Native Roots and Rhythms Concert, August 17, Santa Fe

CONTACT: Melissa L. SanchezP.O. Box 93095 Albuquerque, NM 87199

Phone: 505 620 8539 Fax: 505 212 0074
melissa@emergenceproductions.info

13th Annual Native Roots & Rhythms Festival

The Native Roots & Rhythms Festival is recognized as one of the nation’s top venues for contemporary and traditional Native American performing arts. Over the past 12 years, the event has provided an exciting variety of entertainment for regional, national and international audiences of all ages. Held during the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market weekend, this year’s program continues the ambitious scope and caliber of previous productions. The event will showcase music, dance, storytelling, comedy, poetry and multimedia imagery. Between acts, film segments will be projected onto large on-stage screens. Please see the attached performers’ profiles sheet. Funded in part by the NM Department of Cultural Affairs


Show Information:
Date: Friday, August 17, 2007
Time: Gates open at 6:30 PM; Show at 7:30 PM
Where: Paolo Soleri Amphitheater, 1501 Cerrillos Rd. Santa, NM (Santa Fe Indian School campus)
Tickets: 505 988-1234, www.ticketssantafe.com, Lensic Box Office
Prices: $23 General Admission, $38 Reserved, $45 Premium Seating
- Students with ID $15 and 12 & under Free (must be accompanied by parent or guardian)
Web: www.nrrfestival.com Myspace: nativerootsandrhythms Email: info@nrrfestival.com
Flyers: down load flyers at www.nrrfestival.com

• NR&R is working with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) to provide performers for the Santa Fe Plaza Stage during the days of Indian Market on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19.

• NR&R worked the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences & contributed to the 2001 establishment of a Native American category for the Grammy Awards.

• NR&R has featured over 500 of the best contemporary, traditional and mainstream performing artists of Native America, including Grammy Award and Native American Music Award winners/nominees: Black Eagle, R. Carlos Nakai Quartet, Buffy Ste. Marie, Joanne Shenandoah, Robert Mirabal, Bill Miller, Primeaux & Mike, Mary Youngblood, Randy Wood, Native Roots, Jim Boyd, and Keith Secola.


PERFORMER PROFILES

JAMES AND ERNIE
Performance: Comedy www.jamesandernie.com

The hardest working and hottest comedy act in Indian Country, James & Ernie are the first ever Native American comedy duo and they are “serious about comedy!” They entertain with musical antics, unique reservation humor, and an array of props. Along with sidesplitting comedy, the pair delivers a positive message promoting healthy lifestyle choices such as saying no to drugs, alcohol and domestic violence. Their material is an experience for all ages. James and Ernie stole the show at the American Indian Film Festival and the Native American Music Awards (Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hotel, FL). They have also performed at conferences, tribal fairs and casinos. James & Ernie have also released a DVD and star in the independent film “Milepost 398.”


AMOKURA
Music Style: Traditional Maori Song and Dance

AMOKURA is a traditional Maori performing arts group from Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud), otherwise known as New Zealand. AMOKURA is a pan-tribal group with members affiliating from many different tribes throughout Aotearoa. The group’s members also have an affiliation with AMO Inc., a national leadership development program inspired by the Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO) Ambassador Program based in New Mexico. AMOKURA will be presenting a variety of traditional Maori performances including traditional chants, action songs, implement medleys and “haka.” Experience AMOKURA - Experience Aotearoa!


JOHN TRUDELL & BAD DOG
Musical Style: A combination of spoken word with traditional Native music and Rock & Roll. www.johntrudell.com

John Trudell is an acclaimed poet, national recording artist, actor and orator whose creative work is rooted in an indigenous perspective and integrates contemporary themes ranging from love to politics to the environment. Trudell released his first album, Tribal Voice, in 1983 and then joined with legendary Kiowa guitarist Jesse Ed Davis to produce three other albums. Following Davis ’s untimely death, Trudell formed his current band and has released six additional works. His last two albums, Blue Indians and Bone Days, were executive produced by Jackson Browne and Angelina Jolie, respectively. Trudell will release a new album in the summer of 2007 entitled Madness and The Moremes. In addition to his music career, Trudell has published two books of poetry and appeared in a number of major motion pictures, including Thunderheart and Smoke Signals. He lectures throughout the year at colleges and universities nationally on his philosophy of life and coherent thinking. The documentary TRUDELL, which premiered in 2005, tells the story of John’s life and evolution from an activist with Indian of All Tribes and the American Indian Movement to an artist today.

