Canku Ota - July 31, 2004 - Alaska Native Heritage Center Presents Medicine Dream

(Anchorage, AK) - The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) proudly presents Medicine Dream in concert on August 8th at 7:30pm. With their unique blend of contemporary and Native American music, the Anchorage-based band has achieved local, national and international recognition. Weather permitting, the concert will be held outside at ANHC.

Canyon Records recording artists Medicine Dream are an Intertribal First Nations band that performs contemporary Native American music. The group has been together since 1996 and is based out of Anchorage Alaska. Their first International release, "Mawio'mi", received three nominations at the Native American Music Awards in 2000. Their music has been included on numerous compilation recordings, the most recent being Canyon Record's Voices Across the Canyon # 5, which won Best Compilation at the 2002 Native American Music Awards. They have toured extensively through out the United States, recently performing in Salem, Massachusetts for the Peabody Essex Museum's grand reopening and the annual National Park Service's Maritime Festival, performed at Canyon Record's 50th anniversary concert in Scottsdale, Arizona and traveled to Ireland in 2001 performing for the World Peace and Prayer Day ceremonies. They will be guest performers at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in September.

Medicine Dream blends traditional Native American flute, singing and drumming with rock and contemporary instrumentation that honors the past and bridges it with the future. Band members include: Buz Daney, Choctaw, Lead Traditional Vocals and Drums; John Field, Keyboards; George Newton, Inupiaq/Aleut, Guitars; Laurie Kidd, Athabascan, Bass Guitar; Steven Alvarez, Apache/Yaqui, Drums/Percussion and Vocals; Chuck Henman, Apache/Navajo, Drums.

Tomegan-Gospem is their newest recording and is a focused look into the Ktaqmkuk Mi'kmaq people of Newfoundland Canada. It features some very important historical information, many songs for the first time expressing the Elder's point of view to the world about who the Ktaqmkuk Mi'kmaq people are. Tomegan-Gospem was nominated for a Canadian JUNO Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year in 2002.

Medicine Dream has contributed greatly to the fight against drug and alcohol abuse as well as suicide prevention, by performing in a myriad of venues both in front of thousands at concert halls and intimate settings such as youth centers, schools, treatment centers and correctional facilities. Their hope is to reach youth at risk, build self-esteem, through educating people about the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs as well as influence First Nations people by promoting the pride of being an Aboriginal person. It is the band's desire to build understanding between indigenous nations and all peoples by communicating spiritual growth through living the Wellness Path.

Tickets for the August 8th concert are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available by calling 907 330-8000 or by visiting Metro Books and Music or the ANHC ticket office open daily from 9am to 6pm. Seating is limited. More information about Medicine Dream can be found at www.medicinedream.com.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is an independent, nonprofit that is committed to sharing, perpetuating and preserving the unique Alaska Native cultures, languages, traditions and values through celebration and education. It is located at 8800 Heritage Center Drive in northeast Anchorage, just off Muldoon Road North near Bartlett High School. For more information about other events and programs, visit www.alaskanative.net