Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo (Spirit Warrior in Cherokee) is a member of the International Native American Flute Association and a flutemaker “Mother Earth Natural Branch Flutes”. He has been playing for 37 years as a flute artist, 5 years as a native music flute artist. As a request by friends, they started to record in January 2006. This is a family group, Danuwa Analihi (Richard) plays the percussions, drums and flute. His wife Wo'ya (Debbie), plays the percussions. His son, Yonv Wa'ya (Jeff) plays the percussions, drums and flute. Yonv Waya also does the graphics for the cds. Wo'ya puts the cd together. The family all works together, producing the cd. They do all their recordings, graphics, and producing of their cd’s themselves and use all natural sounds in their recordings.

They have released 12 cd’s since 2006. They play from the heart & gives all praises & 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.

Debbie was born in Fort Myers, FL. She was adopted & later learned of her tsalagi (Cherokee) heritage. Her adopted mother had told her that her real mother had named her Little Spirit Dove (Adonvdo Woya Usti in tsalagi). Woya then begin to research her roots. She began to learn her language, her culture, and ways. She learned she had a brother a year older than her. Last December 2008 she located him after all those years searching for him. She got in contact with him. She began to learn of her heritage, her Grandfather and father was Cherokee, and her mother was half Cherokee. This was closure for her, for she finally had names and info on who she was. She always had felt out of place and different growing up. She had darker skin than the kids in school and was always called half breed and squaw by the other kids. She loved the woods and was always outside, barefooted & playing with the wildlife & nature. She talked with the animals and understood their ways. It was as natural as breathing to her.

Debbie was a natural when it came to working with horses and it isn’t any wonder that is what she worked with all of her life. She loved dancing barefoot on mother earth, she felt mother earths heartbeat. She loved music and  especially drums and percussions. In 2004, Creator gave her a dream vision and told her that her life mate that she had been asking him for would be coming into her life soon. She met Richard online in 2004. Creator gave her the message to get rid of everything she owned and go to Richard. Creator also gave her a dream vision and gave a name to Richard, the name was Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo (Spirit Warrior).

Debbie knew that Creator had brought them together to walk his path and be on a mission for him. She had a son named Jeff which Creator had also gave her a name for in a dream vision, Waya Yona ( Bear Wolf). So they packed and  went to be with Richard. So the journey began for them. Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo and Woya were married in September 2004. Woya bought Danuwa his first native flute in 2005. Danuwa began recording the songs Creator gave to him, when others heard the songs they said, you need to make a cd. So began the journey of the family getting together as a family native flute band and their first cd Native Roots was released in 2006. Wo'ya (Debbie) plays the percussions, makes the cd covers & burns the cds.The rest is history.

Richard was born in Washington, DC. He was adopted and later learned of his real mother's heritage of Eno (Lakota). He always loved music of any kind, he started collecting records at the age of 4 years old. Richard  has been an avid collector for 38 years. He went to Broadcasting Institute of Marlyland. .Two years later Richard took a job as a DJ for the radio station WAAI, Cambridge, MD. He worked there for 8 years and become known as the Sunday Morning Gospel Boy.

Jeff was born in Fort Myers ,Fla.He is cherokee.His mother is Woya. Jeff ,like his mother loves animals, & is very good with them. He was especially good with drums, percussions, & music. Creator gave him his name Waya Yona ( Bear Wolf). He is learning to play native flute and how to make native flutes from his Dad, Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo. He is part of the family native flute group & plays the percussions,drums & flute. He also helps & does the graphics for the cd’s. He loves making music & has started to write songs that Creator has been gifting him with. He walks the red road for Creator and feels all the music they make is gifts from Creator to share.He wants to see Mother Earth heal  and the world to all be one and be peace.

RV: To begin I have to express my sincere and warmest welcome to you for providing an interview to Native Digest. I am amazed of your accomplishments and having released so many cd's within so short of a span of time. Could you please share with us the drive within to create so many wonderful melodies and where does your creativeness to create your compositions come from?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: They come from Grandfather (Creator) and they are to be shared. When someone hears our songs and feels inspired, I know that it is Grandfather who talks to them. I give thanks,praises & credit to Grandfather.

RV: I've really enjoyed and admired the compelling melodies coming from your song Elder Spirits Dancing. Could you please share with me your influences in this song?

