Native Digest

They have released 12 cd’s since 2006. They play from the heart & gives all praises and credit to the Creator, giving thanks for the music that Creator plays through them by playing for others & for the gift of flute making. The path we walk is for the Creator.The highlight of sharing and playing the music is the joy it gives us to share this gift of music with others. Creator plays this music through us. The songs carry a message from Creator. We walk the path and red road for Creator, he gives us each a gift of creativity as tools to bring his message to the people.

I use the old style broadcloth and cotton and I just try to be as traditional as possible. I remember when I did my first pow-wow. When I was coming out, a song by Sky Hawk Drum was playing. I told the announcer that I did not know any of the steps. The announcer looked at me and pointed to my chest and said when you hear the drum you will

know the steps.

Our mother earth is in serious need of healing.

We all have our part and our responsibility. I am hoping that the music I create will continue to touch the hearts and souls of those who take a moment to listen to the rhythm of our earth songs and join me in celebrating life and making a better world for those unborn who will follow us.

This fusion of artistic influences has helped me to come up with my own way of portraying the old Native American way of life. I don’t try to be historically accurate, but attempt to portray palpable and arresting emotions, suspending reality to present the viewer with the wild, unchecked passions and stoic serenity of

Native America.

Growing up I drew with pencils, crayons, and ballpoint pens and did very little painting.In the fourth grade I'd draw cartoon characters and the teacher would place them on the wall around the room. It wasn't until I went to the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe in 1964 that I really encountered painting.

My name is Anthony K. Maloney. I am of the Dine' Tribe from Northern Arizona. I am proud of being a Native American and to have the creator grace me with the talents that I have. We Native People all hold a special gift or talent in us.

We are a strong Nation and lets keep it that way, by carrying tradition and

culture forward.

He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a

visiting author.

The powers of blues guitarist such as Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray and Buddy Guy. The guitar is an extension to what we are saying, an added power to finish off a phrase. It can be more powerful than words. I'm trying to get the feel across so people know where I've been and where I'm coming from...heart and soul.

Mr. Tate is dedicated to the development of American Indian classical composition. In 2006, Mr. Tate was the recipient of the Joyce Award. Mr. Tate is Artistic Director for the Chickasaw Chamber Music Festival and Composer-in-Residence for the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy. In 2008, he was appointed Cultural Ambassador for the

State of Oklahoma.

Conrad Bigknife’s third album, Full Circle is a mix of soaring country vocals, shimmering guitars and choruses so catchy, they’ll remind you of the first time you heard Take it Easy from The Eagles. There’s a simple beauty to these songs that is worth paying attention to.

The group was recently nominated for their CD titled, Lenape Spirits for "Best Traditional Vocals" at the 2009 Indian Summer Music Awards and in five categories at the 11th Annual Native American Music Awards and a most recent award at the 2009 NAMA for

"Best Gospel and Inspirational'

Stephanie is an established author who recently created her own publishing company, Wampum Books-the first Native Woman owned publishing company in the USA. Her first published book is titled Poneasequa Goddess of the Waters; a narrative about the life of girl named McKenzie Jones and based on Stephanie’s own

personal journey.

My songwriting is inspired by the people and landscapes of both New Mexico and Alaska. I was raised on the Acoma Indian Reservation located sixty miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Anthony's love for music started at an early age when his parents brought back a guitar from the border town of Juarez, Mexico.

I was born and raised in Montgomery Alabama. My family on my Dad’s side moved there in the 1870’s from North Carolina. As a re-enactor I get asked to do stuff for films. My dad’s family was Cherokees on his father’s side and Creeks on his mother’s side. I started re-enacting the French

and Indian war with a group

in Alabama as a way to

learn about my heritage.

Michael is an accomplished musician who's love for music and search for his native heritage led him to the Native American Wood Flute. With over 35 years of experience and as a performance and studio musician, a drummer and percussionist, Michael developed and perfected his gift for mastering intricate rhythms. He is a perfectionist and feels it lends well

to this craft.

Ed McGaa (Eagle Man) is a registered tribal member of the Oglala Sioux OST 15287 and was born on the Pine Ridge reservation. He received his Bachelor's degree from St. John's University and earned a law degree from the University of South Dakota. He has studied under Chief Eagle Feather and Chief Fool's Crow, both influential

Sioux holy men.

A member of the Yaqui people of southern Arizona, Gabriel Ayala is at the forefront of a new generation of Native Americans making a career performing classical music. He began playing the guitar as a child, and would later study with Philip Hii. He has been recognized by the State of Arizona and Governor Janet Napolitano for his musical achievements.

George Quincy was born and raised in Oklahoma and is of Choctaw heritage. Throughout his childhood, his Juilliard years and later, Mr. Quincy believed his lyrical gift was rooted in his Choctaw blood while his analytical talent came from his white Western education. His music presents an emotional and cultural fusion of classical and Choctaw.

An award winning Cherokee singer- songwriter. Michael was taught the stories, language and legends of his people. His songs are intended to teach, heal and bring awareness to everyone who hears them. He sings about topics that are important to him and others in

Indian Country.

Joy Harjo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is a member of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation. Her seven books of poetry include She Had Some Horses, The Woman Who Fell From the Sky, and How We Became Human, New and Selected Poems. Her poetry, music and writings has garnered many awards and is beloved by fans from all around the world. We celebrate Joy’s

most recent book,

“For a Girl Becoming”.

An exclusive interview with the famed author Joan Leslie Woodruff whose Shawnee and Cherokee heritage influences makes a masterpiece of every book that she has written. Her noteworthy writes include Polar Bears in the Kitchen, Neighbours, Ghost in the Rainbow, Wishes and Windmills, and the Shiloh Renewal. Joan was kind enough to take some of her personal to talk with Native Digest about her works.

Of Navajo-Ute heritage, R. Carlos Nakai is the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute. A car accident ruined his embouchure. As an artist, he is an adventurer and risk taker, always giving his musical imagination free rein.

I am a descendent of the Huicholes. I decided to follow my dreams and to play the pre-Columbian music; that same music that was prohibited for 300 years due to its intensity and deep spiritual impact it had

on the people of

those times.

Peter's theatrical production, Spirit-The Seventh Fire, began as a 1995 benefit concert for Robert and Jamie Redford in which Buffett combined his Native American-inspired music with live native dancing, powwow drummers and the singing of Chief Hawk Pope. The experience was not only personally gratifying, but universally well-received.

Jonathan Brewer, better known as Blunted in Mel Gibson’s production of Apocalypto. Jonathan’s work on Apocalypto was a superb demonstration of Jonathan’s talents that resulted in an influential performance which contributed to the films success.

The art of traditional storytelling and knowledge of the Ojibwe language was passed down to Thirza by her Ojibwe grandmother. She introduces audiences to Iroquois tradition, uniting all in the circle.