-11/21/97-

Douglas Spotted Eagle, a singer, songwriter, actor, filmmaker, scoring composer,  editor, political activist, is coming to Bridgeport to do a concert for the Children's Wellness Center. His current CD "PRAY", is described as a musical journey throughout the span of a day, beginning with a prayer, ending with a Fire Dance. Energetic, powerful, and at times, sorrowful, this CD certainly made me think about other worlds and cultures. I was able to have a few moments with Douglas on the phone, and found him as gracious with his words as he is with his music.

What compelled you to record "PRAY"?

I felt that prayer is something that's missing from our everyday world. I don't think your religion, or even faith in God is a prerequisite for prayer or receiving the benefits of it. Whether you are speaking to a higher power, or speaking to your neuron system within your own body, prayer is an activator in both a positive and negative manner. Prayer is really a form of self talk that benefits all of the universe when done in a positive, humble manner.

 

So prayer is part of your daily life?

In one form or another, yes. Prayer doesn't necessarily mean getting on your knees and speaking to your greater power source. It's more of a reverence,  a respect, with a silent or uttered word of thanks and request.

 

Are you a healer with your music?

(Chuckling) That is a loaded question if I ever heard one. Some people tell me my music helps them heal in their own way. Those are wonderful words for a musician to hear. But am I a healer, medicine man, or something like that? No. Not at all. I don't think I have what it takes to handle the responsibility of being a medicine man. No way.

 

What inspires your music?

Nearly everything in my world inspires me. I've made songs while listening to trains going down the track. I've songs while listening to birds and other animals in the zoo. I've made songs at powwows, and made songs in the middle of concerts. All that moves inspires me. My culture, my family, my environment, my fans, water, air, fire, drums, everything.

 

You mention your culture, and your music seems to be a reflection of your culture. How has your culture affected your view of music?

I'd have to say that my culture is what started my flute music, and has always been a part of my music from the rock and roll days.  The ceremonies I grew up with, the way my family treated me, and the things I learned all have shaped who I am, which in turn shapes my music. When I was a dancer, I learned to be respectful of certain things,  I learned to make way for other things, and learned to respect the ground I was dancing on, because there were others who went before me that preserved our rights to dance, and to live.

Do you do any specific tribal dances at the powwows?

No, most powwow dance is inter-tribal. People from any tribe or Nation dance one of  several dance styles. Men dance Northern Traditional, Southern Traditional, Fancy, and Grass. Women dance Northern and Southern Traditional, Fancy Shawl, and Jingle. Those dances are all for people of whatever Nation wants to dance them. When I was a dancer, I danced men's Northern Traditional.

 

If the dances are all inter-tribal, then what tribe do you come from?

My family is from the Lakota Nation. I was adopted as a child, and raised that way. My family gave me my name was I turned 16. When I was older, my teen years were spent with a Dine', or who you call Navajo family, the family of a close friend. They adopted me the Native way, and that's why I tend to often look to the Dine' culture and call it my own. But both families are my family, both have taught me my life, and both are still teaching me even though there are no elders left from when I was young.

 

So you are Lakota? Is that like Sioux?

No, I'm not Lakota. I was told as a child, right up til I was an adult, that I had Native blood, and so I set out to learn about it. I could never find any proof that I had it, and so as far as I'm concerned, I'm white. Native America may, or may not be my heritage, but it is my culture. My life partner is Dine' and her family wouldn't let her leave the family, they demanded that I become a son to them instead. I consider both my Dine' and Lakota families to be my world my life, and my circle. Therefore,  I guess I'm tri-cultural.

What are your feelings about "New Age" Native Americanism?

If you are referring to the issue of so many non-native people turning to this culture for help and answers, on one level, I think it's great. On another level, I think it's scary. Because if the recent popularity, it's broken ground for 'plastic shamen' or fake medicine men to come out of the woodwork. Some are Native, others are not. They often mix cultural religions together, and that can be dangerous, and explosive. Worst is when they mix Buddha, Zen, India, and Native America all in the same pot. You can walk on each side of the road and be safe. As soon as you step into the middle of the road, you will get run over. I don't think most 'outsiders' really grasp the power of the ceremonies, and so feel that they can 'play' around with them, all the while fooling themselves that they are doing it in the guise of Native American spirituality. If they don't go to the source, they're gonna get hurt. It's only a matter of time.

 

What do you mean, "go to the source?"

I mean, go to the rez, go to the elders. Don't buy books and expect the answers to real questions. If you want to know why water tastes good, go to the wellhead or spring. If you really want to know the answers, get on a plane, get in a car, go to a rez, expect some rejection until the people know who you are, and then, you can learn. Education, spiritual advancement all come at a cost, and the cost is not 24.99 for a book with a Native guy on the cover, or a video teaching someone how to sweat. Can you imagine buying a video to learn how to sweat? Or paying a 200.00 "love-offering" to a "medicine man" who puts men and women together in inipi? Reminds me of Earl Scheib, you know the paint guy? "I'll sweat anybody for 199.95." That's the scary part. It just isn't that easy, or cheap. Go to the source.

