INDIGE-

BRATION

November 1, 2022

Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody share the importance of Indige-Bration


Tuesday, November 1, 2022
7:00 PM MST

Indige-Bration is the American Indian College Fund’s exclusive virtual concert to celebrate Indigenous Peoples – and we hope you join us! The roster of performers is pretty incredible, so you will get to enjoy some of the best music ever, while also hearing a little more about how, together, we can amplify and celebrate Indigenous voices, history, and culture.

Check out our complete performance line-up for this wonderful celebration of music, stories from College Fund scholarship recipients, and celebrities. In the meantime, gear up for this year’s concert by re-watching (or watching for the first time!), last year’s outstanding performances.

 

Featured Artists

tabooTABOO

Jimmy Gomez, also known to his bandmates and fans as “Taboo,” is not just a member of the global chart-topping sensation, ‪The Black Eyed Peas, but is also an accomplished dancer, actor, Marvel writer, author, and philanthropist. Born in East Los Angeles, Taboo followed his dream of being an entertainer and rose from humble beginnings to unimaginable success. The fates aligned in 1992 when Taboo met his fellow band mates, will.i.am and apl.de.ap, at a hip hop club in LA. The trio formed a friendship that in 1995 would evolve into a group, all while working as cast members during the day at Disneyland and performing as the “Black Eyed Peas” at night.

After a more than 25-year run of record-breaking chart toppers, today the Grammy-Award winning Black Eyed Peas have sold a staggering 65 million albums worldwide, bringing their enigmatic fusion of pop, hip-hop and dance music to a global audience. Taboo is now a driving force behind BEP’s return after battling and beating cancer in 2014, while also being an inspirational voice for water protectors, including Standing Rock 2016. Most recently Taboo has embraced the role of writer at Marvel comics and just released a book he co-wrote with B.Earl called “Werewolf by Night.” He is one of the first Indigenous voices at Marvel, along with other Native and Indigenous story tellers, and has also released a children’s book about identity, which focuses on programming through an inclusive Indigenous lens to inspire kids to be proud of who they are and where they come from.

Indigo girlsINDIGO GIRLS

Twenty years after they began releasing records as the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have politely declined the opportunity to slow down with age. With a legacy of releases and countless U.S. and international tours behind them, the Indigo Girls have forged their own way in the music business. Selling over 14 million records, they are still going strong. Amy & Emily are the only duo with top 40 titles on the Billboard 200 in the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s.

lukas nelsonLUKAS NELSON

Lukas Nelson is a Grammy-award winning musician, who has toured the world with his acclaimed band, Promise of the Real, for over a decade. Son of the legendary Willie Nelson, Lukas has forged his own path of blending rock and country. Having toured and doing shows his whole life, the pandemic forced Lukas to come back home and retie his connections with friends and family. Having to sit still for a while, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, recorded their latest album A Few Stars Apart, which they have defined as a testament to finding a human connection. There is so much in the world that separates us, and Nelson’s songwriting is a reminder to search for and find that closeness as we are all made from the same thing.

martha redboneMARTHA REDBONE

Martha Redbone is a Native & African-American vocalist/songwriter/composer/educator. She is known for her unique gumbo of folk, blues and gospel from her childhood in Harlan County, Kentucky, infused with the eclectic grit of pre-gentrified Brooklyn. Inheriting the powerful vocal range of her gospel-singing African American father and the resilient spirit of her mother’s Cherokee/Shawnee/Choctaw culture, Redbone broadens the boundaries of American Roots music. With songs and storytelling that share her life experience as a Native and Black woman and mother in the new millennium, Redbone gives voice to issues of social justice, bridging traditions from past to present, connecting cultures, and celebrating the human spirit.

brooke simpsonBROOKE SIMPSON

Brooke Simpson (Haliwa-Saponi) is a powerhouse vocalist who is passionate about music, people, and her culture. Brooke has worked with artists such as Miley Cyrus, and Sia, and was recently featured in a global Nike N7 campaign. She was a finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” and a finalist on “America’s Got Talent!” and has released multiple singles including her latest release, “Haliwa.” Brooke is currently making her Broadway debut in the revival of the Tony Award winning musical “1776”, directed by Diane Paulus and Jeffrey Page.

THE HALLUCI NATION

As they enter a new cycle, Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of A Tribe Called Red are reintroducing themselves as The Halluci Nation, to reflect the evolution of their music and mission. The Halluci Nation, takes its name from a phrase coined by John Trudell, to describe the vast global community of people who remember at their core what it means to be human.

