1995

Jerod Impichch aachaaha' Tate (Chickasaw) spent his summer as a composer-in-residence for the Grand Canyon Music Festival’s Native American Composer Apprentice Program (NACAP). It all started when Carlos Nakai was performing for the Festival a few years ago and recommended beginning a classical composition program for local Indian kids. The kids study composing for four weeks, followed by a performance of their works at the Grand Canyon Music Festival with the resident string quartet. Jerod had a wonderful time with 20 kids while teaching at Tuba City High School, Gray Hills Academy, Monument Valley High School and Hopi High School. The experience was life altering for Jerod and he plans to stay with this program for many more years. He even convinced the Chickasaw Nation to let him start a similar music program in Oklahoma. Taloa5@msn.com

Assistant Professor of Art, Melanie Yazzie (Navajo) is a globe trotter, once again. This time to Hastings, New Zealand with Native Artists and her students from the University of Arizona at Tucson in January 2005 for the Te Mata Gathering. They will be making art together for a week and will have an exhibition featuring their work. This is a continuation of her community initiative that she began in 1995 with AIO. The project has been growing and she has been back to New Zealand six times since 1995! She has also expanded into working with people in Hawaii, Siberia, Mexico, South Africa, the Middle East and Northern Ireland. The projects all focus on American Indian issues, as they relate to the government and tribal issues, such as those that can cross over and relate to peoples of other lands. She wishes to thank all the AIO family for its wonderful support. myazzie@email.arizona.edu