DISCOGRAPHY
“DNA, Descendant now Ancestor” (spoken word only), 2002
“Bone Days”, 2002
“Blue Indians”, 1999
Box set collection of digitally re-mastered cassettes from 1983-1992, including “Tribal Voice”, “But This Isn’t El Salvador”, and the original “AKA Graffiti Man”, 2003

DARREN GEFFRE
Musical Style: Pop/Rock www.darrengeffre.com

Darren Geffre, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, is a top-40 pop/rock artist from South Dakota whose stage presence is distinguished by vibrant and endless energy! Notable music achievements include: A 2001 Native American Music Award Best Independent Recording nomination for the single "If I Ever”, 2003 First Americans in the Arts "Outstanding Musical Performance", "Uncivilized" album has sold over 9,000 copies, resulting in a 2004 entry level Grammy nominations for "Best New Artist" and "Album of the Year”, 2004 "Award of Distinction" Indian Summerfest Music Video Award and nominee "Best Pop album". Notable interviews include: LA's Pacifica Radio, NPR (National Public Radio), National Native News, The American Indian Cable Network (Comcast), and XM Satellite Radio. Also on his talent resume: featured in Men's Health Magazine, Native Peoples Magazine, APTN (Aboriginal People's Television Network), TNT's "Into the West" and ABC Family's "Wildfire" pilot. In 2003, Darren's music landed #1 on 9 different CMJ College Radio stations with radio play on 180 radio stations across the United States and Canada. Currently, Darren is working on a new album with artist and producer “Def Jef” who has previously worked with artists such as Nas, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tupac Shakur.

DISCOGRAPHY
“Uncivilized”, produced by Pete Amato and Duncan Pain, 2004
“Audiobiography”, was produced by Tim Andersen and Def Jef, 2006

TAMARA PODEMSKI
Musical Style: A world-music fusion within the folk/rock genre www.tamarapodemski.com

WINNER OF 2 ABORIGINAL MUSIC AWARDS: BEST FEMALE ARTIST & SONGWRITER
WINNER OF THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE FOR ACTING AT THE SUNDANCE FESTIVAL

After starring in the Broadway production of RENT, Tamara Podemski launched her singing career by fronting the Los Angeles-based, World Music band, SPIRIT NATION, as the lead singer and Ojibway-lyricist. In 2001, their album, "Winter Moons," was released internationally under the Triloka/Karuna Music label, distributed by BMG, and later by KOCH Entertainment.In 2003, Tamara recorded, SPIRIT VOICES under the pseudonym Ceshia Anaquod, this time writing both the music and Ojibway lyrics. The album was released worldwide under the Somerset Entertainment label. Launching her own record label in 2005, Tamara wrote and co-produced her first video, "Meegwetch," in cooperation with BravoFACT!, and had famed Canadian director, Bruce McDonald, bring her vision to the screen, garnering several awards.Tamara always infuses spirituality, passion and pride into her music. She challenges her audiences to look in the mirror and question themselves. Her lyrics provoke, her voice empowers, her presence on stage inspires. In a time of social unrest, distorted media images and human disconnectedness, Tamara is an important voice to be heard.Discography”Winter Moons”, Spirit Nation (2002 Karuna Music)”Spirit Voices”, Ceshia Anaquod [pseudonym] (2003 Reflections)”Tamara”, Tamara Podemski (2005 Mukwa Music)

FILM CLIP
“Four Sheets to the Wind” A 2007 Sundance Film Festival feature by Director/screenwriter Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Creek)
When Cufé Smallhill finds his father dead, he keeps his promise and sinks his body in the family pond. In the midst of mourning and organizing a phony traditional funeral to satisfy the community, Cufé realizes that he must explore life outside the reservation. His sister invites him to visit her in the big city of Tulsa, opening the door to a world of possibilities. Infused with a warm sense of humor, director Sterlin Harjo’s delightful first feature creates a rich Oklahoma atmosphere with easy country rhythms, while Cody Lightning and Tamara Podemski (winner of the Special Jury Prize for Acting) give compelling performances.
The Pueblos of New Mexico
Member’s of the 19 Pueblo’s of New Mexico will begin the night with a grand entry colorful presentation, welcoming visitors to the Native Roots & Rhythms Festival, their homelands and the State of New Mexico! The beautiful Pueblo song and dance presentation will be followed by a traditional Pueblo “throw” in which “goodies” will be thrown to audience members. A Pueblo “throw” is a form of celebration through giving.