“Click to listen”

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: A few years ago I made good friends with a group musicians called "Huasipungo" from Equador. We traded cd's and then traded ideas on how we both play differently. This was the influence behind "Elder Spirits Dancing". The title and spirit of the song comes from Grandfather (Creator) coming to me in visions and dreams. By listening to Grandfather (Creator's) messages he gave to me to help him in sharing his word and ways.This made the elder's spirits happy and they danced.

RV: I saw where you've toured to various events. Is there a particular event that you've attended that stands out personally for you?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: It would have to be the 2008 Oklahoma Flute Festival in Tahlequah,Oklahoma.I met a lot of great musicians there.It was our first time meeting with our friends & fans we had met in a chat room online. After the second show we all met at the camp ground where we were staying and we all played drums and flutes dancing around a fire in a circle.

RV: Could you please tell me more of the baseball flute and bend flute that you've made and are any of these instruments tools that you've used in any of your compositions?

John Suttles Flute (Left) Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo (Right)

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: Both of these instruments were on a dare by two people. John Suttles made a flute that he gifted to me called" Around The Bend"  which was almost in an “s” shape. He asked me If I could make one crazier. John Suttles was the one who taught me how to make branch flutes, he was my mentor and teacher. Within two weeks I had made "Up and Around The Bend" which had more twists in it than John's. I played John Suttles "Around The Bend" flute at my performance in Oklahoma Flute Festival.

‘Click to listen”

RV: I understand that you create flutes. What skills and knowledge goes into flute and making and are all of your instruments on your cd's all instruments that you've created?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: I make flute in various ways. I make them in the traditional 5 hole & 6 hole from branches that fell off the tree. I also make them from various things, like baseball bats, dressers, wood from houses that were torn down. I  recycle this into flutes to give them a second chance. First, in order to make a flute you have to think in mind of diameter, length and bore size. This determines around what key it may end up in. I learned this skill from my good friend John Suttles in Missouri and also Amos Fleetwood, and Harold Ruckman. Only one cd "Elements" uses all the flutes that I have made. From "Elements" onward are a mix of other flute makers, Kanza's Flutes, Odell Borg, John Suttles, Amos Fleetwood, and myself.

RV: What effect do you hope that your music had had on audiences and listeners?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: The music comes from Grandfather, when people hear this and they think of Grandfather, that what makes me happy. To see hearts change when they hear it.

Woya: We hope that they feel the message from Creator in the music.That it helps them feel closer to Creator and that it brings healing, tranquility, joy,& happiness to them.

Yona Waya: I hope that the music, and the spirit of the music, carries blessings and the message of Creator to them.

RV: What current projects and tours awaits you?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: We are currently working on our first double cd, called Journey, our 13th release since 2006. it is a compilation of songs that was created on our journey together since we have been together, and people we have met along the way. We are hoping to have it released in by March. We are also working on 5 other cd’s to be released in 2010. Reflections, Gransfathers Stories By The Fire, Return Of The Condor, Earth, Stars and Sky, and Winds Of Change. No current tours at the moment. Creator guides us to where & when we play, He is our booking agent (smiles).

RV: Please feel free to share anything that you would like to address that I haven't asked?  

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo:  The spirit of the music comes from Creator and the winds from many directions. It is all Grandfathers music we express. Thank you for the honor to share. Many Blessings.

Woya: Thank you for the honor to share with others. Many Blessings.

Yona Waya: Thank you for sharing our journey and Creator's message with others, Many Blessings.

I would like to express my sincere honor and appreciation to Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo, Woya and Yona Waya for their sincere kindness and friendship. Please be sure to visit danuwa.com and hear and learn more of their work.

RV: Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo, I understand that you were adopted. Could you please share your heartfelt discovery and how that revelation has influenced you?  

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: I always had a closeness with mother earth and at one time I could not put my finger on it until I started looking into my background and found my mother had native blood. She was Eno. I looked into the tribes background and found that there only a hand full of Eno still around but this was in 1990 and there were only 10 left alive according to registries. The cd "Eno" is dedicated & in honor to my mother and father.

RV: Yona Waya, how young were you when you began your career in music with your family? I understand that you've also helped designed the cd covers. What other artistic ventures have you explored that you enjoy doing? .  

