beach Boys'. standing L-R, Albert Canadien, Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson. kneeling - Jack Cecil, Richard Douse, Barry Clifford and Vincent Clifford. 1965 Milwaukee, WI. (photo by Jonas)
