In episode 83 of Red Hoop Talk, we welcome Carly Harvey, descendant of the Eastern Band Tsalagi and Tuscarora, known as DC’s Queen of the Blues! Carly brings a unique blend of Blues, Jazz, Soul, and Indigenous American styles, creating a powerful fusion she calls "Native Scat"—an improvisational style that combines traditional Jazz scat with Native vocables.

Carly Harvey, based in Washington, DC, has made significant strides in the music industry. In July 2018, she was featured in Big City Blues Magazine as one of the youngest Blues artists to watch. She is a three-time winner of the DC Blues Society Battle of the Bands and was crowned DC's Queen of the Blues in 2016 by Dr. Nick Johnson of WPFW Radio. Her talents were further recognized in 2021 when she received seven nominations and won the WAMMIE award for Best Blues Artist.

Carly believes that the Blues not only stem from the African American experience but are also deeply influenced by Indigenous minor pentatonic melodies and Stomp Dance songs. Through her master classes, Carly educates others about the diverse roots of the music she loves and takes pride in, celebrating her Afro-Indigenous heritage.

During this episode, Carly shares her personal journey as an Afro-Indigenous musician, openly discussing the pressures she faced from both the community and the music industry. She reflects on her decision to fully embrace her identity and offers insights into the history of modern music, exploring the significant contributions of Indigenous Peoples and enslaved Africans. Carly even gifts listeners with a special demonstration of “Native Scatting,” showcasing her innovative fusion of genres.

Carly credits much of her success and inspiration to deep listening to her ancestors. By following their wisdom and melodies, she brings their stories to life in her music, providing audiences with a deeper appreciation of the roots of modern music. Carly also introduces her new album, Kamama, named after her Tsalagi name, which means "Butterfly." She explains how the album seamlessly blends Native American vocables with Blues, creating a rich tapestry of sound that includes Folk, Funk, and Blues Rock, catering to a wide range of musical tastes.

For those interested in learning more about Carly's work or attending one of her master classes, visit her website at CarlyHarvey.com. You can also follow her on social media @carlyharveymusic and stream her music on Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, and other platforms.

This episode wouldn’t be possible without the Association on American Indian Affairs and the support of our community of donors and volunteers. Yakoke!

Episode 81 of "Red Hoop Talk" opens with an engaging conversation between our host, Jennifer, and Mark Williams, a citizen of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and an award-winning filmmaker. Mark shares his journey from humble beginnings in filmmaking to his work with the Native American Paranormal Society. The episode delves into the rich history of the Southeastern Native sport of stickball, exploring America’s oldest sport, its significance, and the evolving roles of women in this tradition from ancient times to the present day.

Mark’s work in documenting Indigenous sports and athletes has been extensive, offering a unique perspective on modern culture-bearers and their contributions to American sporting society. His films can be found on his YouTube platforms, Digital Feather Media and Native Boy Productions, and his documentary "Shiloh" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

As a special addition, we welcomed surprise guest Carly Kohler, of Yurok, Karuk, Hupa and European descent from On Native Ground, who joined us to discuss her film "Gift of Fear." Co-written with her father, Jack Kohler, this powerful feature film addresses critical issues such as the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) crisis, LGBTQ2S+ identities, the foster care system, and gang violence, all masterfully woven into one script. "Gift of Fear" is available on multiple platforms, including Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Xbox, Filmzie, Tubi, Vimeo, Dish, and DirecTV. Carly also introduced us to On Native Ground’s new podcast, "Floodlights," which focuses on the MMIW crisis and shares family stories. The podcast is accessible on all major platforms and via onnativeground.org.

This week’s episode of "Red Hoop Talk" brings a wealth of Native content to our audience, providing opportunities to explore and connect with Native stories and perspectives. Yakoke (thank you) for tuning in, and don’t forget to join us next month as we “hop back into the hoop”!

Landa Lakes is a Chickasaw writer, activist and artist. As drag persona Landa Lakes, in 2004, she founded drag performance groups in San Francisco including the Two-Spirit Native American drag troupe, the Brush Arbor Gurlz, and in 2005 the creative and campy House of Glitter. She is also the Westcoast Mother of the Vogue House of Lauren, International, and is the recipient of the national pageant title Jewel of the Galaxy. Landa uses art to combine contemporary ideas with Native history and traditional stories to convey the shared experiences and understanding of human nature outside the Western perspective. Her notable honors include the New York Fresh Fruit Festival Performance Award, KQED LGBT Local Hero Award, and she was publicly elected as Grand Duchess 36 of the Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco, a non-profit organization of which she has served as president. Thomas served as Co-Chair to the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAIT-S) for many years and remains on the board, she is one of the original founders of the BAAIT-S Two-Spirit Powwow now in its 14th year. The BAAIT-S Powwow was the first Two-Spirit public powwow and has continued to bring in close to 5K people annually. In 2019, she co-founded the annual Weaving Spirits Two-Spirit Performance Festival. Credits include RuPaul's Drag Race Season 1 ep 7, I've Been To Manhattan, Launch Pad and The Roof.