Blogs

  • California Budget Cuts May Force Native School’s Closure

    Submitted by gemmagivens on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 05:00

    OAKLAND, C.A. – A school in the San Francisco Bay area with roots to a historical occupation and a graduation activity that involves 3-year old students beading their own graduation belts may soon close its doors.

    Students, alumni, parents, staff and community members have pledged to do whatever it takes to save Hintil Kuu Ca, a pre-kindergarten child development center (CDC) they say is unlike any other.

    “They teach us to be proud of our culture and not to shy away from it,” said Raven Garcia, a former Hintil student.

    Hintil Kuu Ca is one of seven CDCs currently listed for closure at the end of August. Funding for early childhood education in California has been suspended due to the budget crisis in Sacramento.

    Pomo for “the Indian children’s place,” Hintil Kuu Ca is the only Native American CDC in an urban area in California. Started in 1974, the idea originated from a school called Red Rock School created during an occupation of Alcatraz Island by Native American protestors from November 1969 to June 1971. Hintil currently serves 119 children.

    “Eighty percent of Hintil graduates have graduated high school in the last five years,” says Terri Littlejohn. “They really take pride in who they are and learn to speak out when things are wrong.”

    Christopher Dobbins, vice president of District 6 of the Oakland Board of Education, introduced legislation at a recent Oakland Unified School District meeting to pull Hintil off the closure list. The finance and human resources committees will view the legislation Aug. 30.

    “Hopefully, this discussion will be moot, because if the budget gets passed, it will fund early education, and it won’t be an issue.”

    Dobbins and the Hintil community are looking for other funding sources to keep the school open. Dobbins said the school’s history and diverse student body may make it eligible for funding that other schools can’t get.

    “We’re looking to meet with state assembly person Joe Coto, who’s in charge of Indian gaming in the state of California, and we’re going to look at possibly getting help from casinos to keep this center open,” he said.

    Parents see this as an opportunity to build a supportive network with casino tribes.

    “I want to see not only funding from casinos but also a commitment to the Native children so that it’s not just an avenue to receive more funding,” said Morning Star Gali.

    Staff, parents, and community members hope the Oakland Unified School District upholds its 1992 resolution that pledged support for providing Native American children a culturally sensitive education through Hintil. In the meantime, families will have to continue waiting to see if their children can attend Hintil.

    Former student Garcia has volunteered to do whatever she can to support Hintil.

    “We love it there, and we want to keep it open for our future generations to come,” she said.

     

  • Celebrating Native Music Rocks

    Submitted by AIROS Native Network on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 21:13

    Micki FreeThis edition of NS-NV, we celebrate the Native Music Rocks festivals. Native Music Rocks is a project that is funded by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and is led by Micki Free (Cherokee and Comanche). Also performing with Micki are Keith Secola (Ojibwa) and Casper Lomayesva (Navajo and Hopi). We thought we would include some songs from these artist, sort like a preview of their concerts. If going to these concerts is not an option then tune into Native Sounds Native Voices every Thursday morning from 8 – 10 a.m. CT for great Native Music that rocks. Log onto the web at www.KZUM.org and www.AIROS.org.

    “Rant and Roll”  (Johnny Damas and Me) John Trudell
    “Cement Prairie” (Silent Warrior) XIT
    “Cold, Cold World” (Windfall “Falling Down”) Chester Knight and the Wind
    “Ruler of my Heart” (Indians Indians) Robert Mirabal
    “Rise and Fall of Jimmy Stokes” (Guitar Preacher: The Polydor Years) Link Wray
    “Where are you” (Sacred Stage) James Bilagody and The Cremains
     “Hell Hound on my Trail" (I’ve Been Drifting From Door to Door) Jimmy Wolf
    “Lucky Number Seven” (American Horse) Micki Free
    “Overwhelming” (Silence is a Weapon) Blackfire
    “Millenium cars”  (Fingermonkey) Keith Secola
    “Dream Marquee” ([Dream Marquee) The Atoll
    “Honor the People” (Honor the People) Casper Lomayesva
    “Frybread” (Rain Us Love) Native Roots
    “Honey Be” (When Worlds Collide) Red Earth
    “Cho cho fire” (Running for the Drum) Buffy Sainte-Marie
    “Strong & Beautiful” (We Are) Digging Roots

  • Native Sounds: Bill Miller

    Submitted by AIROS Native Network on Fri, 08/13/2010 - 16:47

    Bill Miller is a member of the Mohican tribe, he grew up in Wisconsin on the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation. He started playing guitar as a young boy but didn't see it as a way to become famous. He actually had dreams of becoming a visual artist. He studied art in College and played locally in Milwaukee. Since then Bill has won prestige awards from the Native American Music Association and three Grammy’s.  I recently spoke with Bill Miller about his music as well as an experience performing a symphonic piece about the battle of little big horn and an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Show from the red carpet at the Grammy’s.

