Music
“Connecting spiritually to our ancestors through our songs.”
Jenny and Dennis Shorty
Dena Zagi – the voice of the people
Dennis Shorty began writing and composing songs in his language, Kaska, in 2009. In that same year, Dennis created Dena Zagi with Jennifer Frohling. Jenny is originally from Germany and is Dennis’ partner. Together they created the band Dena Zagi, which means “people’s voice”, and is written in the Kaska language. It combines both of their talents to create a traditional contemporary duo. Dennis is singer, songwriter and guitarist, while Jenny is a singer, plays a traditional drum and drum set, as well as a First Nation flute. Their lyrics are about the land, animals, respect, ancestors and traditions. They’ve played together in various venues in Canada and Germany, and hope to encourage young people to preserve their language through music. In 2016 they received a grant from Yukon Film and Sound Commission to record a demo. Their album Gucho Hin was nominated in 2018 for the IMA in Winnipeg and CFMA in Calgary.
“Carving is energy. Drumming is energy. Through my art and my songs I want to make people feel that energy.”
Dennis Shorty
Performances
Showcase with full band – The Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse
4 x school performances at The Yukon Arts Centre
“Not close but personal” – concert series, The Yukon Arts Centre
Canada Day virtual video
Mentorship with CESO, Toronto
Professional music training sponsored by APTN, Toronto
AFN event for climate change at KDCC, Whitehorse
Mentored youth to perform at Skookum Jim Folklore Show, Whitehorse
Yukon for Community School Touring Program, Dawson City, Mayo, Pelly Crossing, Haines Junction, D-Bay and Beaver Creek
YukonNight, Vancouver B.C.
Breakout West, Whitehorse
APTN performance for Indigenous Day, Whitehorse
Athabasca Tribal Council Health and Wellness Conference, Fort McMurray/ Alberta
Yukon Night, Yukon Chamber of Mines, Vancouver
Nominees Album Gucho Hin – Canadian Folk Music Awards, Calgary
Nominees Album Gucho Hin – Indigenous Music Award, Winnipeg
ADAKA Festival, Whitehorse
Dawson City Music Festival, Yukon
Acting in German movie “River of Live, Yukon”, Dawson City
Visual and performing art, Germany
Skookum Jim Folklore Festival, Yukon
Skookum Jim Folklore Show, Yukon
ADAKA Cultural Festival, Yukon
Aboriginal Day, Mayo, Y.T.
Published first Kaska language music album CD – GUCHO HIN
Haa Kusteeyi Celebration, Teslin Y.T.
Dena Zagi in Germany, Luckenwalde
Part of the “Journey to ADAKA” Documentary, Yukon. This film won “ People Choice Award ” in February 2018
IPAA, Haines Junction, YT
Collaboration show at Yukon Arts Centre for CANDO conference, Whitehorse, YT
Adäka Cultural Festival, Whitehorse, YT
Moose Hide Gathering, Dawson City, YT
Arts in The Park, Whitehorse, YT
Arts Up Front, Whitehorse, YT
Slideshow and presentation, Garrey, Germany
ACAD Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary, AB
Shurniak Gallery, Assiniboia, SK
Solo Art Exhibition at “ Caribou Shadow”, Arts Underground Gallery, Whitehorse, YT
Family Week, Ross River, YT
Art presentation and workshops – Culture Week, Mayo, YT
Adäka Cultural Festival, Whitehorse, YT
Moose Hide Gathering , Dawson City, YT
Kwanlin Dun First Nations Women’s Day Fair, Whitehorse, YT
Workshops at Myth and Medium Conference, Dawson City, YT
Skookum Jim Folklore Show, Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse, YT
- Performing artist with Kaska Dena Drummers at Northern Scene Arts Festival, Ottawa, ON
Adäka Cultural Festival, Whitehorse, YT
IPY 2012 Conference, Montreal, QC
“Connection“ Arts Underground Gallery, Whitehorse, YT
Cultural Exchange, Coffee Lake, Ross River, YT
Adäka Cultural Festival, Whitehorse, YT
“Mixed Media”, Koenig’s, Wusterhausen, Germany
Karl May Festtage, Radebeul, Germany
“Mixed Media”, Dresden, Germany
“In allem steckt ein Geist”, Luckenwalde, Germany
