Let me throw my dog into the fight. First, here's a joke: How can you tell a native musician has made it in the music industry? All his backups are white musicians. lol. About 10 years ago I heard a radio interview of well known and respected old timer in the music industry in Canada who was asked, what is the next big music trend in North America? His answer was: Native American music. We've seen the trends go from rock to hip hop, for example, and now people are looking for something new. We are beginning to see a Native American music trend emerging today in the Americas and in parts of Europe. But along with that we are seeing many non-native musicians jumping on the band wagon, so-to-speak, claiming to be Indians (and mainly Cherokee) and exploiting the growing fascination with our Indigenous music.
The Native American music that's getting the most attention in the music Industry is the type that blends traditional Native American instruments and melody with contemporary music like rock and hip hop. The artist or band that does this best and sells the most CDs gets the music awards. That's how the music industry works. But so far, I have not heard any Native American hybrid music that does anything for me ...I'm waiting.
I saw John Two Hawks’ on the You tube that Blackwolf posted. I was impressed by his talent and performance. I think this was due in part to the really great world stage calibre musicians he had backing him up. He did well in blending traditional Native American melody with rock. Still, his music sounds mainstream new age, you know, noble savage-like. Further, I was disappointed and a bit offended that here was a guy who is clearly non-native passing himself off as a native musician garb and all.
However, I saw the video of Arvil Bird that BlackWolf presented in his post. I think he is who he says he is – a mixed blood. Don’t ask me why I just sense that he is. Métis is a French word and in Canada Métis people go by different names, including Mixed Blood, Half Breed, and Country Born. These terms are used interchangeably. In general, Métis can also mean someone born or descended from the union of a European and an Amerindian. There are many Métis in Canada who are not signed up as members of a Métis organization. I agree, it is very difficult to tell or determine who is Métis or Indian nowadays, as some (registered and unregistered alike) look totally white for all intents and purposes.
Seems to me the confusion about who should produce and perform Native American music is further exasperated by the so-called Native American or Aboriginal music awards in North America, while they themselves are at best cheap glitz and glam imitations of the Grammies or the Juno Awards. People are given awards for emulating best country, rock, and hip hop, all genres that are not originally Native American. Pow wow and possibly round dance are exceptions, but they’re relegated to lesser important categories. This is classic colonized behaviour.
Despite all the fake Native musicians and native awards in the music industry, there are real Native American musicians making their way onto the music scene. These musicians are sincere, creative, experienced and well versed in traditional Native American and contemporary music alike, and they are producing music that's true to the Spirit of life and true to themselves as Indigenous Americans. But right now they’re still doing their thing in pow wows and round dances, and in basements and garages.
