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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2011)
6 SEPTEMBER 15,2011 Smoke Signals Kenneth Lewis on TV, cutting another CD, going to college By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer For an upcoming episode of the new NBC homicide detective series "Grimm," Tribal member Kenneth Sequoia Lewis, 21, will be hand cuffed to a chair. In the scene's background, he will be talking to a police officer. He is an extra in this Portland-based series about a detective. The series starts Friday, Oct. 21, at 9 p.m. "I have dreadlocks," Lewis said. "They thought I looked like a police suspect." The fame of the small screen, however, played an otherwise small part in his sum mer this year. Sol Seed, the four-man, Eugene based "psychedelic reggae rock band" for which Lewis plays guitar, has been wowing clubs up and down the Oregon coast and as far south as northern California. The group also spent the summer working on the band's second compact disc, "Rising Roots," which was set to be released Sept. 10 at the Caldera Tap House in Ashland. Sol Seed plays about half origi nal songs and half covers, Lewis said, including work first recorded by Bob Marley and Toots and the Maytals. "But we also like to mix it up," he said. "We do a cover of 'Little Wing' by Jimi Hendrix and The Joker' by the Steve Miller Band." There will be a number of CD launch parties, Lewis said, but "once we fully release it, it will be available on I-Tunes." The group also sells merchandise at their shows, including T shirts and CDs. The group is working hard everywhere they go to build a fan base. Lewis also has played guitar with Tribal member and Native American Music Award winner Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach. "I've done a lot of work at the Tribe, playing music, during Res toration celebrations and at private shows at the Tribal gym," Lewis said. "He's played a lot with me," said Reibach. "Kenny won the Native American Music Award Record of the Year with me last year for 'Breakin Free.' "He's performed with my band at Native American casinos. One of the highlight performances for Kenny was in 2008 when we played Family Movie Night returns Sept. 30 Family Movie Night, sponsored by the Tribe's Youth Prevention Program and the Community Awareness Team, returns on Friday, Sept. 30, with a showing of 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon" in the Tribal gym. A Nacho Bar meal will be served at 5:20 p.m. with juices and water to drink. There also will be snacks and door prizes. The movie starts at 5:35 p.m. B Flu Vaccine Clinics slated for October The Tribe's Medical Clinic will offer Flu Vaccine Clinics every Thursday in October. Hours will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. People seeking vaccinations should check in at the registration desk and complete and sign the flu vaccine questionnaire. There is no co-pay for the shot. For more information, call the clinic at 503-879-2002. B about iSPO&il 'Tt s j.N V O' ' J Would learn more becoming a'foster: parent or respite care provider and -f v I maKing a - difference in the "life of a child? . , w , If so please contact Amanda Merrier, ' ' ICW Foster Care Recruitment Specialist, i; v , at 503-879-2039 1-800-242-8196 or e-mail , amanda.merciergrandronde.org for more information Follow us on ICW Foster Care Program Grand Ronde 5 Courtesy photos Tribal member Kenneth Sequoia Lewis performs with his band Sol Seed. They are a psychedelic reggae rock band. the 25th Restoration celebration at the casino, opening for Rita Coolidge." Lewis played on three of Reibach's albums and also played guitar on "We Are Grand Ronde," the song Reibach donated to the Tribe ear lier this year. "I've been working with Kenny since January, February, 2008 when (Tribal member) Ann Lewis (Kenny's mom) moved up here. I met Kenny and recognized right away that he had an amazing gift with that guitar, so we brought him in right away. "He's played in acoustic trio groups with me, performed at the World Beat Festival in Salem with me and performed at amphitheater there. He's played big stages. "We watched him grow and he's evolved into a stand-alone guitar player and an incredible musician. "Sol Seed is incredible, top notch for sure. He's kind of outgrown me, but that's OK. I still love him. Whenever I call him for a project, he's always there for me." "Jan Michael has been a big influ ence on me," Lewis said. Lewis also credits martial arts training for his success with the guitar. His family operated a dojo in Eagle Point for a few years in 2005 06, but Lewis studied martial arts for nine years. During that time, he earned a second degree black belt in American open style karate and "did the tournament circuit for a year." He won two world titles, he said, in traditional kata and traditional weapons (a bow staff). During that time, he competed in 20 tournaments, against hundreds and hundreds of fighters to get to the world champion ship in Hollywood in 2003. "As far as discipline, especial ly with guitar playing," he said, "I know (from the martial arts) that there's going to be a learning curve." He also said that his hands are stronger as a result and his memory improved from having to learn martial arts forms. No doubt his college career will benefit as well. Lewis is a full-time sophomore at Lane Community College, lean ing toward declaring for a political science degree. College life left all summer free for Lewis to perform. Between weekend gigs, he used the work week to practice his music and ride his skateboard. "Rising Roots" may not be directly related to Indian culture, he said, but "the message is very compat ible. We're dealing with oneness, cultural and spiritual relativism; being able to live together." He's also taken advantage of the Lane Community College long house, he said. "I love that place, it's awesome." B SOOK FOR SALE. 'The Kalapuyans:A sourcebook on the Indians of the Willamette Valley by Harold Mickey, Ph.P. This book, through collabora tion between the Cultural Re sources Department, Mission Mill Museum, and the Mackey Family, has been re-release4 in a second edition with a new cover, an updated bibliography with more current and accurate sources, new photographs, and a new afterward explaining the Grand Ronde Tribal perspective. 'Mill - to A. Name: . Address:. City:. State:. Zip: Checks only. . of books x $15.95 each .total. J13.00 per book Boob may be purchased from the Tribe's Cultural Resources Department located on the second floor of Tribal Building H CAdult Education Build ing) for$13.00 each. To have an order mailed to you, please fill out this form and include an additional J3.00 for shipping cost per book. Mail this form to: CTGR Cultural Resources I The Kalapuans . 961S Grand Ronde Road I Grand Ronde, OR 97347 I o Ad created by George Valdez