    Bill’s recent release Chronicles of Hope was released this June 2010. To preview Chronicles of Hope log onto his web site, www.billmillerarts.com, and also follow him on social networking sites Facebook and myspace.com. Bill is also featured in the DVD For the Generations: Native Story and Performance which can be found at visionmaker.org

    "I Believe" (Spirit Rain)
    "Raven In The Snow" (Raven in the Snow)
    "In Every Corner of the Forest Part 1" (Raven in the Snow)
    "Different Drum" (Reservation Road: Live)
    "Ghost Dance" (Ghost Dance)

    Interview with Bill | Bill's web page | Native Sounds podcast | Bill's myspace page

     

  • IAIA Digital Dome

    Submitted by klasiloo on Fri, 08/13/2010 - 16:42

     

    The Institute of American Indian Arts introduces new technology with the construction of their Digital Dome.

     

  • In Memory Of Cherokee Chief John Ross

    Submitted by AIROS Native Network on Fri, 08/06/2010 - 21:09

     This hour of Native Sounds-Native voices (NS-NV) Tobias (Omaha, Dakota, Navajo and Cherokee) and Aden (Rosebud Sioux) dedicated a playlist to Cherokee Principal Chief John Ross. He crossed over into the spirit world in 1866. He was known for disputing the removal of the Cherokee to Oklahoma otherwise known as “The Trail of Tears”. Also involved in the Cherokees remaining in North Carolina was a farmer by the name of Tsali. As the story goes he was involved in a scuffle with U.S. soldiers, one soldier was accidentally shot and killed. Tsali was to blame and the government was out to get the last of the Cherokee who were hiding out in the Smokey Mountains. The government was going to make a deal with the remaining Cherokees.  If Tsali would stand trial for murder the rest of the tribe could stay in North Carolina. This is how the Eastern Band of Cherokee came to remain in the Native land of North Carolina.

    And to commemorate John Ross the Principal Chief of the Cherokee we put together a list of contemporary Cherokee artists like Rita Coolidge, Michael Bucher and Litefoot. I am of Cherokee descent and visited Cherokee, North Carolina during the summer of 2010. It was there that I got to observe a drama that reenacted the events that led up to the “Trail of Tears”. For more information about the Eastern Band of Cherokee log onto their website at www.cherokee-nc.com. Listen to the live broadcast of Native Sounds-Native Voices every Thursday morning from 8 – 10 a.m. CT on the web at KZUM.org or at AIROS.org.

    - Tobias Grant, NS-NV Co-Host

    “Reservation Blues” (Reservation Blues) Jim Boyd
    “Long Ago An Indian” (Indian Boy) Edmund Bull
    “Eagles in the Sky” (Lady) Jackie Bird
    “Dakota Skies” (Dakota Skies) David Lohnes Jr.
    “Born Under a Bad Sign” (Greatest Hits) Rita Coolidge
    “Play that Deadly Jam” (Black Wokf’s Blues) Wade Fernandez
    “Cherokee Rose” (Seven) Michael Bucher
    “Still” (To all the wild horses) Cherokee Rose
    “Muddy road” (Walela) Walela
    “Cherokee Stomp & For my people” (Good Day to Die) Litefoot
    “Another Bad Deal” (Fortune Teller) Robert Richmond
     

  • Language Revitalization Efforts

    Submitted by klasiloo on Tue, 08/03/2010 - 16:17

    SANTA FE, N.M. - The Indigenous Language Institute is doing all it can to combat the extinction of indigenous languages, a vital part of Native people’s identity. Native American stories, history and prayers are all passed down orally. But Native American languages are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger, there are 191 endangered languages in the United States, 74 of which are listed as critically endangered.

     The Indigenous Language Institute's Guiding Philosophy is to create speakers of endangered indigenous languages while there are still speakers left. The institute is working to turn the tide of indigenous language decline within 10 years so that those languages can become a vibrant component of everyday life in Native communities. First founded in 1992 as the Institute for the Preservation of the Original Languages of the Americas by Joanna Hess, the institute has been working diligently to preserve and spread original indigenous languages throughout Native communities.

    The institute offers a number of resources to communities and individuals interested in participating, including workshops geared at producing digital stories, films, textbooks, teaching aids and other types of media in the participant's language. "Two of the workshops that are quite popular, that we like to share with everyone is our technology workshops,” said Rachael Nez, workshop coordinator for the institute. “One is creating short videos using your language, and the other is creating print materials, like broachers, calendars and storybooks in your language."