Tehran Times: Leonard Peltier, Remembering victims of reign of terror

http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=7/2/2007&Cat=2&Num=003
Remembering the victims of the reign of terror
By Leonard Peltier
For the past thirty-two years supporters have gathered at Oglala to honor the lives that were lost on June 26, 1975 and in the “reign of terror”. This year will be the eighth year that the Oglala Commemoration Committee has sponsored the gathering. For those of us who were unable to physically attend the gathering at Oglala, we each honor and remember this day in our own special way. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the victims from the “reign of terror”. In Memory Of:
Frank Clearwater, Buddy LaMont, Sandra Wounded Foot, Leo Wilcox, Clarence Cross, Priscilla White Plume, Julius Bad Heart Bull, Melvin Spider, Philip Black Elk, Aloysius Long Soldier, Phillip Little Crow, Allison Fast Horse, Edward Means, Jr., Edward Standing Soldier, Roxeine Roark, Dennis Lecompte, Jackson Washington Cutt, Robert Reddy, Delphiene Crow Dog, Elaine Wagner, Floyd Bianas, Yvette Loraine Lone Hill, Leon L. Swift Bird, Martin Montileaux, Stacy Cortier, Edith Eagle Hawk, Jeanette Bissonette, Richard Eagle, Hilda R. Good Buffalo, Jancita Eagle Deer, Ben Sitting Up, Kenneth Little, Leah Spotted Elk, Joseph Stuntz, James Brings Yellow, Andrew Paul Stewart, Randy Hunter, Howard Blue Bird, Jim Little, Olivia Bianas, Janice Black Bear, Michelle Tobacco, Carl Plenty Arrows, Frank LaPointe, Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, Lydia Cut Grass, Byron Desersa, Lena R. Slow Bear, Hobart Horse, Cleveland Reddest, Betty Jo Dubray, Marvin Two Two, Julia Pretty Hips, Sam Afraid of Bear, Kevin Hill, and Betty Means. You will always be in my prayers. Do what you can, where you can, from where you stand and -- to quote Sitting Bull – let’s see what kind of nation we can make for our children. I don’t say I love you easily but I want you to know that I love you -- my heart is with you and never, never, never give up!
Leonard Peltier # 89637-132 U.S.P. Lewisburg,
P.O. Box 1000, Lewisburg, PA USA 17837
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
www.leonardpeltier.net

Pan Left, truth-telling with art and video

(Photo: Backpacks left behind in the desert by migrants. More than 4,000 people, including many Indigenous Peoples from Mexico and Central America, have died in the Southwest desert. Photo 2: Pancho Medina faces off with his work. Photos Brenda Norrell)

TUCSON -- The Third Annual Rasquacho Art Show, a fundraiser for the video collective Pan Left Productions, was held at the Splinter Brothers and Sisters Warehouse on Saturday night. A video was shown of the work of the Indigenous Alliance Without Borders, revealing how U.S. borders dissected Indigenous communities and resulted in border agents now harassing and abusing Indigenous Peoples in their homelands. Artwork on display included the work of Pancho Medina, Gail Contreras, Tanya Alvarez, Valarie James, Raquel Mogollon, and Barbara Tesso.

Article at Tucson Weekly:
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/CityWeek/Content?oid=97777

Pan Left Productions:
http://www.panleft.org/

Zapatistas gather in Oventik, Morelia and La Realidad in July

(Marcos and Comandantes in Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico, south of the Arizona border in 2007. Below: Marcos in Sonora. Photos Brenda Norrell)

Narco News

http://www.narconews.com/

II Encounter of the Zapatista Peoples with the Peoples of the World

II Encounter of the Zapatista Peoples with the Peoples of the World
Communiqué of the Indigenous Revolutionary Clandestine Committee—General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation
June of 2007