Yona Waya: I started recording with my parents from the first cd that was released Native Roots in 2006. I was 20. I am good with Photoshop. I want to go to school to learn web designing. My dad has been teaching me to make branch flutes. I also have started to sing on our cd’s. The first cd I sang on was Eno The song is a traditional native song called "The River Is Flowing". My dad and I sing the song duo on the last track also. Creator gave me a song and  I wrote down the words, it is called "Essence Of The Elements" and Creator gave the tune to my mother in a vision. It will be on a future cd.

RV: Wo'ya, I understand that you were adopted as well and it appears that you have a remarkable story to share regarding the discovery of your heritage. Learning of your heritage had to be an enlightening moment for you. Could you please share how the discovery has influenced your life?

Woya: Growing up I always felt something was missing, I felt a void. I felt I didn't fit into my family. I had the overwhelming desire to be outside. I love being in the woods, I understood the animals. I have always known in my heart that I was native but I didn’t have proof. When my adopted dad passed away I was 12. My adopted mom sat me down & told me I was adopted. She told me my biological mother had given me the name of little spirit dove (Woya Adonvdo Usti  in Cherokee) when I was born. She said that she knew that my dad and mom were natives but she did not know what tribe they were from. At that moment I was confused but happy that I now knew about my parents. I began  to search for my roots when I was 20. I had my real last name so that was a start. Little did I know that I was embarking on a long journey to find my roots. On Dec 22,2007, I found my biological brother through ancestory.com. I called him on the phone & we cried and talked for 3 hours. He told me about our mom and Dad and that they were Cherokee. I have been learning my culture, language, & traditions since then. Creator answered my prayers to find my family. I am at peace and at home at last. Wado, (thank you) Creator.

RV: What is the highlight of sharing your musical art and creativeness as a family?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: When Grandfather says its time for me to create a song, but this happens with all of us. My Woya comes up with some tunes and now my son Yona is coming up with tunes of his own and we all share idea with each other with Grandfather helping all of us.

Woya: 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. We have so much fun together recording, we laugh, joke, and get a little silly.Our family is like that all the time. Never a dull moment.

Yona Waya: It has been a wonderful journey and fun to play together as a family.The highlight of sharing is that the music brings a message for Creator and I am honored to be a part of that.

RV: What are your hopes and aspirations for the music that you share and is there a Native Group that you have a lot of admiration for?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: To help people come back to Creator. I admire them all Some I had the pleasure to meet. Some we have even traded cd's. I think of them all as part of my family.

Woya: We hope that you hear the message of Creator in every song,the music helps to heal, bring joy and peace,makes you dance around,feelingCreator, Mother Earth & Father Sky.

Yona Waya: I have admiration,honor, & respect for all native groups.All have been an inspiration and blessing.We are all one ,we are family.

RV: What is a personally favorite composition that stands out for you and could you please share with us its meaning and influences for you?

Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo: It would have to be "The Answer" from the "Mother Earth Father Sky" cd. It comes from a brother, RUHR HUNTER "Moss and Memory (The Den)" gifting his cd to me and wanting to know what I thought of it. I told him that I would answer him in a song."The Answer " was the song that came. It also became the song for our very first music video.

Woya: Cherokee Morning Song  is my favorite, it is a traditional song and it is the song that Creator chose to bring Danuwa Analihi Adonvdo and I together six years ago. It was the song that I was singing in a chat room on the mic. He asked me in the chat room, if he may “im” me, I said yes and the rest is history (smiles).

Yona Waya: My favorite composition is "The River Is Flowing". Its a happy song.It makes me feel the spirit of Creator, my ancestors, Mother Earth & Father Sky

Baseball Bat Flute

The Baseball Bat flute was a dare from my wife Woya. We went to a thrift shop nearby where we were living in Branson, Mo. She came up to me with a 1952 vintage Stan Musial - Babe Ruth 30 oz. Hickory  bat and said "I dare you". I told John, Amos and Harold about Woya's dare and John said that he didn't think it could be done. Harold said to John not to tell Danuwa analihi Adonvdo cause he will start laughing about it. I went to a flute circle two nights later, where John, Amos and Harold went to. I had told Harold and Amos that I had made the bat flute and was bringing it and not to say anything to John, cause I wanted to surprise him. When I brought out the bat John said to me "Danuwa analihi Adonvdo, That's Insane!" and it plays great too but its still insane.