Lyla June is Taos, New Mexico-based singer/songwriter who lives her life according to "the path of service." Besides being a musician, she's also a poet, anthropologist, educator, community organizer and public speaker. She is of Diné (Navajo) and Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) Native American lineages. CultureCatch sat with her recently. Here's that interview:
David Ashdown: What role did music play in your upbringing in the Diné tradition?
Lyla June: In the Diné language (Diné Bizaad) Hataałii means both "singer" and "doctor". Also, in our language Sodizin means both "song" and "prayer." So in my upbringing, music was all about deep intention to make the world a better place. Music was seen as a healer and singers were viewed as doctors. I was born into a world of struggle, as Native Americans continue to live in post-war conditions after the Native American holocaust. There's a lot of work to do to improve our communities.
David Ashdown: What role did music play in your upbringing in the Diné tradition?
Lyla June: In the Diné language (Diné Bizaad) Hataałii means both "singer" and "doctor". Also, in our language Sodizin means both "song" and "prayer." So in my upbringing, music was all about deep intention to make the world a better place. Music was seen as a healer and singers were viewed as doctors. I was born into a world of struggle, as Native Americans continue to live in post-war conditions after the Native American holocaust. There's a lot of work to do to improve our communities.
- 1/24/2018
- by David Ashdown
- www.culturecatch.com
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