Tag Archives: Native Woman

Raven visits with Jana Mashonee 5pm Sunday December 2, 2012

Posted on December 2, 2012 | 1 comment

jana

With her new album, New Moon Born, poised to burst onto the mainstream music scene, it’s no wonder Jana Mashonee is all smiles these days. The album represents a significant departure from her previous endeavors, taking on a decidedly more upbeat rhythm and blues flavor. “The album is about rebirth and new beginnings; it reflects a phase in my life that has taken on a different shape and direction from anything I’ve done before,” she says. “This music conveys my personal truths and beliefs.” In addition to

providing all the vocals and piano, Jana wrote and co-produced the album.Since the 2006 release of her GRAMMY-nominated concept album, American Indian Story, the Lumbee Indian singer-songwriter has not had a moment’s rest. Amidst her demanding touring schedule which has taken her to 48 states as well as Europe and Canada, she found time in 2007 to shoot a video for American Indian Story’s first single, “The Enlightened Time.” Met with critical acclaim and enthusiastic fan response, the video has won numerous film festival awards, as well as a NAMMY for Best Short Form Music Video, Jana’s seventh Native American Music Award.

Jana also recorded American Indian Christmas, a unique album of ten traditional Christmas carols, each sung in a different Native American tongue. “I thought it would be special to do this album since many people have never heard, let alone heard sung, a Native language,” she says. Recorded with a full orchestra and traditional Native American instruments, this holiday album continues to receive rave reviews from press and fans alike.

At the start of the new millennium, Jana found success with chart-topping club hits like “More Than Life” and her cover of Led Zeppelin’s epic, “Stairway to Heaven,” earning her the honor of being the first Native American female to land on the Billboard dance charts. Her powerful voice, uplifting message, and exotic beauty and style garnered widespread press attention.

Despite her fast-paced career, Jana has still found time to give back by establishing her non-profit organization, Jana’s Kids, in 2002. Through the foundation, she helps Native American youth achieve their dreams. Starting in 2007, Jana’s Kids began awarding the David L. Boyle Family Scholarship to Native students. “I hope to raise more money so that I can fund a full two to four years of schooling for each person receiving a scholarship. That’s my current goal.”

This is indeed an exciting time for Jana with New Moon Born set to take her career to new heights. Despite this, she is decidedly peaceful. “Find the inspiration within yourself first and then you can help others,” she says. “I believe everyone has the responsibility in their lives to influence other people positively.” Jana Mashonee is truly the embodiment of the ancient Lumbee proverb: “She walks in beauty in two worlds.”
http://www.janamashonee.com/

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Raven visits with Denise Bellecourt Levy- November 18th, 2012 5pm

Posted on November 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

Denise Bellecourt is the first born child of Vernon and Carol Ann (Holmgren) Bellecourt in Saint Paul Minnesota in July of 1960. Vernon and Carol Ann were the owners and operators of two beauty salons in St. Paul. When Denise was four years old the Bellecourt family, including brothers Marcus and Bret, moved to Denver, Colorado. Denise was raised in Denver until she was 15 years old, when she move d back home with her dad Vernon to the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota where her dad is from.

Denise’s dad, Vernon Bellecourt became a major leader in the American Indian Movement in 1968, which caused the breakup of her parents marriage in 1970. Denise became a major helper in her Dad’s home with many responsibilities at a young age. Denise was in charge of helping to raise her brothers and sister. Denise also was totally in charge of keeping her Dad’s children and home when he was gone on his work for AIM. Denise also has two younger siblings, Raven and Blackwolf, from her Dad’s second family with her stepmother Lyna Hart. Denise was brought up in the American Indian Movement from age 10. Denise is an AIM baby who is now a mother of two grown children and two grandsons.

Denise’s son John Clark, was born in 1979. Denise’s son’s father was killed in a tragic car accident in 1979 two months after her son was born. Denise started attending Bemidji State University in 1980 as a single parent. While in college Denise had another child, Adrianne Levy, who was born in 1980. Denise graduated from Bemidji State University in 1986 with a double major in Criminal Justice and Indian Studies. After a brief one year stint at University of North Dakota Law School, Denise quit law school to be home with her young children and work full time.

