A series of programs presented by the
National Museum of the American Indian and
The Smithsonian Associates
All programs will take place in the
Elmer and Mary Louise Rasmuson Theater,
National Museum of the American Indian
Tickets Required: TSA/NMAI members, $20;
senior members, $18; general admission, $25;
students, $15.
For tickets, please call 202-357-3030, or visit
www.ResidentAssociates.org.
Veteran actress Muriel Miguel (Kuna/Rappahannock) of Spiderwoman Theater returns to the stage in a compelling performance of her most recent one-woman show, Red Mother, a new dance theater piece. Inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage, it is the story of Belle, the Red Mother, who travels across the North American continent with her magical horse and companion, Blue Fred. Belle travels through times of war and conflict that have inextricably changed the very core of Indigenous life on this land. A witness to the relentless rape of the earth and eradication of her people, Belle survives by using her wits and wiles.
Red Mother challenges the romantic perceptions of Indian women, and takes to task the myth that all Native ancestors are “noble.” Red Mother illustrates that Native culture survives because of women like Belle, a warrior and a hero, who is able to find hope in the future.
Red Mother challenges the romantic perceptions of Indian women, and takes to task the myth that all Native ancestors are “noble.” Red Mother illustrates that Native culture survives because of women like Belle, a warrior and a hero, who is able to find hope in the future.
*Please note that after the Saturday evening performance, there will be a discussion with Muriel Miguel and Gloria Miguel of Spiderwoman Theater.
As a college student in the early 1960s, Buffy Sainte-Marie (Cree) became known as a writer of protest songs and love songs. Many of these became huge hits and classics of the era, performed by hundreds of other artists including Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Janis Joplin, Roberta Flack, Neil Diamond, Tracy Chapman, and The Boston Pops Orchestra. Sainte-Marie’s song, “Up Where We Belong,” from the film An Officer and a Gentleman, won an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song, in 1983.
Sainte-Marie has been named in France as the Best International Artist of 1993. That same year, she was selected by the United Nations to proclaim officially the International Year of Indigenous Peoples. Sainte-Marie was inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame in 1995 for her life-long contribution to music, and won a Gemini Award in 1997 for the Canadian TV special Buffy Sainte-Marie: Up Where We Belong. This also marked the first time she had performed her Oscar-winning song to a live audience. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation in Canada in 1998, and was also made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1999, Sainte-Marie received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Sainte-Marie has been named in France as the Best International Artist of 1993. That same year, she was selected by the United Nations to proclaim officially the International Year of Indigenous Peoples. Sainte-Marie was inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame in 1995 for her life-long contribution to music, and won a Gemini Award in 1997 for the Canadian TV special Buffy Sainte-Marie: Up Where We Belong. This also marked the first time she had performed her Oscar-winning song to a live audience. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation in Canada in 1998, and was also made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1999, Sainte-Marie received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
“Native American people have volumes to speak not only to
non-Indian society but to each other as well. I personally feel that all of us, Indian and non-Indian alike, could benefit, especially now, from Native American philosophy and life experience. I intend to continue not only as a performer, teacher, and choreographer, but also as a catalyst for cross-cultural understanding.”
—Rosalie Daystar Jones, Blackfeet
Rosalie Daystar Jones (Blackfeet) and her Daystar Dance Company will perform Jones’ autobiographical dance program, “No Home But The Heart.” Founded in 1980, the Daystar Dance Company was the first dance company in the U.S. created with only Native performers and specializing in the portrayal of stories of Indian America.
non-Indian society but to each other as well. I personally feel that all of us, Indian and non-Indian alike, could benefit, especially now, from Native American philosophy and life experience. I intend to continue not only as a performer, teacher, and choreographer, but also as a catalyst for cross-cultural understanding.”
—Rosalie Daystar Jones, Blackfeet
Rosalie Daystar Jones (Blackfeet) and her Daystar Dance Company will perform Jones’ autobiographical dance program, “No Home But The Heart.” Founded in 1980, the Daystar Dance Company was the first dance company in the U.S. created with only Native performers and specializing in the portrayal of stories of Indian America.