Show Notes
Joanne Shenandoah, Wolf Clan, Oneida, stepped off this earth November 22, 2021, following a long illness. She takes her place among the other celestial bodies where she’ll continue her work of connecting the past to present and present to future…
After walking away from a prestigious career as a computer programmer, Joanne dedicated her life to educating people around the world about the rich traditions of the Haudenosaunee peoples through songwriting and storytelling. She blazed the trail for an entire generation of Indigenous artists and her passing signifies the end of an important chapter in the Native American music scene.
Through the decades she’s recorded various genres of music, including orchestral, folk, country, spoken word and more.. She was a multi Native American Music Award winner and counts a Grammy among her numerous accolades. The only thing more impressive than the number of celebrities she collaborated with over the years is the amount of lives she influenced for the better through her words, songs and good vibrations.
And all that barely scratches the surface of her artistic endeavors, not to mention her many humanitarian causes. Hers was a life of giving and this week on Gaënö’ we reflect on her incredible life with a special tribute. In addition to a few of Joannes timeless songs, I chat with Ellen Bello, longtime friend and Founder/CEO of the Native American Music Awards and Leah Shenandoah, daughter/collaborator/musician/fashion designer and all around BAB. Also included are clips of Joanne herself from past episodes of Gaënö’ (April 2019, May 2020 and March 2021).
Gönóöhgwa’ Tekaliwhakwah.
She’s survived by husband Doug George-Kanentiio, daughter Leah and grandson Ryder.
As Joanne was such a giving soul, consider giving to her family as they continue selflessly working with her legacy.
Tributes
Playlist
01- Kahawi’tha- Matriarch: Iroquois Women’s Songs
02- We Will Rise Up- Single
03- Clip from Gaënö’, April 2019
04- Missing You- Shenandoah Country
05- Interview with Ellen Bello, longtime friend and Founder/CEO Native American Music Awards
06- After the 49 (w Paul Ortega)- Loving Ways
07- Clip from Gaënö’, March 2021
08- Blue Sky- Shenandoah Country
09- Clip from Gaënö’, May 2020
10- Interview with Leah Shenandoah, Daughter
11- When the Eagle Cries (live)- Peace-IN Youtube Livestream June 23-26, 2020
12- Clip from Gaënö’, March 2021
13- She Returned Home- Lifegivers