The Halluci Nation maintains focus on what they feel they can impact most: how Indigenous people are seen. Through groundbreaking stage shows and ever-changing visuals, Bear Witness and 2oolman are working to create media that reflects today’s Indigenous identity. They see themselves simply as contributors to a necessary conversation around a subtle and complex representation of the contemporary Indigenous experience. 

FRANK WALN

Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota) is a public speaker, multi-genre music artist, and curator from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. He’s appeared on radio and television, including MTV, ESPN and NPR. Frank is passionate about elevating Native Americans issues by addressing settler colonialism, mental health, and cultural preservation in his work. Described as “a masterclass in understanding the world from the viewpoint of Native America…”, Frank’s work improves our understanding of our collective history and brings to light cultural strengths we can build on to create a more just world.

 

RAYE ZARAGOZA

Raye Zaragoza is a Japanese-American, Mexican, and Indigenous artist making music to fight for, represent, and celebrate those left too long outside the spotlight. Raye spent much of her early life trying to assimilate with the world around her, to meet punishing standards of beauty synonymous with just one skin color—and not her own. She has come a long way since that youthful pain, “I am proud to be a multicultural brown woman with insecurities and a vibrant intersectional identity that I continue to grapple with. I hope young girls of today will know that the It Girl is whatever the hell they want to be.” Woman In Color, Raye’s sophomore album, delivers powerful missives about embracing one’s own identity and discovering the power behind it.

 

james jones aka notorious creeJAMES JONES

James Jones is Nehiyaw (Cree) from Tall Cree First Nation in Treaty 8 Territory in Northern Alberta. With a global audience of 4M+ on Instagram and TikTok, Notorious Cree uses his voice to educate and spread awareness on issues impacting Indigenous communities across the globe. As a traditional hoop and powwow dancer, performance artist, youth workshop facilitator, and public speaker, James inspires future generations through his advocacy by reclaiming his culture and encouraging others to do the same. Notable performances include the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2014 and 2022 Juno awards, 2015 Pan Am Games, Coachella and as a previous contestant on So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) Canada.

Special Guests

amber midthunder

 

Amber Midthunder

 

Zahn McClarnon

tea leoni

 

Téa Leoni

Featured Artists

tabooTABOO

Jimmy Gomez, also known to his bandmates and fans as “Taboo,” is not just a member of the global chart-topping sensation, ‪The Black Eyed Peas, but is also an accomplished dancer, actor, Marvel writer, author, and philanthropist. Born in East Los Angeles, Taboo followed his dream of being an entertainer and rose from humble beginnings to unimaginable success. The fates aligned in 1992 when Taboo met his fellow band mates, will.i.am and apl.de.ap, at a hip hop club in LA. The trio formed a friendship that in 1995 would evolve into a group, all while working as cast members during the day at Disneyland and performing as the “Black Eyed Peas” at night.

After a more than 25-year run of record-breaking chart toppers, today the Grammy-Award winning Black Eyed Peas have sold a staggering 65 million albums worldwide, bringing their enigmatic fusion of pop, hip-hop and dance music to a global audience. Taboo is now a driving force behind BEP’s return after battling and beating cancer in 2014, while also being an inspirational voice for water protectors, including Standing Rock 2016. Most recently Taboo has embraced the role of writer at Marvel comics and just released a book he co-wrote with B.Earl called “Werewolf by Night.” He is one of the first Indigenous voices at Marvel, along with other Native and Indigenous story tellers, and has also released a children’s book about identity, which focuses on programming through an inclusive Indigenous lens to inspire kids to be proud of who they are and where they come from.

Indigo girlsINDIGO GIRLS

Twenty years after they began releasing records as the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have politely declined the opportunity to slow down with age. With a legacy of releases and countless U.S. and international tours behind them, the Indigo Girls have forged their own way in the music business. Selling over 14 million records, they are still going strong. Amy & Emily are the only duo with top 40 titles on the Billboard 200 in the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s.

lukas nelsonLUKAS NELSON

Lukas Nelson is a Grammy-award winning musician, who has toured the world with his acclaimed band, Promise of the Real, for over a decade. Son of the legendary Willie Nelson, Lukas has forged his own path of blending rock and country. Having toured and doing shows his whole life, the pandemic forced Lukas to come back home and retie his connections with friends and family. Having to sit still for a while, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, recorded their latest album A Few Stars Apart, which they have defined as a testament to finding a human connection. There is so much in the world that separates us, and Nelson’s songwriting is a reminder to search for and find that closeness as we are all made from the same thing.

