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The
White Eagle Singers |
Arlie
Neskahi |
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The White Eagle Singers began in 1974, with the
original members being the 7 sons of Allan and Mary Neskahi of Cortez,
Colorado. Arlie, second from the youngest, then 17, was honored
by his brothers to be the lead singer and has carried that position for
the last 25 years. During that time this group has traveled throughout
North America sharing their music and learning the Powwow Ways.
They have won numerous singing championships, both in the US and Canada,
composed hundreds of songs, Since the original group of Neskahi brothers there have been 5 generations of singers, and today most of these White Eagles are still singing with other groups or they are leaders of their own, for example, Jay Begaye and his Cathedral Lakes Singers. Arlie wishes them all well wherever they may be, and remember, once a White Eagle, always a White Eagle! It has become a proud singing history. Sharing the Powwow Spirit... Many other groups have taken inspiration from their singing style and songmaking endeavors. Groups like Blacklodge, Blackstone, and Eyabay to name a few. Kenny ScabbyRobe of BlackLodge approached Arlie around 1985 and asked if his young boys could sing his songs. Terry Paskemin formed a close friendship in the early days of his Blackstone Singers with Jay Begaye and traded many songs and even collaborated on compositions. And Arlie was honored to learn from Terry St. John of the Eyabay Singers a couple of years ago how Terry was inspired by the creativity and originality of the White Eagle songs. Terry is known today as a great lead singer and one of the finest composers in North America. |