About Shining Woman

Singers from left to right: Lindsey Koether, Tonya Elliott, Barbara Warren, aka Shining Woman, Nora Thurmond-Straight

Barbara A. Warren aka Shining Woman is a songwriter and singer whose songs reflect Indigenous culture and language.

Barbara was a founding member and drum keeper for Feather River Singers, a Native women's powwow drum whose album, "Daughters of the Earth," was a Native American Music Award (NAMA) Nominee in 2006.

After leaving the powwow circuit, Barbara was the founder and former drum keeper for Otsigeya, an all-women's medicine drum. She also sang and recorded with Shining Woman & Friends, a singing group whose songs were rich with vocal harmonies and contemporary instrumentation.

In 2016, she released “Keeper of the Family,” an album featuring songs with Cherokee lyrics that celebrated women and embraced women’s empowerment.

In 2017, “Keeper of the Family” was honored as a Native American Music Awards (NAMA) Nominee and won two Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA).

In 2025, her lullaby "Usti" received a Native American Music Awards nomination for Best Traditional Roots Recording.