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ON THE COVER
Walela
Cherokee hummingbirds Rita Coolidge (left), Laura Satterfield and Priscilla Coolidge (right) form the trio Walela, one of the finest sets of voices in music today. Photo by Jill Jarrett.

FEATURES

Special Section: Music

Walela: Cherokee Sisters Sing Their Way to Stardom
The trio Walela—Rita Coolidge, her sister Priscilla and Priscilla’s daughter Laura Satterfield—headline a stellar group of Native musicians now making their presence felt in the broader music realm. By j. poet. Photos by Jill Jarrett.

Litefoot: Talking with the Man
We sit down with Native rapper Litefoot and dig down to some essential truths that carry this high-energy musician, producer, actor and speaker through his busy life and days. By Patty Talahongva (Hopi). Photos by Shay Meir Peretz.

Robert Mirabal: Taos Born, Citizen of the World
Musician, composer, songwriter and performer Robert Mirabal has burst out of Taos Pueblo with an infectious enthusiasm and powerful musical message he is now carrying to the world stage. By Deborah Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen).

10 Rising Stars
Open your ears to the compelling music of 10 of Native America’s brightest new faces and bands performing a wide range of contemporary music: Martha Redbone, Pamyua, Derek Miller, Casper Lomayesva, Native Roots, Lucie Idlout, Tracy Lee Nelson, George Leach, Star Nayea and Jim Boyd. By a select group of Native and non-Native music writers.

Native Music Labels
We present an overview of the major labels producing Native music today, with contact details and notes on recent and upcoming releases. By Daniel Gibson.

Eiteljorg Indian Market: Heartland America’s Native Treasure
The Eiteljorg Museum of Indianapolis annually organizes and presents one of the finest Native arts festivals in North America. Join us for a preview of their 11th annual gathering in June. By Peggy Sailors.

Boyiddle’s Many Colors: Keeping Tradition Alive One Bead at a Time
Kiowa artist Mitchell Boyiddle racks up a series of major awards for his stunning bead creations, including work honoring his involvement in the Native American Church. By Julianna E. Thibodeaux.

Media Masters Reach the Top of Their Class
Of the many who begin, only a handful of artists ever receive the distinction of being judged the best of their media in a major art show, as these seven artists have: Nanaba Aragon (Navajo), Ernest Benally (Navajo), Stonehorse Lone Goeman (Seneca/Ojibwe), Aaron Honanie (Hopi), Matt Learned Cheyenne/Arapaho), Antone LeBeau (Sioux) and Jane Osti (Cherokee). By Julianna E. Thibodeaux.

DEPARTMENTS

Letters
Readers chime in on our recent cover story on Choctaw astronaut John Herrington, suggest another place to visit when in Oklahoma, ask us about foreign subscribers, and correct a small mistake.

Viewpoint
The recent series of articles by Time magazine slamming Native gaming still has people talking, as seen here in a refutation of some of the many erroneous conclusions the magazine drew. By Gene Keluche (Wintun).

On The Wind
A new sculpture garden in Santa Fe at MIAC; musician Marcos Marez fuses Hispanic and Native traditions; Arctic peoples begin the feel the wrath of global warming. Plus, other important news from the arts, environment, education, politics, health, sports and other realms of life in Indian Country. By Daniel Gibson.

Happening
Join us for a look at an outstanding young festival in the spectacular Mesa Verde area of southwestern Colorado, and a peek at the Santa Monica Indian Art Show in California. Plus, details on other special events of Native interest. By Daniel Gibson.

Spirit of the Harvest
Earl Ahern (Cherokee) makes a fine living carefully harvesting wild edibles for gourmet diners, and presents three of his delectable all-natural salads. By Beverly Cox and Martin Jacobs.

Galleries
We journey to Rapid City, South Dakota and the sprawling home of Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries for an immersion in the arts and crafts of the Northern Plains. Also, brief looks at other exhibitions at leading Native arts–oriented galleries throughout the continent. By Russ Tall Chief (Osage).

Museums
The consistently fine Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe mounts an interesting exhibition that explores the often-close relationships that develop between Native art collectors and artists. Also, previews of other shows at major museums coast to coast. By Wendy Weston (Navajo).

Music
A talented Native musician describes the complex and fascinating process of producing the sound score for the upcoming Hallmark Entertainment epic DreamKeepers. By Brent Michael Davids (Mohican).

Film/Video
Hallmark Entertainment and ABC air an ambitious new made-for-TV epic, DreamKeepers, involving more than 500 Native Americans both in front of and behind the camera. By Natalie Noel (Choctaw/Nansemond).

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