Songs for Native American Heritage Month

 In connection with my Alumni activities for Amherst College, for the last ten years I have been an active "facilitator" for both the Black Alumni listserv and the Class of 1975 listserv. This past week, I posted an item entitled "Songs for Native American Heritage Month".  This post continues to move me, so I decided that it should be the first "regular" post for this new beginning.  I hope that it moves you as well.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Fairfield, California

November 28, 2021

88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

In the United States, November is Native American Heritage Month 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_Indian_Heritage_Month

and this year is a special anniversary marking the 400th anniversary of the "First Thanksgiving"

www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/thanksgiving.htm

In celebration of this coming together of two peoples in a harvest of peace, I resume a Friday tradition of sharing music by presenting four selections of some of my favorite Native American musical artists. 

The first is "Until the Eagle Falls" sung by Janice Marie Johnson, the lead singer for A Taste of Honey whose "Boogie Oogie Oogie" is a disco classic.  According to Wikipedia, 

"Janice-Marie Johnson, who is of Stockbridge-Munsee-Mohican heritage according to her website's biography, was inducted in the Native American Music Association Hall of Fame in 2008."

Here is "Until the Eagle Falls"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqhd6yMUWFI

The second is a cover of Sam Cooke's classic "A Change is Gonna Come" sung by Jana Mashonee,  According to Wikipedia,

"Jana is a Native American of Lumbee and Tuscarora descent. She was first introduced to music by her father (who is a singer and drummer).^[2] The surname Mashonee was a native name given to Jana by her family. Of the Siouan language, the translation means "money belt."

Here is her "soulful" rendition of "A Change is Gonna Come"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbCq2sCGqjU

The third is a spirit filled remembrance of Manitoba days, William Prince's "Gospel First Nation".  According to Wikipedia, 

"Born in Selkirk, Manitoba, Prince's family moved to Peguis First Nation when he was a boy.  Prince's father was also a musician and preacher, who recorded a number of albums, and Prince travelled with his father playing gigs in northern Manitoba."

Here is "Gospel First Nation"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU2iejDT7eQ

The fourth is an instrumental that I often play when I return to Amherst College and want to honor those who have gone before ... all those who have gone before.  The song is "Amazing Grace" by R. Carlos Nakai.  According to Wikipedia, 

"Raymond Carlos Nakai was born in Flagstaff, Arizona on April 16, 1946, to a family of Navajo and Ute descent."

and here is his blessed rendition of "Amazing Grace"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulm_pw3Su5s&list=OLAK5uy_nP1csQQcLA0ANJ7yIgoTl3G5OFfEka2Vc&index=13

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins