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.
My Grandmother was of the Owl clan, and a Medicine woman. She helped heal people from everywhere. I always think about her when I paint Owls. Her influence on me was one of good, and kindness to everyone, and everything in Nature. I am very mindful of what God has given to us. The four seasons, the four directions, the four elements fire, water, air,
and earth.
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.
Early in my career I had a revelation. I am a musician, I am a writer. I can be dirt poor or filthy rich and it makes absolutely no difference, this is what I am. I am going to write, record, and release my music in any way I can; if fifty people hear it or millions, this is what I am. I grew up not knowing much about my heritage. I'm proud of my Scottish and Native American heritage.
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 creativity as tools to bring his message to the people.
This world and the type of people that are drawn to money and power have always made it hard on the rest of us. But it is possible to walk through this world
if you have the right perspective. We have to be in this world but not of it and knowing the truth and The Creator of all things will indeed set you free and keep you grounded no matter what life
throws at you.
He founded Raven Hawk Productions and Spirit Wind Records. He also took his drum group The Thunder Hawk Singers to a Nammy nomination in 2001. In 2002 he was Program Director for NativeRadio.com. Working with Patrick Doyle CEO and founder of NativeRadio.com has given him new insight into the world of native music. He has been instrumental in getting the voice-over work done for presentation to the annual NAMA show.
Today Jonny Lipford, who started his musical journey at the young age of 13, continues to shares his music with audiences across the United States and broadcasts world wide. Jonny has been featured on NativeRadio.com, the worlds largest collection of broadcasted Native music, as Spotlight Artist with the debut of his first release. Jonny has been recognized as a two time NAMA. Nominee, ISMA and JPF Nominee
Of Navajo-Ute heritage, R. Carlos Nakai is the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute. My primary responsibility is to continue to trudge up the rocky terrain of time while continually reflecting upon and realizing the extreme sacrifice that my ancestors suffered to make me possible. As a traditionalist my journey includes “becoming of service to others, regardless of their multicultural status”.
Jonathan Brewer, is better known as “Blunted” in Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto. Jonathan’s philosophy is “Listen to your heart, not just with your ears. If you listen with your heart you will hear the message and understand it better. If you listen with just your ears, you will miss the true meaning.”
Isolation of characters in my books is a very big symbol. I do not believe we are able to grow and transform, to create personal change, unless we have a lot of isolation time. Many in my family have had addiction problems, some died from those addictions. For me an addiction is the biggest lesson, and if we do not learn from it, we
succumb to it.
Michael Bucher is a Cherokee singer-songwriter who was taught from the beginning of his memory 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I have been involved in magic since the age of seven. I began building my own props and effects to enhance the power of my magic. Being a Native American heritage artist, I have also created my magic and props with this theme in mind. I have also created a magic line of my own design with this Native American theme. I have transformed old magic tricks into new visions with a Native American twist.
I am very grateful to have worked on many wonderful productions over the past 25 years ranging from Broadway legit theatre to Native American music videos. My company has recently released a short film documentary titled, "Imagine A Place, Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary Sponsor Mustangs". The project came to me as a response to all the negative images on the mistreatment and slaughter of horses.
I have a great love for people like Fools Crow, Black Elk, and Lame Deer.
I honor the old ways of the Wisdom Keepers and Holy men of the tribal nations. Lame Deer said in so many words that in order to be a saint you have to be a sinner. If you want to heal you have to experience, you can't be naive to life. Fools Crow said that we must all unite to get things done.
I have been in production on “Wind Chases the Sun: The Leonard Peltier Story” for a year and am in the later stages of pre-production at this point. The amount of research my crew and I are doing is immense. The goal of this production is to expose the case of Leonard Peltier and the atrocities on the reservations to the masses. Leonard Peltier is in full support of this production.
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.
At Indian school almost all the students wrote poetic expression because most were still close to their oral cultures at that time in the late sixties. Words were admired and seen for the power they embody.I was settled in my major, and then poetry interrupted and I had to follow. Poetry is a tough teacher. It continues to teach me to listen, how to sing, and how to open up my knowing.
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.
Mr. McGaa is the author of 3 Harper Collins books among his 9 total, 8 still active. Mother Earth Spirituality is 41 times reprinted. 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.
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.
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. There is over 2000 years of music tradition which I’m trying to bring back and educate
people about.
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.
Conrad Bigknife’s third album, Full Circle is a mix of soaring country vocals, shimmering guitars and choruses. There’s a simple beauty to these songs. “The feeling I have after performing in front of
a large crowd, without saying, is pure excitement! Adrenalin is flowing, if the crowd is pumped up and in a frenzy, which gives you more electricity to give it your best.”
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'. Their captivated audiences from Maine to Florida.
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.
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.
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.
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 Lyrics show a part of Native American life, their myths, their spiritual world and how we feel about it. This is a very important issue for us. Our sound also reflects on feeling the beat of the drum and on dancing to the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We collaborate and work with First Nations People and together we are dedicated to creating a better world.
I love beauty. I love honesty. Honesty is a huge thing that resonates with me. That’s another part of my outlook on life, be honest with one another and respect each other’s beliefs. I don’t care what upbringing a person may have had or where one has grown up in this world. I believe a person can accomplish anything he or she wants, we need to respect each other’s
beliefs and dreams.
I have always written stories even as a young child. I always loved to curl up with a blanket and get lost writing a story. When I was young I used to go outside and write stories about the birds, squirrels or whatever animal I saw. Sometimes I got into trouble because I would be writing a story instead of doing something I was suppose to be doing. I have always loved to read
and write.
Jan Michael Looking Wolf is a Kalapuya Native American flute player from Grand Ronde, Oregon. With 39 National Award recognitions, he is considered by many to be the premier native flutists of our time. Looking Wolf performs across the country with his rock band and solo sharing flute songs, tribal stories, and the message of One Heart.
Over the last several years, Denny has worked closely with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming. “I dedicate all my art to my children, Lindsay, Hillary and Dillon and my wife Leigh. For it was they who sacrificed all that time and attention when I thought it was for a better future. Little did I know that the future was the next minute of a day when I could have, should have but didn't”.
We in NNAVA have taken this tradition to heart with our moccasin project. We make them for the warriors, our brothers and sisters, with prayer and blessings, to keep their feet swift, their path true, their journeys, either home or spirit, safe. Their designs are in our hearts & minds as we pray and toil over these moccasins, they are in the spirit of these moccasins, to guide their journey safely.
My philosophy is to be a servant. Everything that I do now is working to send everything vertical. It’s vertical to my creator and I consider the sacred ground. I have to consider that as I walk, even in my own house. In my own marriage of 32 years you have to be aware that things can fall apart and if you don’t look at them as sacred then basically you are throwing it away. Sacred is sacred.
We can live alongside wildlife & nature without it becoming about 'us or them'. I hope that we can educate and inspire others to make those small realistic changes in their own lives that add up to big changes for the Earth and all that inhabit her. My hope is that by bringing education and practical solutions, we can make real positive and lasting change.
Life is ever changing and growing. We all can learn from it. Take moments to be in the moment,
to be present.
Harvey Pratt
His family is an artistic and traditional Native American family. He has been recognized by the Cheyenne People as an Outstanding Southern Cheyenne. Harvey received one of the highest honors by being inducted in the Southern Cheyenne Chief’s Lodge as one of their traditional Peace Chiefs.