To the People of Mexico:To the Peoples of the World:To the Adherents of the Zexta Internazional:To the Adherents of the Sixth Declaration:
Compañeros and Compañeras:Brothers and Sisters:
As was announced at the First Encounter of Zapatista Peoples with the Peoples of the World (held in January of this year), the Second Encounter will be held in the coming month of July. The objective of this encounter is that persons, groups, collectives, and organizations that struggle against neoliberalism, in Mexico and all over the world, hear directly the word of the EZLN’s bases of support on the process of the construction of autonomy in the Zapatista indigenous communities of Chiapas. For this reason, the EZLN, through its Intergalactic and Sixth Commissions, convokes:
The Second Encounter of Zapatista Peoples with the Peoples of the World.
To be held in Zapatista territory July 20 through 28 of the year 2007, with the following characteristics:
First. Taking into account the difficulties that the rainy season provokes at this time in the state of Chiapas, the locations of the Encounter will not be the 5 caracoles (as was previously announced), but rather 3 caracoles (Oventik, Morelia, and La Realidad), following the schedule that we here detail:
Friday, July 20: Caracol of Oventik, Zona Altos [Highlands Zone] of Chiapas. Welcome and Inauguration.
Saturday, July 21: Caracol of Oventik, Zona Altos of Chiapas. Plenary roundtables with presentations by the Zapatista bases of support of the Autonomous Municipalities of the Altos of Chiapas, and sessions for questions, observations, and proposals by attendees.
Sunday July 22: Transfer to the Caracol of Morelia, Zona Tzotz Choj. Welcome.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, July 23, 24, and 25: Caracol of Morelia, Zona Tzotz Choj. Plenary roundtables with presentations by the Zapatista bases of support of the Autonomous Municipalities of the Tzotz Choj Zone (Caracol of Morelia), the Northern Zone of Chiapas (Caracol of Roberto Barrios), and the Selva [Jungle] Tzeltal Zone (Caracol of La Garrucha), and sessions for questions, observations, and proposals by attendees.
Thursday, July 26: Transfer to the Caracol of La Realidad, Zona Selva Fronteriza [Jungle/Border Zone]. Welcome.
Friday, July 27: Caracol of La Realidad, Zona Selva Fronteriza. Plenary roundtables with presentations by Zapatista bases of support of the Autonomous Municipalities of the Zona Selva Fronteriza, and sessions for questions, observations, and proposals by attendees.
Saturday, July 28: Caracol of La Realidad, Zona Selva Fronteriza. Final Plenary and Closing.
Sunday, July 29: Return.
Second. The themes of the plenary roundtables are:
Health: Presentation given by the Health Promoters of the Zapatista communities.
Education: Presentation given by the Education Promoters.
Organization of the Communities: Presentation given by the municipal commissioners and officials.
Collective Work: Presentation given by the local, regional, and municipal collectives and coordinators of each zone.
The Struggle of Women: Presentation given by the women of the bases of support on their forms of organization at different levels, as “the women that we are.”
Autonomy: Presentation given by the autonomous authorities on the struggles and problems faced in the areas of work, health, education, trade, civil registry, justice, projects, etc.
Good Government: Presentation given by members of the Good Government Councils on their function in the construction of autonomy.
Evaluation of the Process of the Construction of Autonomy: Presentation given by members of the political directive of the EZLN (CCRI) on advances and problems in the 13 years of existence of the Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities in Rebellion (MAREZ) and the 4 years of the Good Government Councils (JBG).
Third. The method of work in the plenary roundtables will be: Presentation of the theme, followed by a session of observations, questions, and answers.
Fourth. In this Second Encounter the EZLN will have as special invitees the compañeros and compañeras of the Landless Movement in Brazil, of the Campesino Movement of Korea, of the Campesino Movement of Madagascar, of the Campesino Movement of the United States, and of other compas of the “Via Campesina” organization in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Given this, there will be a special space for the participation of these compañer@s.
Fifth. Inscriptions and accreditations will begin by internet on July 2, 2007, at the following webpages:
www.zeztainternazional.org and enlacezapatista.ezln.org.mxEmail: encuentrojulio@ezln.org.mx
Accreditations will be distributed starting Monday, July 16, 2007, in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, at:
The office of Enlace Zapatista: Avenida Ignacio Allende 22-A, Barrio de San Antonio, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas.Telephone: (01) 967 6781013
Additionally, there will be a place for inscription and accreditation in each of the caracoles where the plenaries will be held.
Sixth. It is recommended that those attending bring the necessary items to spend the night. In the caracoles there will be affordable food stands, but attendees can also bring their own food.
We invite all honest, noble, and committed persons of Mexico and the World to attend.
From the mountains of the Mexican Southeast.Indigenous Revolutionary Clandestine Committee—General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.
Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos.Sixth Commission.
Teniente Coronel Insurgente Moisés.Intergalactic Commission.
Mexico, June of 2007.
(Thanks to El Kilombo intergalactico for the translation)

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US Social Forum: Native Americans speak out

RIGHTS-US: Native Americans and Immigrants Share Common Struggle

Article By Jonathan Springston
IPS News

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38388

(File photos by Brenda Norrell)

ATLANTA, Jul 1 (IPS) - One group has lived here for millennia, while the other has just arrived. But Native Americans and immigrants have much in common, particularly the alienation and oppression they experience in U.S. society, activists and community leaders said on day three of the U.S. Social Forum (USSF) Friday.The USSF, which concludes Sunday, has drawn about 10,000 civil society activists from around the United States to discuss their work on issues like gender, native and gay rights, immigration, and the anti-war movement.