Denise worked for the White Earth Reservation in many capacities from Receptionist to Adoption Social Worker for nearly 25 years. Denise also worked for Anishinabe Legal Service as a Paralegal after she left employment with the White Earth Reservation Tribal Council. Denise also did a lot of volunteer work her community over the years including Chairwoman of the Local Indian Education Committee where her children and now grandchildren go to school. Denise was instrumental in the coordination of many cultural events and pow-wows in the local school district, at Headstart where she worked as a Multi-Cultural Coordinator with 3 and 4 year olds, and at the Reservation Tribal College where she worked as a Grant Writer for the submission of a grant for a tribal college language program. Denise also was on the White Earth Land Recovery Project Board of Directors where she served in numerous capacities including Chairwoman of the board. Denise also served on the Curriculum Advisory Committee and was the President of the local Parent Teacher Student Organization for the Ogema, White Earth, Waubun School District when her children were attending school there. Denise was the Chairwoman/Coordinator for the White Earth Reservation Annual June Celebration in 2000 and 2001, and was presented an award from the Tribal Council for best celebration ever.

Denise resides on the White Earth Indian Reservation with her husband, Michael Levy. Currently Denise is working on an autobiography of her life, tentatively titled American Indian Movement Daughter regarding her life as a child of AIM leader Vernon Bellecourt. Denise is also working on culturally appropriate books for children.

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September 16th, 2012 at 5pm Tara Evonne Trudell shares her poetry

Posted on September 10, 2012 | 3 comments

Tara Evonne Trudell will share with us her poetry, art, and love of the spoken word. “I started writing poetry again after a 10-year break and was intrigued by the healing process the words brought to the surface. Writing poetry can be like catching butterflies: the words flutter so quickly from deep within and I capture them as quickly as I can on paper. Then I go back and shape the poem, looking at how the words interact,” Trudell said. Trudell, 44, is earning her bachelor of fine arts in media arts with and emphasis in filmmaking. Her films have already garnered awards. The Las Vegas single mother of four returned to Highlands in 2010. Trudell’s roots run deep in Northern New Mexico on her mother’s side, dating back seven generations. Villanueva was named for Trudell’s great-great grandmother, Manuela Villanueva. The poetry reading with her father will be filmed as the culmination of a documentary Trudell is producing from her summer poetry reading series called “Poetry in Random Places.” She is collaborating with fellow media arts student Faith Toledo on the project. Toledo helped film Trudell’s poetry readings this summer at northern New Mexico venues ranging from the Axle Contemporary Gallery and Lucky Bean Café in Santa Fe to the Las Vegas Farmer’s Market. Trudell also filmed herself reading poetry in natural settings such as cornfields and scenic canyons. Trudell’s films are rich in what she calls her earth shots: a flowing river, threes thrashing in the wind, a hawk soaring overhead, clouds filling a leaden sky, a lingering sunset. Earth images also infuse her poetry. “I want people to recognize the beauty of the land and nature and be moved in some way. The more we cultivate our connection to the earth, the stronger we become,” Trudell said.  Trudell is also a human rights activist, with a particular passion for immigration issues. Her poetry was selected for inclusion in the anthology, Poetry of Resistance: A Multicultural Response to Arizona SB 1070 and Other Xenophobic Laws, slated for publication through the University of Arizona Press. The Aug. 19 poetry reading is free but donations are accepted. Proceeds will help with the production expenses for Trudell’s documentary, “Poetry in Random Places.”

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Raven visits with Grandmother Margaret Behan 1-29-2012 4pm

Posted on January 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Description

If we want to see changes first of all we need to be in peace inside ourselves, and then we need to be patient with the ones that have not yet arrived in that place of peace.

Arapahoe-Cheyenne #003300, fourth generation of the Sand Creek Massacre. As a child, Margaret attended the Catholic Mission and Government Boarding Schools. Margaret is a Cheyenne traditional dancer. She has served as a dance leader in Oklahoma and in powwows across the U.S. A sculptress for 30 years, she creates clay figurines that have won her many honors, including shows at Eastern New Mexico University, University of Wisconsin, Santa Fe Indian Market and the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial.

Margaret is an accomplished and published author, poet and playwright. She has presented workshops and retreats for women, adult children of alcoholics and co-dependents. Margaret is currently taking an active role a leader of her tribe as a teacher of Cheyenne Culture and the President of the Cheyenne Elders Council

http://www.grandmotherscouncil.org/about-us/grandmother-bios

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Grandmother Mona Polacca speaks on responding to the call for Humanity. 12/18/2011 at 5PM

Posted on December 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mona Polacca
Hopi/Havasupai/Tewa Arizona

Grandmother Mona Polacca believes that her origins are as important as her name, Polacca, which means ‘the butterfly’ in the Hopi language. In Hopi Iore, the butterfly symbolizes man’s spiritual transformation. On her father’s side, she is a Hopi-Tewa form the Sun and Tabacco Clans. On her mother’s side, Grandmother Mona is Havasupai, the people of the Blue Green Water, form the Grand Canyon area in Arizona…

Mona’s maternal grandfather and great-grandfather were the last chiefs of the Havasupai Nation. She believes their prayers helped make a way for her in this world.

