A folk singer and songwriter, Burch is the daughter of a German father and a Navajo
mother. Raised in the traditional Navajo culture in New Mexico, her music is a contemporary expression of traditional Navajo ways and living. Many of Burch’s songs reflect her bi-cultural outlook on life—they are sung in Navajo and combined with Western guitar styles. She has recorded three albums with Canyon Records: Touch the Sweet Earth, The Blessing Ways (with A. Paul Ortega), and Colors of My Heart.
She also appears on Heartbeat 2, More Voices of First Nations Women (Smithsonian Folkways).
Cherokee National Youth Choir
The Cherokee National Youth Choir (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), was founded by Principal Chief Chad Smith. This choir, made up of young people in sixth through ninth grades from Cherokee communities in northeastern Oklahoma, performs traditional Cherokee songs and hymns in the Cherokee language. They have two albums to their credit, Voices of the Creator’s Children, featuring Rita Coolidge (Cherokee), and Building One Fire, featuring actor and composer Gil Silverbird. Wednesday and Saturday.
Conjunto Palla from Tarabuco
From Sucre, Bolivia, the Danzantes y Artesanos is comprised of two indigenous groups—the Tarabuco and the Jalq’as. Together, they will perform carnival dances such as the the Pujllay Tarabuco Dance. In the Quechua language, pujllay means “to play, share, and celebrate,” which is carried out in a festival. The festival is carried out to honor the spirit of deceased relatives in order to please them, to ask for a good harvest, the proliferation of animals, and good health for their families. The dance also expresses gratitude to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. They will also perform the Ayarichi and Palla dances, which are performed after the harvests to express gratitude to the saints and Pachamama. Tuesday through Sunday.
For the last 28 years, the Gospel Light Echoes have been singing southern gospel harmony within the Navajo reservation. Their music ministry features hymns both
in En Echoes—Cynthia Anderson, Louise Smiley, Sharon Jim, and Rev. Stanley W. Jim—have four recordings, and travel with glish and Navajo languages, reflecting their faith, hope, and strength in God. The Gospel Light their church choir to numerous gospel gatherings and camp meetings on the Navajo reservation, as well as neighboring Indian reservations.
Victoria Huggins (Lumbee)
From St. Pauls, North Carolina, ten-year old Higgins expresses her love of music and Jesus through her singing ministry. Having performed with some of southern gospel music's top singers—including country rock group Alabama at their Alabama Theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—her ministry appeals to the young and young at heart.
Annie Humphrey (Ojibwe)
Folk singer and songwriter Humphrey hails from northern Minnesota, where at an early
age she was inspired by her parents to play the guitar and piano and compose songs. Humphrey’s work addresses her life experiences and causes. She works at local prisons and teaches the traditional skills to reservation youth. Humphrey is also dedicated to preserving the land and protecting wildlife and natural medicines. She has recorded
several albums including The Heron Smiled, and her most recent release, Edge of America (Makoché). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Kevin Locke Trio: The Spirit of Music and Dance
Kevin Locke, Tokeya Inajin, (his Lakota name, meaning "The First to Arise"), is a renowned Hoop Dancer, Northern Plains-style flute player, traditional storyteller, recording artist, and educator. From his relatives and elders Locke received knowledge in the values, traditions, and language of his Hunkpapa Lakota/Anishinabe heritage. He is a National Heritage Fellow “Master Traditional Artist,” and is lauded for his dedication to ensuring the survival and growth of indigenous cultures. Locke is joined by dancers Sedrick Baker and Edmond Navaquaya. His many album titles include Midnight Strongheart, Keeper of the Dream, and a current release, Lakota Love Songs.
Six Nations Women Singers (Six Nations Reserve)
Sadie Buck, Betsy Lou Buck, Jaynane Burning, Mary Monture, Janice Martin, Verna Bomberry, Emma Harris, Patricia Hess, Deanna Sky, and Evelyn Bomberry make their home on the Six Nations reserve in Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Mostly Seneca, Onondaga, and Cayuga, these women have participated together in the traditions of Iroquois longhouse religious and social music and dance for thirty-five years. Their songs are accompanied by a cow horn rattle and a small water drum. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
