Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

This statement is made by Derek Mathews, on behalf of the Gathering of Nations.

There have been many of you who have questions and concerns about the awarding of the first Grammy for Native American Music. We hope that this statement will address those questions and concerns. The sound recording for the 1999 Gathering of Nations Powwow was nominated and finally was accepted to receive this award. The award was felt with mixed emotions from the Gathering of Nations. The joyous celebration was tainted by the very fact, as seen on TV around the world, that the Drum Groups and the founders and producers who made this possible, were not invited to attend the show and to be in place to receive this award on behalf of the Drum Groups.

We have tried to keep our feelings and the facts about this situation to ourselves, trying not to shed any negative light on the great achievement of so many Drum Groups representing all Native people in the U.S. and Canada that won this award. Once we became aware of the words of a very good and honorable man, Mr. Herman Begay, we knew it was time for our voices to be heard and bring out the truth regarding this situation.

The Gathering of Nations, who represents the Drum Groups on this recording, were DENIED this opportunity by Mr. Tom Bee of the S.O.A.R. Corporation. Tom Bee submitted this recording for nomination without FIRST contacting or officially obtaining the permission to do this. After the recording was nominated, Tom Bee and the S.O.A.R. Corporation AGAIN failed to communicate with the Gathering of Nations. In a letter dated January 11, 2001, we faxed an immediate statement to Tom Bee of S.O.A.R. emphasizing the need for our attendance at the Grammy's to respectfully honor and acknowledge the Drum Groups. We pleaded and we were denied this opportunity. You may read read the entire fax to Tom Bee.

Two days later on January 13, 2001, another letter was written to Tom Bee, Douglas Spotted Eagle, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S.) for media release, describing the entire situation and why we should be there to represent the Drum Groups. We also explained how Tom Bee had just told the Gathering of Nations that THIS POW WOW MUSIC LACKED INTEREST AND MARKETABILITY. We also felt that it was a conflict of interest since Tom Bee was on the voting panel and an album on his label was nominated. The Recording Academy told us it was up to Tom Bee to make the decision. And again, we were denied by him. You may read this entire letter.

Due to the way this was handled, and questionable royalty returns ultimately affecting the Drum Groups, the Gathering of Nations has ceased to allow Tom Bee and the S.O.A.R. Corporation to record the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow. Furthermore, the Gathering of Nations does not give the SOAR Corporation authority to release a sound recording for the 2000 (last year's) Gathering of Nations Pow Wow. The full letter to Tom Bee that served as official documentation of the denial of permission to release any additional sound recordings of the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow can be read and a related press release.

We do not dispute the contribution that Tom Bee has made to Native music. It is solely the way in which he accepted the Grammy Award in this manner. None of these statements are intended to be slanderous or attacking to anyone. We are merely trying to help all those who have called, written, e-mailed, and posted understand the situation.

The original purpose for creating these recordings was to preserve the traditional music and feature the level of excellence of singing and drumming that comes together at the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow. Even though Tom Bee told us that we don't know anything about the music business, we have decided to take control and start our own record label. By doing this, the Drum Groups selected will finally have the opportunity to earn income based on the sales of the album that they are featured on.

For over 18 years, the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow has always been about seeing our friends, providing a place for all people to come together, and promoting Native culture to as many people as possible and in the most positive light. As it is said throughout Indian Country, "Without the drum and the singers, there is no powwow." This is and always has been the belief of the Gathering of Nations. With this in mind, we drove all the way to Los Angeles to meet with the Recording Academy to express our feelings. This journey was very productive.

We are pleased to announce that the folks from the Grammy's will be attending the Powwow this year. We have arranged on Friday April 27, 2001, for recognition for Mr. Herman Begay and a special presentation of Grammy certificates by the Recording Academy to: The Tribe, Wild Horse, Sage Point, Seekaskootch, Southern Cree, White Clay, Stoney Park, The Boyz, Fly'n Eagle, Bear Springs, High Noon, Maskquaki Nation, MGM, Painted Horse, Northern Cree, Trail Mix, and Sage Point. There will also be a special reception (by invitation only) in association with the Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.) on Saturday April 28, 2001 for the Drum Groups and others involved in the production and recording of the Grammy Winning album.

The Gathering of Nations has also provided the Recording Academy a complimentary booth at the 2001 Powwow to meet Native musicians. Drum Groups and other artists will be able to learn how to become members of N.A.R.A.S. thus strengthening the Native American presence and voice.

In a recent article in the Albuquerque Journal, Tom Bee says that 'Instead of complaining, Native Americans should just be happy that they now have a Grammy category'. Please address any additional comments to Tom Bee and Douglas Spotted Eagle directly. For us it has and always will be about producing the best possible powwow that we can, for you. What we are happy about is the Drum Groups received the highest honor possible. For this, we celebrate ALL Native people and Native musicians around the world.

We encourage all of you to support the Gathering of Nations, the Grammy Winning Drum Groups, and ALL Native musicians. We want you to know you comments and your voice have been heard by us. We would ask that we not let ANYTHING or ANYONE take away the significance of this history making achievement. Please join us in celebrating ALL Native musicians worldwide. It is a great time for Native music. We have the power, the door is open, and it's time for us to walk through.

With much respect, Derek Mathews on behalf of the Gathering of Nations.