Thundering Spirit Family Pow Wow Performers, Entertainers, Demonstrators

Thundering Spirit Family

~Performers Page~

We would like to Thank the following Performers scheduled to be at the 2013 Pow Wow:

Native American recording artist Shea practically grew up on stage. Touring since the tender age of twelve Shea has been priveleged to have been able to travel the world with Grammy winner Micki Free, opening up for such artists as Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Crosby Stills and Nash, John Meyer, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow and many more.... In 2009 Shea was honored when asked by Mitchell Cypress, Chairman of The Seminole Tribe of Florida, to rerecord the Hit single "Seminole Wind" made famous by John Anderson. The song/ video was nominated for a Native American Music Award, Tulalip Film Festival Award, Indigenous People's Choice Music Award and American Film Festival Award. She is also the first Native American artist to sign a distribution deal with Hard Rock International and have her single sold in every Hard Rock world wide!!

Native American Indian Folk Artist, Mark Barfoot, is the son of Onondaga & Cherokee parents. Mark performs with flute and gives talks about Native American Drum and its importance in American Indian Culture. He has been making hand, powwow and sweat lodge drums for over 42 years. His drums are build in the traditional way and are made GREEN. NO tree is cut for the purpose of making a drum. Mark conducts hand drum workshops, while teaching the process of building a Native American Indian Drum, he shares his deep knowledge of Indian History & life ways. He is also an accomplished flute maker, handmade jewelry artist, and does antler sculptures. Mark’s work has been sold in the Smithsonian Museum for American Indian Gift Shops and in many private collections across the country, including those of Bill Miller, Rita Coolidge, Shea, Mickey Free, and countless others. wolfcreekart.com

Tlaltlacayolotl means earth, heart, man. We are descendents of the Aztec Tribe, from the center of Mexico where the Aztecs constructed their empire called Teotihucan. It has been more than 500 years since first european contact. We are a culture that have studied nature and the cosmos for centuries. Our dances reflect the cosmic universe and all that exists within mother earth. Our group is a family of four: father, mother, son, and daughter. Our dances and our culture have been passed down and learned through the generations. Our work is that the cultures of all the indigenous peoples are always together. In that way, we learn more of other cultures and each know of their own beauty. The indigenous world and we wish to teach that still, in this 21st century, one can learn of our culture. We teach the culture of Mexica. We do presentations at festivals, schools, and various events. With pre-hispanic music, pre-hispanic dance and explanations we teach of our culture. The presentations can be from 30 minutes up to 2 hours.

James Black Wolf Hansen (Norwegian, Eastern Band Cherokee): Teller of Stories & Legend Keeper.

Anita Quicksilver Hansen (Cherokee, Irish, French, Scottish): Cultural Educator, Dancer, Artist

Grandma Coyote

Story Teller

Fran “Grandma Coyote” Chastain is a native of the Illinois Ozarks. She currently lives on the land in the Shawnee National Forest that was settled by her Great Great Great Grandfather, more than two hundred years ago. As a child she learned about the plants and animals from her Father and Grandmother and is now devoting her retiring years to teaching others about nature and the ways of Creator through her stories, medicines and art. She began her storytelling at an early age, entertaining her dog, her doll, her horse and a family full of cousins, until they would beg for mercy!

Today Grandma Coyote can be found telling stories at pow wows, gatherings, rendezvous, historical events, churches, schools, libraries, senior centers… just about anywhere one or two people will stop long enough to listen! Currently, she resides in Florida during the winter months and admits to being a "Snow Bird".

Without a written language, Indians relied heavily upon the caretaker of legends, or Legend Keeper, to learn what could be learned and passed on about life. Kashka La Rue is a Legend Keeper. He tells Alaskan legends preserved by his Heritage Foundation. He is an enrolled member of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida tribes of Alaska

As for something about me – well heres the basics….. Grumpy 30-something badger; Storyteller, historian, artist, and writer; currently working as Public Programs & Outreach Coordinator for an oral history program in Gainesville, Florida--my new homebase. I believe it is important to link the past, present, and future through stories that preserve cultural and historical heritage of all peoples – not just Native Americans. Stories make history live again in our minds. Only by understanding the successes and mistakes of the past can we hope to pave the way in the present for a better future. If we fail to make these connections in the minds and hearts of our children, then we have a world without roots easily blown away by the trails and selfish whims of today. In that light, my life's work centers around discovering ways in which I can connect today's children with their cultural past and present through oral histories. Some of the ways I get to do that are storytelling, collecting oral histories of elders, and helping teachers develop engaging social studies curriculum that goes beyond the rote facts of textbooks. Without the blessings and challenges of growing up in either my Cherokee or Irish heritage, it's taken me a long time to find my place. It began with my beloved grandparents telling me stories and continues as I reach out to other elders to listen, learn, and record their stories for this and future generations. I am grateful to be a part of what Tony and Myra do to provide a place for people to come together, get to know one another, and hopefully learn something new.

~O Si Yo~ My Name is Carol, and Crystal Woman is my Ceremonial Name. Crystals have long been used to bring, carry, and enhance sound. This is where my name comes from, and why it was given to me..

My People are the Cherokee. I am a member of the Pan American Indian Association, The American Me'tis Aboriginal Association,Church of the Me'tis Tribe,Inc. U.S./Canada, and the Amonsoquath Cherokee People of Missouri. I am a writer of songs and chants, many are prayers for All People who are walking on our Mother the Earth. We come for the four directions, we are four colors, Red, Yellow, Black, White, and we are Earth's Children.

Utah Farris ~ Flute Maker, Recording Artist, Performer, Instructor/Teacher ~

Member of the International Native American Flute Association and the Central Florida Flute Circle. I have always wanted to make music, but I can't sing or read music. After many years I discovered the Native American Style Flute. It is simple and anyone can learn to play this most beautiful and forgiving of all musical instruments. The Flute has been such a joy to me, I felt that I must pass along this gift of music to as many people as possible. I have worked with School Teachers, Scout Masters and Flute Music Teachers, and many others to help teach the music and crafting of the flute. In order to pass along this information I attend and perform at many Pow Wows and other events inFlorida. Check out my web site to view my work and my event schedule.

Meme'z Boyz is from Crossville,Tennessee. Most of the members are originally from Southern Echo Drum. Our drummers work hard to put our heart and soul into the drum. We are blessed with the family that sit on our drum. Names of members include: Bert Iron Turtle Cox, Shaun Hedgecoth, Bill Pry, Bert White Bull Cox 111, Casey Lightsey, and Adam Wallace. Women Back up singers include: Marijo Templeton, Tosha Back, Amy Ann, Vicki Garland, and Morgan Cox. The drummers are also dancers. We are thankful to all our friends,family and the Creator!

We are the Southern Pine Singers; we have over 12 members in our group. Our style of singing is the Pow Wow southern style and inter- tribal singing. We are proud full blooded Choctaws from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. We are about promoting our culture, language, traditions and beliefs. Our drum group also promotes the Native American Pow Wows. In this group we aim to teach our next seventh generation of Choctaws to be proud of their heritage, traditions, customs and language. Our group, Southern Pine, has hosted many Pow Wows in the Southeastern United States. We perform at local tribal festivals and events. In the past we have also worked a lot with Military Bases and Native American Museums..