CIRI shareholder Irene Bedard, Inupiat Eskimo/Cree Indian, has added singing and writing lyrics to her admirable acting career that includes starring in the feature film “Smoke Signals,” and she was the voice of Disney’s “Pocohontas.”

Bedard and her husband, Deni, released a CD titled “Warrior of Love.” Bedard’s love of music started as a youth and was encouraged by Deni, a professional musician for 15 years with his own record label and awards.

“I have always been interested in music. I was in the swing choir at Dimond High School, in Anchorage, Alaska, and did vocal work at the arts university that I attended,” said Bedard.

Bedard wrote the lyrics and Deni composed the music. Bedard describes the music as “electro beat” with traditional songs and drums and includes a song from Alaska music sensation Pamyua.

“I have written monologues and plays, and my husband encouraged me to continue my writing. We started out composing and writing a Christmas album for the family and that eventually led to the “Warrior of Love” CD,” said Bedard.

Bedard’s musical inspiration comes from life experiences and events. “The 9-11 tragedy inspired the song ‘India and Pakistan.’ After I read about nuclear testing near Pt. Hope, I wrote a song called ‘I dream of Pt. Hope’ about a family struggling with cancer. The ‘Warrior of Love’ song is about unity and one nation,” explains Bedard.

The band, Irene Bedard and Deni, recently completed their road tour for “Warrior of Love” that started last year in Kotzebue, Alaska. According to Bedard, “They loved it. We performed in the Kotzebue school gym and people flew in from the surrounding villages for the concert.”

Bedard has been busy traveling around the Lower 48 promoting the CD at pow wows, concerts and bookstores; they performed at the Alaska Federation of Natives Banquet, on Oct. 25, in Anchorage. They also spend time at home with their son, Quinn Joseph Wilson, born June 18.

For Bedard, music is another creative outlet to share her Native culture and interests when she is not acting – her first love. “I’ll continue doing films and music. When a film or theatre project is done, as an artist, you have to think of the next creative process. Music is another outlet,” says Bedard.

Bedard and Deni and their “Warrior of Love” CD are nominated for a Native American Music Award in the Debut Artist/Group of the Year category. The 6th Annual Native American Music Awards will be held at the Isleta Casino Resort in Albuquerque, NM, on Nov. 15.

For information about “Warrior of Love,” visit www.mp3.com/irenebedardanddeni.com or nativevoices.net. For more information about the music awards, visit www.nammys.com.