A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLES

WORLD ARTISTS EXPERIENCES’ FRIENDS,

November is Native American Heritage Month. Since we cannot bring the Native American groups to be in our communities as WAE planned, we hope that you will enjoy this virtual with many wonderful Native American videos and cultural experiences included below. We are grateful to Mrs. June Krell -Salgado of the WAE’s Eastern Shore Ambassador Team who has been with many Native American Groups over many years for bringing this wonderful experience together for WAE.

A CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLES

World Artists Experiences, Inc. explores the amazing story of the America’s original inhabitants. America’s first citizens’ vibrant and rich mix of cultures will be highlighted through a series of links which will include some of the most beloved and prominent Native Americans, including musicians Joanne Shenandoah, Mary Youngblood, Jim Miller and  R. Carlos Nakai.  Our series will also feature links for the screening of Jim Wilson and Kevin Costner’s epic “500 Nations,” as well as a link of a Native American Drum Circle and Red Crooked Sky Dance company plus a poem by author/poet Simon Ortiz and more. The series celebrates the beauty, richness and diversity of Native American culture, and serves to instill pride in those of native descent.

NATIVE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND

The United States Park Service states that in the last census, more than 40,000 individuals in Maryland identified themselves as being American Indian or part American Indian. While pockets of American Indian tribes and groups cover both the eastern and western shores of Maryland, more than half of the state's native population lives near Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

At least eight known tribes or groups of American Indians are native to the state of Maryland:

• Accohannock Indian Tribe
• Assateague Peoples Tribe
• Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians
• Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians
• Piscataway Conoy Confederacy and Sub-Tribes
• Piscataway Indian Nation
• Pocomoke Indian Nation
• Youghiogheny River Band of Shawnee Indians

There are also members of several tribes who are not native to the state of Maryland. About a third of the 17,000 American Indians living in the Baltimore Area are Lumbee, a tribe with roots in North Carolina.

In 1976, the Maryland General Assembly created the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs (MCIA) to represent and serve the state's native communities. Compromised of commissioners from Maryland tribes, this official statewide agency provides a forum for cooperation and communication within the native population in the state and acts as the liaison between Maryland's natives and the state and federal governments. 

Today, the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs serves the afore mentioned Maryland indigenous tribes.

                                   NATIVE AMERICAN DANCE      

In Native American cultures, dance is a form of expression and is an important part of Native American culture.  Dances tell stories, are used as a medium for prayer and each dance has its own significant meaning in Native American culture.  Historically, dancing was a way to promote community interaction. Round dances were a way of introducing guests, tribes, and clans and other types of dance were done to celebrate events such as harvest, seasonal changes, marriages, and inter-tribal meetings.

Native American Dance and Regalia  

Hundreds of Native American dances exist and are performed by tribes across the United States. In this link, Russell Harjo, Leya Hale and Jennie Kappenman explore the meaning, history and regalia of three unique Native American dances. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPjYdfA_tLU

Experience America’s Largest Powwow | Short Film Showcase 

Filmmaker Keeley Gould captures contemporary Native American culture at the 31st annual Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Over 700 tribes attend this three-day cultural heritage celebration.

National Geographic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j1Vt1impIE

How to Dance Powwow

Explore your dance skills with this overview and introduction to intertribal dance.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfORbFjJ6Q 

RED CROOKED SKY

Red Crooked Sky is a Virginia-Based American Indian Dance Troupe with a mission to connect cultures, educate, and inspire through traditional and contemporary dance. Members are from a variety of tribal affiliations throughout the United States and Canada including Cherokee, Chickahominy, Comanche, Lakota, Menominee, Monacan, Nansemond, Osage, and Saponi. 

In addition to tribal diversity, their dancers exhibit an assortment of dance styles including Men’s and Women’s Traditional, Men’s Straight (Southern and Eastern Woodland), Fancy Shawl, Grass, and Jingle. They also perform social (interactive) dances such as the Round, Snake, and Two-Step.

More information at https://redcrookedsky.wordpress.com/

PBS Link:  https://www.pbs.org/video/red-crooked-sky-1zyj2g/               
Grand Entry Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEnfN3xWKo4 

NATIVE AMERICAN DRUM CIRCLE

A Native American Drum Circle symbolizes the heartbeat of the earth. The deep, earthy beat of the drum is at the heart of all music; but in the music of the Native American it is the earth's spirit personified. The resounding rhythm provides the connection between man and nature and nature’s god.  The drum to most natives is central to the community or ceremony. 