martha redboneMARTHA REDBONE

Martha Redbone is a Native & African-American vocalist/songwriter/composer/educator. She is known for her unique gumbo of folk, blues and gospel from her childhood in Harlan County, Kentucky, infused with the eclectic grit of pre-gentrified Brooklyn. Inheriting the powerful vocal range of her gospel-singing African American father and the resilient spirit of her mother’s Cherokee/Shawnee/Choctaw culture, Redbone broadens the boundaries of American Roots music. With songs and storytelling that share her life experience as a Native and Black woman and mother in the new millennium, Redbone gives voice to issues of social justice, bridging traditions from past to present, connecting cultures, and celebrating the human spirit.

brooke simpsonBROOKE SIMPSON

Brooke Simpson (Haliwa-Saponi) is a powerhouse vocalist who is passionate about music, people, and her culture. Brooke has worked with artists such as Miley Cyrus, and Sia, and was recently featured in a global Nike N7 campaign. She was a finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” and a finalist on “America’s Got Talent!” and has released multiple singles including her latest release, “Haliwa.” Brooke is currently making her Broadway debut in the revival of the Tony Award winning musical “1776”, directed by Diane Paulus and Jeffrey Page.

halluci nationTHE HALLUCI NATION

As they enter a new cycle, Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of A Tribe Called Red are reintroducing themselves as The Halluci Nation, to reflect the evolution of their music and mission. The Halluci Nation, takes its name from a phrase coined by John Trudell, to describe the vast global community of people who remember at their core what it means to be human.

The Halluci Nation maintains focus on what they feel they can impact most: how Indigenous people are seen. Through groundbreaking stage shows and ever-changing visuals, Bear Witness and 2oolman are working to create media that reflects today’s Indigenous identity. They see themselves simply as contributors to a necessary conversation around a subtle and complex representation of the contemporary Indigenous experience.

RAYE ZARAGOZA

Raye Zaragoza is a Japanese-American, Mexican, and Indigenous artist making music to fight for, represent, and celebrate those left too long outside the spotlight. Raye spent much of her early life trying to assimilate with the world around her, to meet punishing standards of beauty synonymous with just one skin color—and not her own. She has come a long way since that youthful pain, “I am proud to be a multicultural brown woman with insecurities and a vibrant intersectional identity that I continue to grapple with. I hope young girls of today will know that the It Girl is whatever the hell they want to be.” Woman In Color, Raye’s sophomore album, delivers powerful missives about embracing one’s own identity and discovering the power behind it.

 

FRANK WALN

Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota) is a public speaker, multi-genre music artist, and curator from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. He’s appeared on radio and television, including MTV, ESPN and NPR. Frank is passionate about elevating Native Americans issues by addressing settler colonialism, mental health, and cultural preservation in his work. Described as “a masterclass in understanding the world from the viewpoint of Native America…”, Frank’s work improves our understanding of our collective history and brings to light cultural strengths we can build on to create a more just world.

 

james jones aka notorious creeJAMES JONES

James Jones is Nehiyaw (Cree) from Tall Cree First Nation in Treaty 8 Territory in Northern Alberta. With a global audience of 4M+ on Instagram and TikTok, Notorious Cree uses his voice to educate and spread awareness on issues impacting Indigenous communities across the globe. As a traditional hoop and powwow dancer, performance artist, youth workshop facilitator, and public speaker, James inspires future generations through his advocacy by reclaiming his culture and encouraging others to do the same. Notable performances include the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2014 and 2022 Juno awards, 2015 Pan Am Games, Coachella and as a previous contestant on So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) Canada.

Special Guests

amber midthunder

 

Amber Midthunder

 

Zahn McClarnon

tea leoni

 

Téa Leoni

Indige-Bration concert 2022

Watch last year’s concert

About Us

The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities. We’ve been around for more than 30 years, and our students still have the same experience many of our first students experienced in the beginning – they are still invisible. It’s hard to imagine your future when you rarely see Native role models around you — in our government, on TV or in the movies, in corporate positions of wealth and power, in healthcare, in technology or even in education.

You don’t even see yourself counted in most publicized data, like college graduation rates, medical data or research studies and, if we are, we are included in the “other” or “everything else” categories. According to the 2020 US Census, people who identify as Native Americans/Alaska Natives are now almost 10,000,000 people strong, nearly doubling since the 2010 census. It’s time our voices are heard.

You can help make this happen by encouraging everyone you know to seek out Native voices and perspectives, learn more about the history of the land you live on, open someone’s heart and mind to the hard truths of our history and hold people accountable for acknowledging Indigenous peoples and voices in the world today.

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