Doc 'Zach Battiest' , a performance artist and talented music producer, runs his own sound studio in Hollywood, Florida. As a child, Doc traveled with his family’s gospel tour all over the country developing his ear for music and his eye for dramatic stylings. He spent his early teens honing those skills before taking time off from the stage. He returned to his musical roots at age 16, when he began arranging, writing and performing hip hop and rap. Doc’s studio, Midnight Studios, opened in 2008 and was the birthplace of his first musical release, “The Storm.” He and his brother, Spencer, wrote the music and lyrics and the CD was produced by Midnight Studios. Doc was invited to perform at Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park in 2008 and 2009 where he thrilled an audience of 100,000 with his passionate drumming, dancing and athleticism. A gifted musician, he plays the drums, bass and piano but writing and arranging is his focus. Doc, 22, is married with one child and is a proud member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He and his family reside in Hollywood.
Native American actress Irene Bedard is best known to audiences as the voice of the title character in Disney's animated feature Pocahontas (1995, with Mel Gibson) Since then, she as starred in dozens of television, film and stage productions. Bedard's acting breakthrough came with the TV movie Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee in 1994. She has starred in Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994), Steven Spielberg’s Into the West, Smoke Signals, and Wildflowers with Daryl Hannah, among others. In addition to on-screen roles, she has lent her voice to the cartoons The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest and Pepper Ann.
Since 2000, Brian Frejo’s highly successful company Created 4 Greatness (C4G) and nationally known hip-hop group Culture Shock Camp, has provided invaluable services and entertainment to more than 200 reservations and urban Indian communities, 150 national and regional conferences, 50 universities and colleges, and 400 cities over the past five years. Through services such as motivational speaking, youth leadership trainings, workshops, performing arts camps, concerts, sporting, community and special events, Created 4 Greatness and Culture Shock Camp combined have touched the lives of more than 50,000 Native and non-Native youth. Brian (Pawnee/Seminole) is a highly talented and multi-faceted individual who is best known for his work as a Drug/Alcohol Free Motivational Speaker, “Cultural Activist,” Youth advocate, Performer, DJ, Mentor & Wellness Trainer . Brian is one of the most sought after Performer, DJ, music producer and promoter in Indian Country. As “Indigenius Shock B” he has performed with some of the most popular acts in music today. Brian also has his finger on the hottest and most up and coming Native music talent that has enabled him to produce a range of successful concerts, tours and special events that has gained him the reputation as one of the premier music promoters and special event organizers in Indian Country. Brian is also honored to be a part of the 2002 Grammy–nominated drum group “Young Bird.”
Actor and stuntman Cody Jones, an enrolled Eastern Shoshone tribal member of the Wind River Indian Reservation, grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and in Texas. As a boy, he dreamed of being a cowboy just like his grandfather. His extensive background in riding and training horses led to a career in stunt work beginning with The History Channel's "Carson and Cody: The Hunter Heroes” in 2003. While filming the documentary, Cody fell in love with movie business and went on to tour the Midwest in a Wild West show. Cody performed grueling stunts for battle scenes in Steven Spielberg’s TV mini-series Into the West. Two years ago, after the urging of good friend and respected actor Steve Reevis, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Upon arriving in Hollywood, he was immediately asked to model for the 2009 Native American Men's Calendar, from which he built a multi-cultural fan base. He went on to perform stunts and stunt riding for several films, including Hired Gun. Cody made his acting debut as Misoun in Dawn of Conviction, a story of brotherhood, loyalty, greed and betrayal in the Dakota Territory in the 1880s, to be released in May. His love of sports and knowledge of Lacrosse landed him a role as a Lacrosse player in the film Warrior, starring Twilight actors Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene. Warrior is due out in theaters later this year. A TV commercial he filmed this year for the U.S. Census continues to air in a number of markets. Most recently, Cody finished up work on the Coen brothers newest film True Grit, the independent film Wuss, and on Steven Spielberg's anticipated blockbuster hit Cowboys and Aliens--all due out next year.
