Internationally acclaimed music group The Spiritual Warriors create music inspired by the land and life in the coastal mountains of the Lil’wat Nation (British Columbia, Canada). With their unique blend of Indigenous chants and contemporary roots, rock and reggae, The Spiritual Warriors are distinctly West Coast. Passionate about preserving and promoting their language and culture, the band performs most of their songs in Ucwalmícwts, the traditional Lil’wat language—a language that an estimated three per cent of Interior Salish people speak fluently.
Formerly known as Kalan Wi, The Spiritual Warriors are led by father and daughter, Leroy Joe (vocals, guitar) and Daisy Joe (vocals), and are accompanied by Richard Doucet with his rhythmic djembe beats. The backbone of the Caribbean rhythm section is laid down by Mike Rowe (bass) and Tim Lall (drums).
The band regularly collaborates with other First Nation artists and musicians to write and perform live. Their debut album Ancestors was released in 2019 and won Best World Recording at the Native American Music Awards last fall, in addition to receiving four other nominations. This truly unique band takes listeners on a cultural journey to the natural heartbeat of the Indigenous drum and the St’at’imc people.
