North American Indigenous Songbook
- Shawn Marie Jeffery
- Mar 15, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: May 16
Curated by: Timothy Long
Premiere
National Sawdust, November 2024
Duration: Flexible program. One to two hours, with or without intermission
Mission Statement
As a child in Oklahoma, Beethoven’s music became my guide, and I eventually saw how my Native American culture and Western European culture were fusing to birth something new. This became the North American Indigenous Songbook. The Songbook compositions exhibit the great diversity and talent of Native American, First Nations, and Métis people.
In North America (Turtle Island), there are over 1,000 recognized tribes, nations, and governments still in existence. The North American Indigenous Songbook concert represents a multitude of these tribes and our first series of composers encompass 10 tribal nations with accolades that include the Pulitzer Prize, a MacArthur “genius” grant, and multiple Grammy nominations.
At the 250th anniversary of the United States, we celebrate the entire continent of Turtle Island by bringing hope and unity to the world through words, music, and celebration.
–Timothy Long, NAIS creator (Muscogee/Thlopthlocco/Choctaw)
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