 

Let's talk about your music for a moment. Do you consider it to be New Age, or is it Native American?

I don't really think of it as either. It's music. That's all. It certainly is Native-culture inspired, because that's who I am. There are lots of Native people on my recordings as well. There are themes that could be considered to be traditional in nature. There are obviously very contemporary feels too. Is it Native music? What is Native music? Is it music made by Natives for the whole world, or for just Natives? Is it music made by non-Natives for the whole world or just for Natives? Is it traditional or contemporary? I think that's far too broad a spectrum to cover with just one question. I guess it's just world music, but since we are in the States, it's not allowed to be considered world music. It usually gets put in the New Age box. Call it what you want, just so long as I get to keep making it.

 

What kind of music will be on your next CD?  

I'm not certain yet. My son is pushing me to be more aggressive, like in "First Contact" on "PRAY." So I imagine I'll go there next. It's always a gamble, starting a recording project, because I never know where it will end up. I've made country songs, rock songs, and songs that are just for live performance. It's fun to keep trying new things, and the flute is so much more than people often think of it to be.

 

Listening back, I can really see a change and growth in your music over the years. What is it that keeps you changing while still maintaining your identity?

I don't want to sound like anyone else. As you mentioned earlier, I made the first flute and synthesizer CD, and then others started to copy that sound. So I tried something new. Then again, and again. I really don't ever want people to listen to one CD and then listen to yet another, and feel they've heard the same music before. The flute only has six to eight notes, so it's easy to get stuck in a rut. The changes help me to keep from getting stuck there. Also, I love working with the electronics and synths.

 

How has "PRAY" been received thus far by your fans?

I think by and large, they enjoy it, even though it is a more spiritual and quiet side of me after "Closer to Far Away" and "Common Ground" CD's. I think I needed to tap into a place that I hadn't been for a while. We also use a lot of the music from "PRAY" in the VOICES tour.

 

No one could ever accuse you of being stuck in a rut. You almost seem to be the Jethro Tull of Native American flute. Has anyone compared you to them?

(laughing) I've been compared to several players, but not Jethro Tull. I've always liked Ian Anderson, he's a great player. "Songs From the Woods" is one of my favorite recordings. Spin Magazine once called me "The Eddie VanHalen" of the Native flute, and a newspaper in Arkansas once compared me to Paul McCartney, which really surprised me because the Beatles have always been one of my greatest inspirations.

 

If you could play with any musician alive today, who would it be?

That is certainly a difficult one. I can think of several. George Winston,  Ottmar Liebert, Enigma, Deep Forest, John Barry, Phil Collins, or Cher would all be choices.

 

Wide variety of musical styles, wouldn't you say? Who is your favorite person that you have played with?

Robbie Robertson certainly comes to mind, I learned a lot from him. Craig Chaquico is also awesome, and he's a great person as well. Very down to earth.  Of all though, I really have enjoyed working with the pow wow groups on their projects.

 

What kinds of pow wow groups have you worked with?

I've worked with Blacklodge, Blackstone, Indian Creek who are my favorites, SagePoint, Greyhorse, Calf Robe, and dozens of others. Tom Bee of SOAR Records has been really great, and given me the opportunity to produce the Gathering of Nations CD's for the past 6 years. Indian Creek is my favorite because of all the projects we've done together. They worked on "500 Nations" with me, they are heard in "The Scarlet Letter", and we've worked on the VOICES of Native America sampling CD together as well. Their lead singer, Herman Begay tours with the VOICES of native america performing arts tour too.

 

On your website, I see a lot of information and pointed concern regarding racism. Any comments?

In my opinion, racism in any form is the most deadly issue facing the future of our world. Saying " Indian People Suck" is a form of racism, but so is saying "I just love Indian People." Because both reduce individuals to less than human. Why not just watch and learn. Nothing more needs to be said on either side. Racism comes in so many forms. From people who would look at Native people, or people from any race, in a condescending "It's up to me to help you" kind of view. People who believe that spirituality is pan-Indian, that all Native people are spiritual. That is about as absurd as someone saying that all Black people like chicken, or that all Hispanic people like Samba music. Or that all Asian people are brilliant. See, when you put apply those same stereotypes to other cultures, it sounds silly. But for some reason, people miss the point when it comes to Native culture.

Any final words for our readers?

Mostly, I just want to say "Ahii'hee'," or "thank you to the people who are listening to my music. My music is the best way that I have to express my hurts, joys, experiences, and emotions. My family, my culture, my travels all find their way into the music.

Most importantly, I hope that my music is always something that causes people to feel and to be able to express those feelings somehow. I like the fact that my music has so few words, and what words are there are in a language that so few understand. Because it allows the listener the opportunity to create their own vision of what the music means to them, without me forcing them to see and hear my vision. It's personal freedom because each person who listens gets to decide what each song means to them, rather than what it means to me. And that freedom to me, is an extension of what life is supposed to be about. Personal freedom to be who you are. Recognize that Native culture is a breathing culture, growing, changing. Recognize that we are human. Recognize that the culture has something to offer, something to say, and something to share. In a positive way.

It's my prayer that my music does bring people closer to this dream.