Culture

Reibach wins Best Music Video at Oct. 7 Native American Music Awards

10.10.2011 Ron Karten People, Tribal employees, Entertainment

For the fourth year in a row, Tribal member Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach brought home a major Native American Music Award trophy.

In 2008, he was honored as Flutist of the Year.

In 2009, he was named Artist of the Year.

Last year, he won Record of the Year.

And on Friday, Oct. 7, Reibach accepted the NAMMY for Best Music Video for "Live As One."

The footage for the "Live As One" video was actually shot in 2010 at the Native American Music Awards ceremony held at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Reibach wrote an arrangement for his song about attaining world peace and 25 Native America artists gathered in a studio to record it.

After the session, the Native American Music Awards decided to create a music video from the footage and use the song to combat teen suicide.

On the song, Reibach sings lead vocals, plays Native flute and directs a chorus of Native singers.

"Our indigenous ancestors have it right," Reibach said while accepting the NAMMY for "Live As One." "Regardless of the color of our skin, shape of our eyes or texture of our hair … regardless of where we are from, what language we speak, or personal beliefs, we are all equal. Yes, we are all related and if we put our hearts together, we can live as one!"

Reibach, who works for the Tribe as Lands Department Manager, also was nominated for two other NAMMYs this year - Best Compilation and Best Male Artist. Those awards went to "The Color of Hope" and Gary Small, respectively.

Tribal member  and guitarist Steve Hudson, who presented the Best Music Video award to Reibach, also was nominated this year for Best Country Recording for "The Old Road," but that award went to C.C. Murdock for "Native Heart."

To watch the award-winning "Live As One" video, visit the Web site www.lookingwolf.com.