Senior Honors Project 20254

Indigenous Rhythms: Natives’ Impact On the Music Industry Throughout the years

Asia Gabaldon
Ohkay Owingeh/ Zuni Pueblo

Chapter 1: Identity

“Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community"

Armstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.

“And I went to school” memories of a pueblo childhood”

Suina, Joseph “And I went to school” memories of a pueblo childhood,”. New Mexico Journal of Reading, Winter 1985, Vol. V, No.2.

“How place names impact the way we see landscape.”

Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News: Know the West, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact- the-way-we-see-landscape.

Chapter 2: History

“The Kickass Native American Rock Bands Music History Forgot; It was a Shawnee who introduced the power chord to rock and roll. But American Indians’ massive influence on rock and pop history has largely been buried- until now”

In the article “The Kickass Native American Rock Bands Music History Forgot; It was a Shawnee who introduced the power chord to rock and roll. But American Indians’ massive influence on rock and pop history has largely been buried- until now” published by The Daily Beast Company LLC. The article gives a rundown of the film “Rumble,” directed by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana, and what it talks about. It talks about some of the challenges Native Musicians faced "American Indians pose a challenge to what we typically see as rock history, which has been very black and white," says John Troutman” and the unwanting of your ethnicity "That's when my brain exploded," says Salas, "because Native American people don't have any role models. Nobody wanted to be Native American. We would keep it to ourselves, something we didn't talk about. Native Americans were doing these things back then, but no one saw them." The film “Rumble says, "It's difficult to say there is this Indian sound. It's important to consider individual contributions. Let's realize there is this other element here that is operating, that they are experiencing their lives in other capacities, but also totally involved in popular culture."

“Jazz Fest Honors Indianapolis Native Wes Montgomery”

The article “Jazz Fest Honors Indianapolis Native Wes Montgomery” discusses Wes Montgomery's impact on the music industry and briefly what music meant to him. "Wes' music and innovations are a rite of passage for any jazz musician and along with his talented family and the community of Indiana Avenue musicians, their music brought forth a revolutionary sound that is emulated and celebrated worldwide to this day." This part of the article discusses Wes and his community's impact on music.

‘Rumble’ Celebrates Rock ‘N’ Roll’s Native American Roots

The podcast was an interview of Stevie Salas interviewed by LuLu Garcia-Navarro, and she asked him questions about the film “Rumble”. They talked about what started the film and the process of making the film. The interviewer also brings up singer-songwriter Jimi Hendrix “So that's really interesting that you're talking about Jimi Hendrix because, of course, most people think of him, and they think of him as African-American - that was a core part of his identity. And something that's so fascinating about this documentary, in particular, is how you detail the combined history of African-American music and Native American music and why they feed into and out of each other, which is incredible.” Sala continues to talk about some of the challenges Native Americans faced in their time in the music industry. Sala then ends with something I find interesting and beautiful “But I kept saying, no, we're making a film about heroes. We're making a film about people who did incredible things against incredible odds. And it should inspire people. I didn't want to say, you know, we got screwed again. You stole our land. You stole our music. I didn't want that. Neither did a lot of my Native American friends who are working towards really feeling great and doing greater things in life.”

“Indian of North America: Conflict and Survival”

The article “Indians of North America: Conflict and Survival” by Frank W. Poster III was about the history of American Indians and how the arrival of the Europeans affected their way of life. “The collection identity felt by Indians today is a result of their common experiences of defeat and/or mistreatment at the hands of whites” This article is written from a non-native point of view but the author expresses an understanding and appreciation of Native American culture” All Americans must learn the history of the relations between the Indians, and federal government, recognize the unique legal status of the Indian, and understand the heritage and culture of the Indians of North America.”

Chapter 3: Current State

The second page of the magazine “Contemporary Culture: Equity and Access in the Arts for Native American Communities” brings up the issue that Native American Musicians have, which isn’t being recognized in the Music Industry. It also talks about how Natives celebrate Native art and culture with different events. Natives continue to “Share now they are moving their culture and their people forward through their creativity.”