George Tiger was born in the small Creek Indian community of Yardeka in McIntosh County Oklahoma. A full blood Creek he was born to Coody Tiger and Lela McNac Tiger. He belongs to the Wind Clan and his tribal town is Hickory Ground and a member of Yardeka Indian Baptist Church. As a child, George was diagnosed with the crippling disease polio. His parents were told early on their son would never walk. He not only begins to walk, but also play, run, and jump! The adversity and the hardship he endured motivated him to play sports. He enjoyed playing football and fast pitch softball. He graduated from Morris High School and attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Haskell Indian Junior College, and Northeastern State University. Remembering the values his parent’s taught him, he now serves to help other children succeed in continuing their education as the President of Haskell Indian NationsUniversity National Board of Regents in Lawrence, Kansas.
A member of the Yaqui people of southern Arizona, Gabriel Ayala is at the forefront ofa new generation of Native Americans making a career performing classical music. He earneda Master's Degree in Music Performance from the University of Arizona in 1997, has taught atall educational levels from elementary through college, and serves as a competition adjudicator.Although Gabriel truly enjoys being a teacher his busy touring schedule allows him to only teachin masterclass settings. Ayala performs regularly throughout the United States and has appeared at the Poway Center for Performing Arts, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Museum for the American Indian, and Oscar Meyer Theater in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2010, Gabriel was honored to perform at the Musical Instrument Museum in a series called “Guitar Masters”. Hehas been recognized by the former State of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, now Directorof Homeland Security, for his musical achievements. In addition, he has also been honored as the Artist of the Month for the Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce (IICOC). Not only is Gabriel recognized locally and in the United States but has had the opportunity to be the featured performer at the “Festival Internacional de la Guitarra Academica” in Venezuela with Performances in Caracas, Guarenas, Guatire and on National Public Television throughout Venezuela.
Jacob Pratt has also been playing the Traditional Native Flute since he was fourteen years old. He has been self taught and through years of practice has developed his own unique style of music. April 16, 2011 is the official release of his first CD entitled "Eagle Calls." Jacob chose to make a CD simply because there was huge demand from family and friends requesting a CD of his music. In Jacob's live performances his flute music is accompanied by both traditional and personal stories that are related to the flute. He has the ability to cater his stories and music to entertain many different age groups. Jacob has been a mens traditional dancer since he was a very young child. This style tells the story of a warrior who is hunting or in a battle. He has expanded his dancing to include the hoop dance. Jacob uses sixteen hoops to tell a story and depict many different things. With the hoops some of the images that are created include, the ladder of life, horse, bear, eagle, and the earth just to name a few. Lastly Jacob is considered to be a great role model to First Nations youth all across Canada. He chooses to live a healthy drug and alcohol free life style, attends university, and strives to lead by example for young people. Due to his positive life style Jacob is routinely requested to speak at youth and cultural events. Some of the topics that Jacob likes to speak about include, motivational, education, healthy life styles, culture, language revitalization, Striving for success, and many others.
“No gimmicks.” Such a simple statement. So bold and direct yet hard for most “artists” to accomplish. Contrived ruses have given many music sensations their 15 minutes. That same ploy has taken it away just as quickly. Those who rely on talent and passion; their ability and drive however, don't need a gimmick. Those two words—no gimmicks—perfectly encapsulate Joey Stylez, the world's premiere Native American hip hop artist. From his chameleon-esque sound, clothing and hair styles down to his ongoing adoration for skin art and undeniable good looks, Moosmin First Nations member Stylez is overtaking the world of hip hop with enthusiastic ease. And no damned gimmicks. Originally hailing from Saskatchewan, this internationally-acclaimed rhymer has proven that even in the Great White North, it's possible to overcome oppression. A victim of poverty in his youth despite being relocated to Saskatoon by a hardworking single mother, Stylez (aka Joseph Laplante) was raised low-income in a middle-class neighbourhood. The constant struggling and derision from outsiders determined—or rather forced—his take-no-prisoners attack. “I took to my own means of getting what I wanted,” declares Stylez about his approach to both life and music. “If I had to shoplift or sell something I...whatever...I'd do it by all means necessary. That mindset carried over in a positive way though, and influenced making music for me. If it takes guts, money, sugar or spice, I don't care. It's going to happen. I'm going to get it. I have tunnel vision; my mind set on the prize.”