Grandmother Mona lives her life according to her mother’s teaching and takes great care with her speech and actions. “You are not here just for yourself, Grandmother Mona’s mother taught her. Wherever you go, you are a representative of our family Âlour tribe, our people.”

For almost 30 years, Grandmother Mona Polacca has worked in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse. In the 1970s she was given the job to develop substance-abuse programs for tribal youth. She organized inside her culture with youth programs led by elders who shared traditions and life stories. Kids learned traditional songs and games that give them a greater sense of identity, purpose, and direction.

Soon the young people became involved in running the conferences. The youth learn these ways are accessible. Not meant to be just seen under glass in a museum where you can only stand and look, Grandmother Mona says. “Their hands can hold the traditional ways. It’s not just our history, but an essential part of our life today.”

Grandmother Mona has helped several important studies about addictive behavior. One study reveals that the most important way for Native women to overcome substance abuse is the threat of taking away their children. Another study proves that Native youth respond positively to programs with cultural components like sweat lodges, singing, and drumming. Even those living far from their reservations can maintain sobriety through a close connection with the ceremonies.

Today Grandmother Mona lives in Arizona and has a son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. She is now working on her Ph.D. at the Interdisciplinary Justice Studies Department of Arizona State University. When Grandmother Mona first addressed the Grandmothers Council, she embraced them as beautiful relatives of the world. She then explained that the Hopi way of greeting those from other nations is to reach out an open hand to show one has come in peace.

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF THIRTEEN INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHERS

For the Next 7 Generations

Grandmother Mona

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An Evening with Joanne Shenandoah on Make No Bones About It. 5 -6pm 12-4-2011

Posted on December 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Joanne Shenandoah, Ph.D, is one of Americas most celebrated and critically acclaimed musicians. She is a Grammy Award winner, with over 40 music awards (13 Native American Music awards). She has captured the hearts and souls of audiences all over the world, from North and South America, South Africa, Europe, Australia and Korea, has been praised for her work of peace and hope. She is a board member of the Hiawatha Institute for Traditional Knowledge www.hiawatha.syr.edu. Shenandoah has performed at prestigious events such as The White House, Carnegie Hall, 3 Presidential Inaugurations, Madison Square Garden, Crystal Bridges Museum, The NMAI, Hummingbird Centre, Toronto Skydome, The Parliament of the Worlds Religions, (Africa, Spain and Australia) and Woodstock 94.

www.joanneshenandoah.com

Joanne Shenandoah

An Evening with Joanne Shenandoah on Make No Bones About It.

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American Holocaust: When It’s All Over I’ll Still Be Indian

Posted on June 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

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An Evening with Joanelle Romero on “Make No Bones About It.”

Posted on May 28, 2011 | 1 comment

Join Raven has he visits with his guest Joanelle Romero. June 5th, 2011 at 5pm only on KAOS 89.3 FM

Joanelle Romero bio:
Actor – Humanitarian/Singer/Songwriter/Director/Producer (SAG, BMI)

…Red Nation Celebration – Owner/Founder/President/Excutive Director~ Where Culture Meets Community ~ Red Nation at the forefront … In Vision, Creativity, Leadership, Inspiration & Sustainability for American Indian & Indigenous Nations in Media & Arts. ABOUT RED NATION CELEBRATION Heritage, Culture, History, Tradition Red Nation Celebration (RNC) ~ Where Culture Meets Community is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit American Indian arts organization established to present contemporary and traditional American Indian performing arts of diverse artistic disciplines. To encourage understanding of cultural traditions, performing arts, preservation, and the advancement of American Indian, Alaska Native and Indigenous Nations. Red Nation Celebration (RNC) MISSION is dedicated to bringing Native American content and the arts to the mainstream media, new audiences, American Indian & Indigenous communities, and the world by developing partnerships with leaders of the entertainment industries and Tribal Nations.

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Red Nation Music Fest 2011

Posted on April 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

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Samantha Crain the haunting voice behind the music on KAOS 89.3 FM

Posted on December 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Sunday, December 19 · 5:00pm – 6:00pm Join Raven and his guest Samantha  Crain as they explore the voice behind the music.

Samantha  Crain Bio:
Anais Nin said, “Each contact with a human being is so rare, so precious, one should preserve it.” That suggestion was the muse impelling the conception of Samantha Crain’s second LP, You (Understood). Each song on this album rests on a juncture with a person, a real person, and it recounts a particular episode of life wi…th that person. The scenes and the people are not especially unusual or stirring but the idea that the precise installment will never, in all of time, happen again was enough to interest Crain. She is taking a microscope to the simplest of human interactions and feelings, turning them over in her hands, looking at them from all angles, measuring them on all sides, and taking them apart, realizing they really are exceptional but only in the smallest ways.

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