    Nez said the institute has worked with numerous Native American communities throughout the United States, providing different types of training and workshops to help communities make languages visible and accessible. With the use of technology, the institute is trying to bridge the gap between Native elders and youth. The institute strives to help community members create quality multimedia projects and stories that they can then take back to their communities and utilize.

    Advocates for Native language preservation say language loss has hurt Native youth, who have struggled to connect to their culture and find an identity. Daisy Thompson, director of the Albuquerque school district's Indian Education Department, told the Associated Press in a July 2009 story that research shows that becoming disconnected from their culture leads to a lack of motivation among Native American students and can leave students behind academically.

    In the same article, Inee Slaughter, the executive director of the institute said, while tribes nationwide often offer summer Native language programs, it's uncommon for them to be offered in public schools. She went on to say that New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington lead the country in licensing Native Americans to teach their languages in public schools.

    The institute’s efforts have not gone unnoticed: Their workshop, “Ancient Voices, Modern Tools: Native Languages and Technology,” was the national winner of the Third Annual Verizon Tech Savvy Awards. The institute was awarded a $25,000 grant to expand and continue their work. “I'd like to see the institute really grow,” Nez said. “So we can help a lot more people, reach a lot more communities and be able to do everything that everyone wants.”

    It seems the institute is well on its way to that goal.

  • Native Reggae and Hip Hop Show

    Submitted by AIROS Native Network on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 22:00

    We play a variety of music on NS-NV and the music genre that gets the least amount of air time is Native Hip Hop. So, we asked our friends and searched the web to explore some Native Hip Hop artists and put them on our Hip Hop playlist. We thought it would be fun and give something our younger listeners can appreciate. We enjoyed putting this playlist together because I (Tobias –Omaha, Dakota, Navajo & Cherokee) got to interview two of the artists. It was in May that I interviewed Chase Manhattan. He is from Minnesota and travels to Pow-Wows promoting his album. He also recorded a few songs that expresses his Native Pride. Also included in the playlist are two Native artist from Rapid City, SD. Buddaz n Stephen, for those who don't know about them we included them on this list. S.A.V.A.G.E. F.A.M. is an acronym for Standing Against Violent Adversaries and Genocidal Environments Forever Always Movement. Their track titled "Prayer Song" features a kids drum group from Thunder Valley, SD. Also we got to mention Casper Loma-Da-Wa, his is a reggea artitst from Hopiland, AZ. This is just a few examples of the artists from our Hip Hop playlist. The songs in this playlist also make reference to their Native culture, Native Pride and just fun to play on the program. Listen to the live broadcast every Thursday morning from 8 a.m – 10 a.m. C.D.T. and on the web at KZUM.org and AIROS.org. The interviews can also be found on the Native Sounds podcast page at AIROS.org and also at the bottom of this blog.

    “Southern Man” (Harmony Nights) Cheevers Toppah & Landry
    “Angel Eyes” (Northern Lights) Buddaz & Stephen
    “What’s Good” (The List) Eekwol & Mils
    “Honor the People” (Honor the People) Casper Loma-Da-Wa
    “Mother Earth” (Injunity) Julian B
    “Coconut Girl” (Pick a Hit Hawaii) Brother Noland
    “Indian Outlaw” (The Black Star) Joey Stylez
    “Stand up for Human Pride” (Indian Rezervation) Pura FE’
    “Creator Please” (EP) S.A.V.A.G.E. Family
    “Native Pride” (Tacoma’s Finest) Tacoma’s Finest
    “Original 2 Step” (Tribal Tribulations) Chase Manhattan
    “Go Back” (Indian Rezervation blues) Leilani
    “Need You” (Northern Lights) Buddaz and Stephen

    Chase Manhattan interview | Casper Loma-Da-Wa interview

  • Its a Native American Music Fest

    Submitted by AIROS Native Network on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 21:19

    This edition of Native Sounds-Native Voices (NSNV) Tobias (Omaha, Dakota, Navajo and Cherokee) and Aden (Rosebud Sioux) put together a playlist of easy listening songs from Native Artists. We included Daryl Tonemah who is a Grammy nominated artist and performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. We also included Arigon Starr who is a Native American Music Awards (NAMA) winner, composer and performer in The Red Road and all around Native entertainer.  Last but not least Keith Secola, The Plateros and Indigenous who all have performed at Stage 49, a three day Native American music festival in conjunction with The Gathering of Nations Pow-wow in Albuquerque, NM. In other words, it was a short Native American music festival. We are always looking to impress our audience with Native artists and all their accomplishments. Tune in every Thursday morning from 8 a.m. – 10 a. m. C.D.T. on the web at KZUM.org or AIROS.org to listen to the live broadcast of Native Sounds-Native Voices.