Mark Trahant is an independent writer, teacher and a “Twitter poet.” He is currently Editor in Residence at the University of Idaho, School of Journalism and Mass Media. He was a 2009 Kaiser Media Fellow and is writing about health care reform with the focus of learning from programs the government already operates, such as the Indian Health Service. Trahant recently completed a monograph on the legacy of Sen. Henry M. Jackson. “Scoop” Jackson waswell known for his work on the environment and in the international arena. Less well known is his legacy on American Indian policy. He was the sponsor of a series of major reforms ranging from the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Trahant was a visiting lecturer for a course he developed called “Twitter & Democracy” at the Universityof Colorado at Boulder. The course raised questions about how a nation can tell its story in 140characters. It explored the relationship between social media and the news media. The course beganwith a history of media change, and then followed how the values of professional media are beingrewritten, ignored or transmitted through social media, including MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.He will teach a shorter version of the class at the University of Idaho in the Spring of 2010 and will participate in the UI’s Borah Symposium. Trahant also writes “news poems” on Twitter, four line rhymesbased on current news events under the handle, “NewsRimes4lines.”
Guitarist and singer/ songwriter Derek Miller is a journeyman musician with eclectic taste and a knack for roots inflected rock. Born on the Six Nations of the Grand River, Mohawk Territory, in Canada, Miller became interested in music in his early teens, and by the late '90s had not only toured with iconic Canadian vocalist Buffy Sainte-Marie but was also garnered a Juno for both his debut album, ‘Music Is the Medicine’ and sophomore album ‘The Dirty Looks’ in 2008. Derek's latest album ‘Derek Miller with Double Trouble’ takes us to the heart of Native Americana romanticism. It uses vintage tones and aesthetics of 50’s rock and roll with a modern twist, telling the story of a mythical man who has a blind moment of insanity and the events that got him to that point. The development in his newest recordings describe in a metaphoric way, the trials and tribulations of the artist. The first single ‘Damned If You Do’ features Willie Nelson singing a duet with Derek, which has a ‘Rez Dub’-like backing track complete with horns to add some sizzle. "The album is my attempt to create the feeling I got from soul, blues and country records I have listened to. Hillbilly Soul with some Mohawk swagger." Derek Miller is a dynamic performer, whether you catch him live or are listening to his studio albums, you can get a real sense of an artist striving for the pursuit of perfection in his work and life.
Born on April 7th in Pendleton, Oregon, Elaine Miles was raised in the Seattle area and is a member of the Cayuse and Nez Perce Tribes. As a youth she rodeo’d and pow wow’d and even rode around on the combines trucks! She is also an accomplished beader and corn husk weaver and has been beading and weaving since she was 8 years old. Only by chance did Elaine find her calling as an entertainer. With no previous acting experience, Elaine was discovered by Northern Exposure’s casting agents when she accompanied her mother, Armenia Miles, an open audition for the part of Marilyn. Since Northern Exposure which aired from 1990-1995, Miles has appeared in several films, including Mad Love (1994,) Smoke Signals (1997), The Business of Fancydancing (2002) and Skins (2002), and appeared on CBC’s half-hour series "The Rez" as Etta the medicine woman. Throughout her career she has received multiple awards including: First Americans in the Arts Native American Woman of the Year in 1993 America’s Celebrity Indian of the Year in 1995 Eagle Spirit Award-American Indian Film Institute in 2001 During 2008, Elaine and her family have endured several family losses to cancer, including their beloved Matriarch, mother Armenia. Keeping in touch with family, friends, and fans through myspace has been an unexpected blessing and currently Elaine is focusing again on her career and recently completed filming an episode for the new show “Wyvern” on the Sci-Fi Channel (tentative broadcast January 31, 2009) and has been emceeing and making “celebrity appearances” once again.
Joe Flood is a journalist who has spent the last seven years—since before he graduated from Harvard—researching the facts and implications of the epidemic of fires that swept through New York City in the 1970s. He is a recipient of the Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) Award, and he has written for TheAtlantic.com, The New York Post, DoubleTake magazine, The New York Sun, New York Magazine, and is the editor-at-large of the financial journal ai5000, where he writes about economics, financial innovation and technology.
