Joanne Shenandoah

Joanne Lynn Shenandoah (June 23, 1957 – November 22, 2021) was a Native American singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in the United States. She was a citizen of the Oneida Indian Nation, Wolf clan, based in New York. Her music combined traditional melodies with a blend of modern instrumentation, and her lyrics conveyed her interests in nature, women's lives and Iroquois culture.

Shenandoah recorded more than 15 albums and won numerous awards, including an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Syracuse University in 2002. She received a Grammy Award for her part in the album Sacred Ground: A Tribute to Mother Earth (2005), which had tracks by numerous artists.

Early life and education Joanne Lynn Shenandoah was born on June 23, 1957, in Syracuse, New York, to Maisie Shenandoah, Wolf Clan Mother of the Oneida Indian Nation, in New York, and Clifford Shenandoah, an Onondaga Nation chief from the Beaver clan. Both nations are part of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy). She had four sisters, Wanda, Vicky, Diane, and Danielle, as well as a brother, Jerry. As the Oneida have a matrilineal kinship system, the siblings were all considered to be born into their mother's Wolf clan. Through her father's line, she was a direct descendant of Skenandoa, also known as John Shenandoah, an Oneida "pine tree chief."

Joanne Shenandoah grew up on the Oneida Reservation near Oneida, New York. She learned many traditional songs and music styles, and played many instruments, including piano, guitar, flute, and cello. She was given the name Tekaliwhakwah, which translates as "she sings." Her songs were featured in the television series Northern Exposure.

Recognition Shenandoah was a Grammy Award winner. She received more Native American Music Awards (14) than any other Native Artist, and a total of more than 40 music awards. She has also received numerous Indie Awards and Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS). She was presented with the Rigoberta Menchú – Highest award by the Native Film Festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for her soundtrack in the documentary, Our Land Our Life.

In 2012, Shenandoah was honored with the Atlas Award for her work with the climate change movement, both in the US and around the world.

Personal life Shenandoah's family is deeply invested in Haudenosaunee culture. Her daughter, Leah Shenandoah, accompanied the singer on the road across continents to perform since she was a child. She formed an important part of many of Shenandoah's projects, and today she continues Shenandoah's legacy as a matriarch devoted to teaching traditions to Shenandoah's grandson. Leah Shenandoah is also a recognized singer, designer, and international collaborator.

Shenandoah married Doug George-Kanentiio (Akwesasne Mohawk), a co-founder of the Native American Journalists Association and a published author.

Shenandoah was one of the original board members of the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge, which operates in partnership with Syracuse University.

Shenandoah died from idiopathic liver failure on November 22, 2021, in a Scottsdale, Arizona, hospital at age 64.

Discography

As contributor