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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2006)
JULY 15,2006 Smoke Signals 5 Looking Wolf's Star Shines At The 2006 Native Music Awards In Florida Jan Michael Reibach has become a celebrity in the Native music scene. By Toby McClary Though Tribal member Jan Mi chael Reibach has become a national recording artist, he tries to remain grounded through family and em ployment with the Tribe. Reibach was recently nominated for Best Native Flutist for the third consecutive year by the Indian Sum mer Music Awards (ISMA). He was also nominated earlier this year for Best Short or Long Form Video by the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS). Reibach was outvoted by Medicine Dream. 'This was an amazing experience," said Reibach. "I was actually part of it this year." Not only was Reibach nominated in a category, but he was also a present er for Best Rap Album at the 2006 NAMMYS. And after the ceremony, Reibach performed at the VIP party held at the Paradise Theatre. Along with Blue Dog, a bluesrock band that was also nominated for a NAMMY, Reibach performed songs from his 2004 album "Native Blues" for the 200 people in attendance. "It was a great honor to play for the VIP party," said Reibach. The NAMMYS were held on Thurs day, June 8 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The event featured over 25 Awards presentations, 12 live music performances and a special Hall s I l WF Jammin' Tribal member Jan Michael Reibach (I) spent five hours with music producer George Noriega on Friday, June 9. Reibach was in Hollywood, Florida for the 2006 Native American Music Awards In which he was a nominee as well as a presenter. of Fame Induction of the late Link Ray. According to the NAMMYS website, the Native American Music Awards, Inc. is the country's leading membership-based association composed of music industry professionals, musicians, programmers, producers, engineers and other professionals dedicated to promoting and preserv ing Native American music through out the United States and around the world. Estab lished in 1998, The Native American Music Awards, which helped es tablish a Native music category in the Grammys in 2000, has been acclaimed for hav ing "all the pro fessionalism and production values of much larger events like the Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards" (American Fed- eration of Radio Television Artists). The Awards has received wide critical praise from both national and international media. While on his journey to Florida, socializing with all of the well known Indian artists, Reibach was approached by music producer and songwriter George Noriega. Noriega has produced many platinum al bums with artists such as Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. Reibach explained that after a missed flight on Friday, June 9 he received a phone call from Noriega asking him to come to the studio and do some recording. "George and I really hit it off," said Reibach. "I would consider him a friend." Reibach spent five hours in the recording studio that day jamming with Noriega and discussing upcom ing projects. "George wants to mix some of my traditional flute music with some thing a little more contemporary," said Reibach. "He wants to produce me through a major label and wants to produce a Native album." Though Reibach's life seems to lead him here or there and seems too fast-paced to remember what is important, he recalls what he holds closest to his heart. "I still miss home when I am gone," said Reibach. "My family and my Tribe are my roots. Happiness comes from those two things, brother." Tribal Members Participate In Traditional Canoe Journey "This is our way of representing Grand Ronde." By Toby McClary For hundreds of years, North west Tribes have paddled the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound. For many Tribes, this was their means of transportation from Tribe to Tribe for ceremony, trade and celebra tion. This tradition is being kept alive by the many Tribes that participate in the Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey which takes place annually. For Grand Ronde's Canoe Family, who is preparing for their second year, it is a way to share their culture, songs and dances and a way to strengthen the unity among Tribes. Last July, Grand Ronde's Canoe Family joined the 2005 Canoe Journey, "The Paddle to Elwha," in Squaxin Island and paddled over 200 miles over the course of 12 days. Last year was Grand Ronde's first year of participation but it left quite an impression. Grand Ronde was already planning their 2006 journey before they arrived home. "It had a big impact last year. We wanted to bring more of our commu nity and share with them the experi ence," said Tribal member and Canoe Family member Bobby Mercier. This year, Grand Ronde will begin their journey at Neah Bay, Washington's most northwestern point, and finish at Magnuson Park on Lake Washington with a procession of more than 70 canoes. This will be another 200 plus mile journey for Grand Ronde. For the first time, the Muckleshoot Tribe will host the congregation of Tribal canoes as PHfUKf '.in- ;.. ( . (If -3 t , Show Boat Members of the Grand Ronde Canoe Family along with Master Boat Builder John McCallum from Veneta, Oregon have been working on the construction of Grand Ronde's own canoe for about six months. The canoe will be introduced to the community today, July 1 5 at the Tribal gym. n z - U k j If Life Line Alcohol and Drug Counselor Haa-nah Mike takes advantage of an Indian Taco fundraiser put on by the Canoe Family last month. The Canoe Family has raised over $6,000 for supplies needed for the journey. well as a canoe from Hawaii and possibly one from New Zealand. The Muckleshoot Tribe has been an active participant in the canoe journey since its inception. The Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey, also known as the Healing and Unity Journey, was originated by Quinault Tribal member Emmett Oliver in 1989 when he organized the "Paddle to Seattle" to commem orate Washington State's 100th birthday. This tradition has been carried on annually since then. The journey is used to promote abstinence from drugs and alcohol and also helps Native American individuals find their identity. Grand Ronde's Canoe Family has been holding numerous fundraisers throughout the year including bake sales, raffles and Indian Taco feeds for this year's trip. They have also met once a week for the last year to plan, strategize and organize the event. They will put in on Monday, July 24, and land at Lake Washing ton on Monday, July 31 where they will then celebrate for another five days until Saturday, August 5. The Canoe Family has also been working on the construction of their own canoe which will be introduced to the community on Saturday, July 15. The family has contributed their time and efforts in building and carving the 33'x 5' vessel. "The construction of the canoe marks the return of a significant part of Grand Ronde's history and culture back to our community," said Tribal member and Canoe Family member Travis Mercier. "This is our way of represent ing Grand Ronde," said Bobby Mercier. Grand Ronde's Canoe Family consists of over 50 Tribal members who have helped plan the event and helped carve the paddles that pull the canoes. The family has raised over $6,000 including a $5,000 donation courtesy of Spirit Mountain Casino. The money will go towards food and other supplies needed for the 12-day journey. B
