No one is born with musical talent.
Sure, you can have a knack for it, but no one can just pick up a guitar and play like Brett Kissel or Jimmy Page.
Like other talented musicians, Tia Wood, a 24-year-old Indigenous singer and songwriter, had to start somewhere. Somewhere starts with a lot of work, practice, and loads of engagement on social media.
Tia is originally from Saddle Lake and comes from a Plains Cree and Salish background.
Her music proudly reflects her Indigenous heritage while incorporating modern music.
Since starting her musical journey as a teen, Tia has gained a massive following of fans through social media.
She has over 300,000 followers on Instagram and over two million on TikTok.
Beyond Social
Tia announced in December that she is taking her career to the next level after signing a contract with Sony Music, the second-largest record company in the world.
Looking at Tia’s family, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Her father, Earl Wood, is a founding member of the Northern Cree Singers.
Northern Cree is a nine-time Grammy-nominated drumming group.
Similarly, Tia’s mother, Cynthia Jim-Wood, was in an all-girls drumming group, which was forbidden in Cree culture at the time!
According to Tia, traditionally, women in Salish tribes are allowed to touch drums, but women in some Cree tribes aren’t.
Tia considers growing up Cree and Salish a blessing because she got to learn about two very different tribes and teachings and combine them into one.
“Once I posted my first ‘Make It Indigenous’ video and witnessed that crazy response from people from all around the world, it was like an awakening because I never thought people outside my Indigenous community would appreciate the intertwining of Cree and Salish styles,” Tia told Vogue.
Make It Indigenous is a popular series created by Tia where she adds an Indigenous twist to popular trends on TikTok.
@tiamiscihk #duet with @bellapoarch ahhh had to hop on this trend after seeing @jada.bada_ ‘s video 😍 #indigenous #nativetiktok #nativeamerican #nativetiktoks
♬ The Banjo Beat, Pt. 1 – Ricky Desktop
“So, it was kind of inevitable to pick up music growing up…and honestly, it was a way to keep our heads afloat growing up as well,” said Tia in a recent interview with Lakeland This Week.
Tia grew up surrounded by Indigenous music and sounds.
Whether she was having dinner with her family or playing outside, the sounds of powwow, poetry, and peyote could be heard in the background.
Tia also enjoyed listening to country music on the radio.
Tia claims she started singing as soon as she could talk. Before long, she performed with her family on the powwow trail, a circuit of powwows across North America.
The Wood family also performed at local schools and nursing homes.
But Tia’s life took a tragic turn when she was 13.
Unbreakable Spirit
In 2012, Tia was in a serious vehicle rollover accident in Montana that put her on life support. She was flown to the Children’s Hospital in Seattle.
The accident broke most of Tia’s ribs, collapsed both of her lungs and fractured her vertebrae.
“We almost lost Tia. She was in a coma; she was in really bad shape,” recalls Cynthia.
When Tia finally woke up, she was greeted with terrible news from the doctor. She was told she would never sing or dance the same again.
Singing and dancing were a part of Tia, and she wasn’t about to let go of them so quickly. She turned to prayer and healing ceremonies to motivate her.
Tia went from being in a wheelchair to performing alongside her sister at the 2012 Manito Ahbee Festival just three months after the accident.
“It made me more motivated to get better and…not to take it for granted because…it could have all been taken away just like that,” said Tia.
Tia still carries that motivation with her today, which has helped her take some big steps.
At 21, Tia moved to Los Angeles, California, on her own to pursue music. With barely enough money to cover the first month’s rent, she was living out of a suitcase.
But moving to Los Angeles wasn’t just about making it in the music industry or making money. It was about showcasing her heritage in an industry that lacks Indigenous representation.
International Acclaim
Since making the move, Tia has performed on international stages at music festivals around the world.
In December, Tia took a huge step forward in her career by signing a contract with Sony Music. Tia claims the signing wasn’t just a personal victory.
It was a win for her family and her community. Tia says, “When one of us wins, we all win.”
For Tia, the win is bittersweet and reminds her of her family back in Saddle Lake. She misses her family but finds comfort in performing with her brother, Edgar Wood, who is her guitarist.
On top of her musical journey, like most people her age, Tia is on a journey to discover herself. Coming from slow-paced Saddle Lake, she admits adjusting to the chaotic Los Angeles lifestyle is tough.
Tia finds it challenging to connect with people, especially those who have not had the same experiences as her.
Tia is also shy despite performing in front of millions of people through social media and her music.
In addition to signing with Sony Music, Tia has more good news to share with her fans. She claims new music is finally on its way.
“I’ve been saying this for…like two years now, that I was going to release music soon, and I just wanted to wait for the right moment and the right people to distribute it,” said Tia.
Tia’s music career has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but she never left the rails. She is a reminder always to give our best effort.
Sing and Dance on, Tia!