The shape of the drum is symbolic, as the circle stands for the circle of earth and life. Thunderous powwow drums, called community drums, are made of wood and have heads of elk, moose, buffalo, horse or cow. Native American drumming is also accompanied by singing.

Mother Earth Beat Drum Group

Mother Earth Beat... is a Women's Native American Pow Wow drum that was formed in October 1997.   Mother Earth Beat is based in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Mother Earth Beat realizes that Women's Drums are not traditional and don't claim to be traditional.  They do, however, strive to keep the traditions alive in their hearts, and to honor their ancestors with their songs.  They feel that now, with the new Millenium, our Mother Earth is in dire need of healing, and that is part of the message they hope to bring to the People, as they sing.  Also, as an Eastern Woodlands Drum, part of their mission is to keep alive, and teach, the songs of the Eastern Peoples.  Many of the Drum members are also members of the Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia.  

More information at www.motherearthbeat.net

Mother Earth Beat Practice in the Park:  https://www.facebook.com/176307712413205/videos/3214867325226883 

NATIVE AMERICA’S PREMIER MUSICIANS

Native Americans trace the ultimate origin of their traditional music to the time of creation when specific songs or musical repertories were given to the first people by the Creator and by spirit beings in the mythic past.  It plays an integral role in the life of Native Americans. It is used for ceremonial purposes, recreation, expression and healing. Some of the most important elements of their music is the voice, drums, flutes and other percussion instruments.

Joanne Shenandoah

Shenandoah is a multiple award winning Native American composer, vocalist and performer. She is a Wolf Clan member of the Iroquois Confederacy - Oneida Nation. Her original compositions, combined with a striking voice, enables her to embellish the ancient songs of the Iroquois using a blend of traditional and contemporary instrumentation. Ms. Shenandoah's music reflects the indigenous philosophy and culture which continues to have a profound effect on the world today. From traditional chants to contemporary ballads about Native ways, her music has been described as an emotional experience, a "Native American Trance"

She is a Grammy Award winner with 3 Nominations), an Emmy nominee, with over 40 music awards (including 14 Native American Music awards – Hall of Fame Inductee) with music ranging from solo to full symphony and 23 recordings.  She is a humanitarian, working as a peace advocate, earth and human rights speaker for justice and has captured the hearts of audiences all over the world, from North and South America, South Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia. 

She has received multiple awards and praise for her work to promote universal peace and understanding.  She is a direct descendent of the famed “Chief Shenandoah” who is noted to have been given a “Peace Medal” by George Washington and established Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (The Oneida Academy).

Shenandoah is a founding board member of the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge a non-profit higher learning educational facility that is based on Iroquois principles.  In 2014 she served as Co-Chair for the Attorney General’s National Task Force of Children Exposed to Violence for the Department of Justice. 

Shenandoah has performed for noted leaders such as His Holiness the Dali Lama, Nelson Mandela, Huston Smith, Mikhail Gorbachev, and is celebrated with the honor of East - West Interfaith Ministry. “to those who have done work that contribute to world peace and Interfaith understanding…a bridge for peace in and among all cultures and spiritual traditions”

Shenandoah has performed at prestigious events such as, The White House of the US, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, 5 Presidential Inaugurations, The Vatican - St. Peter's Basilica for the canonization of the first Native American St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Bethlehem Fine Arts Center - Palestine, Crystal Bridges Museum, Smithsonian museums, The Ordway Theater, Hummingbird Centre, Toronto Skydome and The Parliament of the Worlds Religions, (Africa, Spain and Australia) and Woodstock ‘94.

More information at www.joanneshenandoah.com

Joanne Shenandoah, Bill Miller, Mary Youngblood Live from the Archive NAMA3:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5Kb77w8Nr8

Flutist, R Carlos Nakai

Of Navajo-Ute heritage, R. Carlos Nakai is the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute. Originally trained in classical trumpet and music theory, Nakai was given a traditional cedar wood flute as a gift and challenged to see what he could do with it.