Gabaldon, Asia. Baby Deer. February 18, 2024

The article “Rumble On: More Native American Musicians You Should Know” gives a little rundown of the movie “Rumble” and how a movie brings light to Native Musicians like Charley Patton, Mildred Baileyn, Jimi Hendrix, Robbie Robertson, and a member of Redbone. The article talks about the issue Native American Musicians go through, which is not being recognized in the Music Industry. The article also talks about the different ways Native Musicians show and share their culture and tradition through their art.

Gabaldon, Asia. Cloud Dance. January 30, 2024

Chapter 4: Global Connection

Weston, Andrew. “4 Biggest K-Pop Entertainment Companies.” Andrew Weston -, 1 Feb. 2023,

The article “The Global K-pop Impact” by Middlebury Language School. They interviewed Sahie Kang, the director of the Korean school at Middlebury Language schools. They wanted to learn more about the impact of K-pop on language learning and cultural exchange. The interview concludes that K-pop has had a profound global impact, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers to create a new cultural exchange. They ended the interview by saying, “By living in the language, students can grasp Korean comprehensively, contextualistically, and effectively.”

“National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.”

The article “Universal Music India and REPRESENT announce strategic partnership,” published by Athena Information Solution Rit, Ltd., talks about the effects of the partnership between the world leader in music-based entertainment and REPRESENT. “The partnership between UMG and REPRESENT symbolizes another major milestone for the growth of Indian artists. They will be able to resonate with millions of music fans worldwide…. Together, we will push the boundaries of innovation and help foster a thriving ecosystem for artists in India.”

The article “The Proanation of Opera: Music and Drama on Film” published by SyndiGate Media Inc. talks about how Opera is a theatrical art form that combines a musical scene with a dramatic text, or libretto. They also explain how in film, PROPERA combines music and drama to create a cinematic experience

“The Final Curtain Call: A Look Back at The Phantom of the Opera.” Broadway Inbound, 7 February 2023,

Personal Connection

Gabaldon Asia. Personal Photo. December 18, 2024.

My connection with my topic is that I was raised around music. My family has a dance group called The Tewa Dancers of the North that my grandpa created. So singing and dancing are the core of my family. My uncles and cousins also play many instruments and are in bands. I'm also an upcoming musician. I have written a few songs, and I'm learning how to play the bass guitar.

Action Plan #1

Action Plan #2

For my action plan, I visited my Pueblo’s community school. I presented a little slide show introducing them to a few Native musicians.

I didn't want them to get bored, so I brought them a snack and a coloring page. I also showed them music and performances of the musicians I mentioned in my presentation.

Citations:

Armstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The OkArmstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.

"Jazz Fest honors Indianapolis Native Wes Montgomery." JAZZed, vol. 11, no. 4, Aug.-Sept. 2016, p. 8. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/ap

Kelly, Lawrence C. Federal Indian Policy. Chelsea House, 1990.

McVicar, Gregg, and Sherman Alexie. “Native American Musicians You Should Know | Blog | Independent Lens.” PBS, 4 January 2019, https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/rumble-on-more-native-american-musicians-you-should-know/. Accessed 19 September 2024.

"'Rumble' Celebrates Rock 'N' Roll's Native American Roots." Weekend Edition Sunday, 6 Aug. 2017.

Gale In Context: Middle School, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A500110948/MSIC?u=nm_s_santafeis&sid=ebsco&xid=95906c68. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Suina, Joseph “And I went to school” memories of a pueblo childhood,”. New Mexico Journal of Reading, Winter 1985, Vol. V, No.2.

Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News: Know the West, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact- the-way-we-see-landscape.

"The Kickass Native American Rock Bands Music History Forgot; It was a Shawnee who introduced the power chord to rock and roll. But American Indians' massive influence on rock and pop history has largely been buried - until now." Daily Beast, 16 July 2017. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A498605604/ITOF?u=nm_s_santafeis&sid=ebsco&xid=979d010a. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

anagen Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.