"How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right." -
Black Hawk, Sauk
Monday, February 4, 2008
Featured Performer - Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach
Jan Michael Looking Wolf is a Kalapuya Native American from the Grande Ronde Tribes in NW Oregon. He lives on the reservation with his family and is committed to the path of the native flute. Recording artist, performer, teacher, songwriter, and flute historian, are all descriptions of Looking Wolf's involvement with this ancient instrument. He plays 7 other instruments and has been a musician for over 20 years. With a wide range of styles, Looking Wolf travels from pure solo traditional flute to complex contemporary compilations with multiple instrument accompaniment and vocals.
Each of Looking Wolf's recordings are very different from one another. They range from solo traditional flute, blues and jazz, classical, and flute with contemporary accompaniment. However, always maintaining the focus on the native flute, earning national recognition.
Looking Wolf performs many times a year at various events. Solo flute and presentations with a full band of world instruments. Large concerts, festivals, personal appearances at schools, and non-profit fundraisers. From 2002 to 2005, he has performed at over 200 appearances including: Events with Grammy Winner Mary Youngblood, Carlos R. Nakai, Robert Mirabal, Charles Littleleaf, and for the Oregon Governor, the EPA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Government Agencies, Tribal Leaders at the Oregon Tribal Summit, ONABEN, and a 7,000 person environmental conference in Portland, Oregon.
He has a five piece world instrument group that sometimes plays at concerts with him called, "Rainbow Tribe". This provides for a dynamic presentation designed for larger audiences. Looking Wolf is frequently requested to perform as a solo act as well, with songs and traditional stories.
When not performing, Looking Wolf instructs 'Introduction and History of the Native American Flute', a 3 credit course at Oregon State University where participants learn about the origins and history of native flutes from North America and also learn how to play.
Native Flute music by Looking Wolf is being featured in the motion picture TILLAMOOK TREASURE that will be released into theatres in 2006! He also has a part in the movie as a native flutist which was filmed in fall of 2005. In the modern day scene, Looking Wolf is playing on the beach with Floyd Red Crow Westerman (from the movie Dances with Wolves).
Even though his first recordings were not until early 2002, Looking Wolf has been involved in music since he was 11 years old when he learned to play classical guitar. After that he moved on to other instruments - the piano, bass guitar, and percussion. In 1994, he suffered two large strokes from a rare genetic disorder prone to Native Americans and was a paraplegic for almost a year. After a miraculous 100 healing, he focused on native spiritual practices and traditions. During this period he received his first native flute as a gift.
He reflects, "From the first time I played it, I knew that this was the reason I survived the strokes. I could actually hear my ancestors through it. Every breath we have is a gift from Creator, so the songs also belong to him."
If you are interested in more information, Jan Michael Looking Wolf is available for interviews and appearances. Contact Cedarfeather Productions for scheduling and touring information - www.cedarfeather.com or by phone 503 474-0975.
To sample some of his work click here: http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/987632-Music-Inspirational
Each of Looking Wolf's recordings are very different from one another. They range from solo traditional flute, blues and jazz, classical, and flute with contemporary accompaniment. However, always maintaining the focus on the native flute, earning national recognition.
Looking Wolf performs many times a year at various events. Solo flute and presentations with a full band of world instruments. Large concerts, festivals, personal appearances at schools, and non-profit fundraisers. From 2002 to 2005, he has performed at over 200 appearances including: Events with Grammy Winner Mary Youngblood, Carlos R. Nakai, Robert Mirabal, Charles Littleleaf, and for the Oregon Governor, the EPA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Government Agencies, Tribal Leaders at the Oregon Tribal Summit, ONABEN, and a 7,000 person environmental conference in Portland, Oregon.
He has a five piece world instrument group that sometimes plays at concerts with him called, "Rainbow Tribe". This provides for a dynamic presentation designed for larger audiences. Looking Wolf is frequently requested to perform as a solo act as well, with songs and traditional stories.
When not performing, Looking Wolf instructs 'Introduction and History of the Native American Flute', a 3 credit course at Oregon State University where participants learn about the origins and history of native flutes from North America and also learn how to play.
Native Flute music by Looking Wolf is being featured in the motion picture TILLAMOOK TREASURE that will be released into theatres in 2006! He also has a part in the movie as a native flutist which was filmed in fall of 2005. In the modern day scene, Looking Wolf is playing on the beach with Floyd Red Crow Westerman (from the movie Dances with Wolves).
Even though his first recordings were not until early 2002, Looking Wolf has been involved in music since he was 11 years old when he learned to play classical guitar. After that he moved on to other instruments - the piano, bass guitar, and percussion. In 1994, he suffered two large strokes from a rare genetic disorder prone to Native Americans and was a paraplegic for almost a year. After a miraculous 100 healing, he focused on native spiritual practices and traditions. During this period he received his first native flute as a gift.
He reflects, "From the first time I played it, I knew that this was the reason I survived the strokes. I could actually hear my ancestors through it. Every breath we have is a gift from Creator, so the songs also belong to him."