"Indigenous rights are the foundation of human rights in this country and we have to come to terms with that," said Julie Fishel of the Western Shoshone Defence Project at a Plenary Session on "Indigenous Voices: From the Heart of Mother Earth." Fishel joined Native American and indigenous speakers who spoke of indigenous heritage, gradual encroachment on indigenous land, and the lasting ill effects of U.S. oppression of indigenous peoples.


"We have experienced many things that have been passed down through generations," said Patty Grant-Long of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. "Because of our spirit, our relationship with our creator, and our relationship with our ancestors, we are still here." Grant-Long was born to parents brought up in Native American boarding schools where they were forced to give up their identities.

"It is an amazing testament to resilience that indigenous people are still here," noted Ikaiki Hussey of the Aloha Anina Society based in Hawaii. "That says a lot about strength and the ability to withstand in the face of all those struggles." Hussey spoke of the militarisation of Hawaii, which has lasted for so long and become so prevalent that many visitors do not even recognise it as a problem. The Aloha Anina Society is leading a charge to demilitarise Hawaii "because it helps the people of Hawaii and because it is part of taking apart the U.S. empire," Hussey said.

Faith Gemmill of the REDOIL Network in Alaska said 95 percent of indigenous land there is open for oil and gas mining. "It is my hope that in my lifetime I will see our land returned to its rightful owners," Gemmill said. "People must change the way they are living. We must give Mother Earth time to repair and heal itself."

"Our Mother Earth is not for sale," Enei Begaye of the Black Mesa Water Coalition told the audience. Begaye's organisation is a collective of Navajo and Hopi Native Americans that fight to keep corporations from destroying their land to extract natural resources and from polluting the water. "There is a path toward peace," she said. "It will take all of us... stand[ing] together." Native American perspectives were also shared in several of 900 workshops offered throughout the USSF.

"Ninety-eight percent of indigenous people died during the East to West movement," said Carrie Dann, a Western Shoshone Native American. "Why doesn't America want to talk about it?" Dann spoke at a workshop called, "Where Have All the Indians Gone?", where attendees learned more about the plight of Native Americans as pioneers moved west during the 19th Century. The Western Shoshone still own land in Nevada where there have been 1,000 nuclear bomb tests and where companies conduct dangerous and destructive strip mining for gold. "They are destroying the land while exploiting it for money," Dann said.

"The Earth should be taken care of and it isn't happening." "So little attention is paid to indigenous peoples," agreed Ward Churchill, whose family is Cherokee. It is important people have their attention drawn to the destructive practices that are destroying the Western Shoshone land, Churchill said.

"We take a lot of people to the United Nations because rallying indigenous people internationally is important," Alberto Saldamando, General Counsel for the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), told attendees at a workshop about international efforts to mobilise indigenous peoples. The workshop was called, "Holding the U.S. accountable for discrimination against Native Americans."

The IITC works on all levels to build grassroots participation from indigenous peoples in order that they might address their concerns and work together to achieve their goals. "We're all oppressed, just in different ways," Shauna Larson of the Indigenous Environmental Network said. "It takes everybody working together to achieve our goals." The IITC is interested in working with groups who focus on environmental justice and women's rights because those issues overlap, Salamando said.

During "Defending Immigrant Rights," a workshop conducted in Spanish and English, presenters discussed the history of immigration in the United States, positive and negative immigration legislation, and activists' efforts in Florida to mobilise Spanish-speaking immigrants. One presenter spoke of a five-part, three-year plan to move from defensive to offensive organising strategies focusing on local and state levels. Hispanics should work with African-Americans because of their history of struggle and oppression, she added.

"There is one objective: to respect all human beings as human beings," said Herman Martinez of the American Friends Service Committee. "The only way to forge lasting alliances is to understand each other," said Gerald Lenoir of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration during the Immigrant Rights Plenary Session Friday. "African-Americans can no longer look at civil rights as a black and white issue."

"We are the testing ground for all the repressive issues you all face at home," said Alexis Mazon of the Coalicion de Derechos Humanos. It is crucial for trade unions to include immigrants in the fold of organised labor and that both groups should work together to achieve their rights, said Ed Ott of the New York Central Labour Council.

"We have shown the power of people in the streets," Ruben Solis of the Southwest Workers Union said. "We want a world where everybody can fit." "We are making history because we are making a new world," noted Glory Kilanko of Women Watch Afrika. "We want to build a network that challenges the oppressors." "If we begin to allow the oppressors to build walls, then we are allowing them to win," Kilanko said.

Photo 1: Julie Fishel, third from left, with friends on Mount Tenabo. Photo Brenda Norrell
Photo 2: (L) Enei Begaye, Navajo, with Caleen Sisk-Franco, Winnemem Wintu from Northern California at the Cocopah Climate Conference. Photo Brenda Norrell