Jace Martin is an artist with a passion for music. In the smooth unique styling’s of his voice you can hear he's truly developed his own groove. Martin was born and raised in Six Nations, Ontario and began singing professionally at the age of 13 on stages in Toronto, Ontario. . In 2009 Jace met Nashville Country Star ‘Crystal Shawanda' at the APCMA's and she was impressed by his performance and she asked him for his album, and in listening became an instant fan, and found what her new label "New Sun Records" was looking for. New Sun Records was started by Shawanda and guitarist/husband Dewayne Strobel. On his Debut World Release and First Album with New Sun Records, Jace Martin shines in new songs such as "Love of My Dreams" & "Falling Stars" and on re-recordings like "All Alone" & "Wouldn't It Be Nice" Jace sings with a renewed conviction, that sincerely believes he has found his voice, taking it old school on his rendition of "We Belong Together" previously recorded by Ritchie Valens. The Brand New EP is titled "Falling Stars" showcases an artist that knows exactly who he is, and is vibrant, energetic, funky, soulful and sincere. His positive attitude and willingness to grow and change inspires all, while his music takes you right to where it feels real good, right to where it's all Jace Martin.
2010 APCA Winner, 2007 Juno Nominee, CAMA Award Winning artist and 2009 Jessie Richardson Award Nominee (DORA Award), Jason Burnstick is a musician and composer who performs with his arsenal of weissenborns and lap slide guitars. Known for his ability to freely move from one style to the next, Jason attributes this freedom to his musical upbringing. There is an obvious flavour of blues and Latin influences in his style stemming from the guidance and support he received from his older brothers and a Latin texture that is accredited to the 1994 Juno nominated Andean Group Kanatan Aski, who Jason toured with during the late 1990’s. Now Jason can be found performing a mixture of blues and folk with his own band throughout Canada. However, he also takes every opportunity to perform with good friends and peers Juno award winner Leela Gilday, blues rock styling’s of George Leach or R&B artist INEZ. His tasteful musical presence compliments the mood of whatever setting he is placed whether it be a live performance, theatre, documentaries or in the opening musical themes for television series on APTN. For the past two years, Jason has been touring with cast and crew for Where the Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring performing the original score he composed to accompany the piece. “The whole play had the constant and unobtrusive playing of Jason Burnstick’s guitar and weissenborn lap slide playing and singing…“ Alex Waterhouse-Hayward, Photographer, writer, artist. Kevin Loring’s, Where The Blood Mixes. One of Jason’s personal musical highlights was when his idol, Pura Fe, asked him to sit in as a musical guest at the Yale blues club in Vancouver in 2007 during her set. Now as he steps further into his blues roots he has armed himself with a very special gift from his musical hero, a double neck lap slide guitar. “I know Pura Fe is going to go down in history as one of our greats!…Jason Burnstick”
JR Redwater. age 33, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He was featured in the Showtime Comedy Special, "Goin' Native, American Indian Comedy Slam, No Reservations!" that debuted December 31, 2009.
Topics include "THE LONG WALK TO REVERSE DIABETES" scheduled for February 14th, 2011, Health, Alternative Medicines.
Ryan is an Osage who spent his early years on the Osage Reservation in the largest of the 3 existiing traditional Osage Indian Villages, the Wa.hxa.ko.lin district. Hes a member of the Tsi.zho Wa.shta.ke Clan (Peace maker/Gentle Sky Clan) and was named accordingly at age five. Since age six, hes been a participant in the Osage In.lon.shka dance. He attended University of Kansas where he graduated in 2003 with a BFA in Graphic Design. While at KU he served four years in the First Nations Student Association and two of those years as Co-president. In 2004 he was named the Big XII Conference Native American Leadership Graduate Student of the Year. Among other things he curated an all Native activist art exhibit for the Mid America American Studies Association, sat on several university wide discussion panels dealing with the issue of Indian mascots and American Indian Identity, helped organize a protest at the Kansas City Chiefs/Washington Redskins game and is currently working on a documentary on the Indian mascot issue. Ryan's graphic design clientele is almost exclusively Native American tribes, Native owned businesses and Native American non-profit groups. He is very familiar with protocol and the proper use of imagery of Native American populations and producing work on a national level through the integration of tribally specific designs to each one of their respective communities. He bridges the long standing gap between traditional Native communities and the graphic design world that is used to represent them to the general public. He has earned the trust and respect of indigenous communities throughout the country with his hands on communal level approach and understanding of their wishes, desires, and maintenance of their specific tribal aesthetic designs systems and symbols. Bringing American Indian graphic representation into the 21st century with a no holds barred unapologetic philosophy, he aims to disassemble the publics perception of Indigenous peoples.