Nakai began playing the traditional Native American flute in the early 1980s and released more than 50 albums in his career (with 40 on the Canyon Records label). Nakai has sold more than 4.3 million albums for Canyon Records and earned two Gold Records for Canyon Trilogy and Earth Spirit. In 2014, Canyon Trilogy reached Platinum (over 1 million units sold), the first ever for a Native American artist performing traditional solo flute music. 

More information at http://rcarlosnakai.com/

The Library of Congress: R. Carlos Nakai: American Indian Flute Music from Arizona:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUgJWr-bXbM&list=PLp8Ugb8J_eGRCZad_k-lgFnmejeqKbGwJ&index=107

 Bill Miller

A Mohican Indian from northern Wisconsin, Bill Miller is an award-winning Native American recording artist, performer, songwriter, activist, painter, and world-class native flute player. Over the entirety, Miller has produced over a dozen albums, received three GRAMMY® Awards, numerous Native American Music Awards & Association (NAMA) awards (including a “Lifetime Achievement” Award) and led Wisconsin’s La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. 

More information at http://billmiller.com/

Flutist, Mary Youngblood

Native American Mary Youngblood, half Seminole and half Aleut, is the first woman to professionally record the Native American Flute, and the first woman to win not just one, but two Grammy Awards for "Best Native American Music Album". Youngblood has a lifetime of musicianship behind her, starting with piano lessons at age six and guitar at ten; she is also a renowned classically trained flutist.

Mary Youngblood has been awarded three Native American Music Awards, being the first female artist to win "Flutist of the Year," which she won in both 1999 and 2000, as well as winning "Best Female Artist" in 2000. She is also the first Native American woman to have received a Grammy Award for "Best Native American Music Album", and the first Native American woman to have won two Grammys. The Library of Congress maintains eight of Mary Youngblood's sound recordings.

More information at http://www.maryyoungblood.com

Dawn Manyfeathers

Dawn Manyfeathers is a Lenni Lenapi Indian.  She is a culture bearer, educator, storyteller and chef.

Cooking Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjHe22YVYU4

Dawn’s Fry Bread Mix Recipe for a Crowd or Village

• 9 cups flour
• 1/5 cups dry milk
• 5 tbs. baking powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tbs. salt

Mix all the dry ingredients together. You can bag the mix to use later or just by adding water, you can use it immediately.

To make the dough, add enough warm water to the dough to make it like pizza dough. This amount of mix will take from 3.5-4 cups of water or more. Let it rest for half an hour. Oil your hands and a plate. Pinch off pieces of dough and pat it between your hands. If need bem stretch it on the plate until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Fry in clean oil until golden brown, turning only once. Drain and serve hot with honey, powdered sugar, jams and jellies.

Dawn’s Wojape Recipe: Blackberries and Dumplings

• 1 lb. bag of blackberries (no sugar added)
• 4 cups of water or enough to cover berries
• 3/4 cup sugar

Place all ingredients in a 3 qt. pan. Turn heat to high until berries come to a boil. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Bring back to a full rolling boil, drop dumplings (small gobs of raw fry bread batter) in a tbs. at a time, let them cook for 10 mins.  Dip in fry read and enjoy! 

THE LEGEND OF THE THREE SISTERS: 

Oneida Link: https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/the-legend-of-the-three-sisters/ 

Fusion Musician & Fancy Dancer, Supaman 

Christian Parrish Takes the Gun, known professionally as Supaman is an Apsaalooke rapper and fancy dancer who was born in Seattle Washington and grew up in Crow Agency, Montana. The child of struggling alcoholics, he spent part of his childhood in foster care before being raised by his mother. He began DJing in the 90s after hearing a Litefoot song (with the two touring together in 1999), In the fourth grade, Christian began dancing at powwows. While in elementary school he began to write poetry and later began to rap. He related to rap music because he felt he was going through the same issues that most artists were rapping about. Taking the name 'Supaman' at the spur of the moment in a DJ competition. Supaman began rapping in a more original style until he had a spiritual encounter that told him to live a better lifestyle and rap about more meaningful and inspirational topics. In the spiritual encounter he had, Supaman said his creator " let him know he was to do everything on his own.” 

More information at https://www.supamanhiphop.net/

Supaman and world champion dancer Acosia Red Elk team up on this visually stimulating video for the song called "Why":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiVU-W9VT7Q

Prayer Loop Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0jq7jIa34