    “Combustible” (One in every crowd) Tonemah
    “Apache A-Go Go” (Wind-up) Arigon Starr
    "House of The Rising Sun” (No Lies) Curtis Cardinal
    “Bone Days” (Bone Days) John Trudell
    “Wide Open Spaces” (Wild Band of Indians) Keith Secola
    “Piney Wood Hills" (Up Where We Belong) Buffy Sainte-Marie
    “Still” (Tracks South) Cherokee Rose
    “Fool Me Again” (The Acoustic Sessions) Indigenous
    “Forever I’m With You” (Hang On) The Plateros
    “My Mind is Ramblin” (I’ve Been Driftin From Door To Door) Jimmy Wolf
    “Run Through The Jungle” (Shadowman) Link Wray
    “Whiskey Breath” (Swagger) Lucie Idlout

  • Awesome Native Rock Bands from the '70s and '80s

    Submitted by AIROS Native Network on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 21:25

    Co-hosts of Native Sounds-Native Voices Tobias (Omaha, Dakota, Navajo, and Cherokee) and Aden (Rosebud) realized that the '70s and ‘80s produced a lot of Native rock n roll bands. So we figured why not feature a playlist with these artists on the show. We found some good music that is still cool to play on the radio today! Unlike some of those one hit wonders from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Natives understood what it takes to make great music. This was a fun show and we enjoyed playing these songs. As a child of the ‘80s I (Tobias) feel as though a lot good music came from the ‘80s. It was the ‘80s when Mtv was the channel to watch the hottest new music videos. We should all go to the video store and rent Back to the Future right now. But if you can’t make it then please enjoy this playlist of Native rock n roll bands. Also listen to the live broadcast of NS-NV Thursday mornings from 8 - 10 a.m. C.D.T. on the web at KZUM.org or AIROS.org.

    “Space Trip To Nowhere” (Plain Chppewa/Metis Music From Turtle Mountain) Rod Poitra
    “Fallin’ Rain” (Guitar Preacher) Link Wray
    “Nothing Could Be Finer Then A 49er” (Relocation) XIT
    “Thunderbirds” (Freedom) Chester Knight and the Wind
    “NDN Kars” (Circle) Keith Secola
    “I Am Indian” (Space Age Indian) Tiger Tiger
    “Come and Get Your Love” (Greatest Songs) Redbone
    “Indian Boy Country Song” (Reservation Bound) Jim Boyd
    “Got To Save It” (Electric Warriors) Winter Hawk
    “Eagle Cries His Song” (Sacred Voice) December Wind
    “Native Pride” (Hollywood Indian) No Reservations
    “Truck Stop Cheii” (Sacred Stage) James Bilagody & The Cremains
    “The Power is Out” (Silence Is A Weapon) BlackFire

  • Most Infamous Native Guitarist Micki Free

    Submitted by AIROS Native Network on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 20:37

    For this show, Native Sounds-Native Voices co-hosts Tobias and Aden featured blues and folk music from Native artists. Included in the playlist are contemporary artists like Amber Adair, folk artist A. Paul Ortega, blues artist Clinton J. Miller and Micki Free who also played with Prince. Micki Free is also mentioned on the "Dave Chapelle Show" during one of the skits. Micki states on his web site that being mentioned on the show made him infamous overnight. To see the video log onto YouTube and search Prince vs Charlie Murphy [warning explicit content]. Another YouTube artist that made this playlist is Joey Stylez. To see music videos from Joey Stylez log onto YouTube and search Joey Stylez. He is Cree Métis from Canada and released his first album February 2010. He is also nominated for an aboriginal peoples choice award and users can log onto www.aboriginalpeopleschoice.com and vote for their favorite artists. Also tune into the live broadcast of Native Sounds-Native Voices Thursday mornings from 8 – 10 a.m. C.D.T. on the web at KZUM.org or at AIROS.org.

    “Chicago” (Indian Rezervation Blues) A. Paul Ortega
    “My Skin is Red” (Rez Boy) Clinton J. Miller
    “Dream On” (Take Note) Amber Adair
    “Apache Moon” (Lonely Warrior) Yolanda Martinez
    “Ooh baby, baby" (Single) Jana
    “Get high” (Skin tight blues) Sandy Scofield
    “NDN Cars remix” (Single) Joey Stylez
    “Rise” (Messenger King) Clinton J. Miller
    “Native Music Rocks” (Native Music Rocks) Micki Free
    “Beautiful Women” (EP) Roger Cultee
    “Small Town Boy” (EP) Once upon us

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