If you are interested in more information, Jan Michael Looking Wolf is available for interviews and appearances. Contact Cedarfeather Productions for scheduling and touring information - www.cedarfeather.com or by phone 503 474-0975.
To sample some of his work click here: http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/987632-Music-Inspirational
Indian Trust Funds: It's broke, so fix it
Opinion editorial - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The federal government took a healthy slap on the wrist last week from a judge for having its hand billions of dollars deep into Indian trust accounts. We hope the latest in a long line of rebukes will spur a righting of financial wrongs to Indian landholders that now stretch from the late 1880s into the 21st century.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson said the Interior Department has unreasonably delayed an accounting of how many billions it owes. He also noted considerable effort by Interior, and blamed Congress in part for failing to provide adequate funding for the difficult research.
Robertson plans to hold a hearing on how to remedy the lack of proper federal accounting. As he also said in his ruling, "The time has come to bring this suit to a close."
The suit began in 1996 with a filing by Elouise Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, who called Robertson's ruling "a great day." Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., told The Associated Press, "Ultimately the question is going to be for the administration and the Justice Department, are they willing to settle for all of these years of mismanagement." Let's not forget that the problems stretch back generations, through administrations and Congresses controlled by both parties.
An election year could complicate the question, but the Bush administration knows the issues. An early government effort to reach a fair, generous settlement agreement would be an act of justice worthy of the term "legacy." More important, a settlement would begin to rebuild hundreds of thousands of Americans' true legacies.
The federal government took a healthy slap on the wrist last week from a judge for having its hand billions of dollars deep into Indian trust accounts. We hope the latest in a long line of rebukes will spur a righting of financial wrongs to Indian landholders that now stretch from the late 1880s into the 21st century.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson said the Interior Department has unreasonably delayed an accounting of how many billions it owes. He also noted considerable effort by Interior, and blamed Congress in part for failing to provide adequate funding for the difficult research.
Robertson plans to hold a hearing on how to remedy the lack of proper federal accounting. As he also said in his ruling, "The time has come to bring this suit to a close."
The suit began in 1996 with a filing by Elouise Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, who called Robertson's ruling "a great day." Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., told The Associated Press, "Ultimately the question is going to be for the administration and the Justice Department, are they willing to settle for all of these years of mismanagement." Let's not forget that the problems stretch back generations, through administrations and Congresses controlled by both parties.
An election year could complicate the question, but the Bush administration knows the issues. An early government effort to reach a fair, generous settlement agreement would be an act of justice worthy of the term "legacy." More important, a settlement would begin to rebuild hundreds of thousands of Americans' true legacies.
Two Blackfeet women spread inspiration
By: Babette Herrmann
BROWNING, Mont. - Nearly one year has passed since Carla Lott and Amber Gopher were recognized by the Blackfeet Tribe for becoming the first American Indian women to be commissioned as officers in their branch of the military.
The April 2007 event took both women back to their hometown of Browning at the Blackfeet Community College. Gopher, now a 2nd Lt., received her commissioning oath for the Montana Air National Guard's 120th Fighter Wing.
1st Lt. Lott, the first American Indian female commissioned officer in the Montana Army National Guard, swore her in. But the event honored both women for their outstanding achievement. Maj. Gen. Randall Mosley and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester attended the event and spoke in their honor.
Both come from families with a rich history of military service.
At a name giving ceremony, Gopher was honored with her great-grandmother's name, ''Good Victory.''
''I was very humbled,'' she said. ''It turned out to be a good victory.'' The name is fitting for the 29-year-old.
Prior to joining the military in 2001, she became a registered nurse and currently works as a nurse at a hospital in Great Falls, Mont. Her job as an officer puts her in charge of drug testing. ''It's a big position,'' she said. ''It's people's careers that are the line.''
Get the whole story here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416573
BROWNING, Mont. - Nearly one year has passed since Carla Lott and Amber Gopher were recognized by the Blackfeet Tribe for becoming the first American Indian women to be commissioned as officers in their branch of the military.
The April 2007 event took both women back to their hometown of Browning at the Blackfeet Community College. Gopher, now a 2nd Lt., received her commissioning oath for the Montana Air National Guard's 120th Fighter Wing.
1st Lt. Lott, the first American Indian female commissioned officer in the Montana Army National Guard, swore her in. But the event honored both women for their outstanding achievement. Maj. Gen. Randall Mosley and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester attended the event and spoke in their honor.
Both come from families with a rich history of military service.
At a name giving ceremony, Gopher was honored with her great-grandmother's name, ''Good Victory.''
''I was very humbled,'' she said. ''It turned out to be a good victory.'' The name is fitting for the 29-year-old.
Prior to joining the military in 2001, she became a registered nurse and currently works as a nurse at a hospital in Great Falls, Mont. Her job as an officer puts her in charge of drug testing. ''It's a big position,'' she said. ''It's people's careers that are the line.''
Get the whole story here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416573
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
