Grammy award winner Joanne Shenandoah, a descendant of Oneida Nation leader Chief Skenandoah, presents “From Our Roots,” a musical performance with special guests Diane Shenandoah and Devesh Chandra on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m., in the Fillius Events Barn. The performance is free and open to the public.
Joanne Shenandoah is the great-great-great-great granddaughter of “Chief Skenandoah,” one of the leaders of the Oneida Nation in the late 18th century who befriended Rev. Samuel Kirkland and provided the connection through which the Hamilton-Oneida Academy was founded almost 225 years ago. In 1812, that school was chartered as Hamilton College.
Shenandoah is the winner of 14 Native American Music awards, has performed for such noted leaders as the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, and in such prestigious venues as St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, The White House, Carnegie Hall, and at five presidential inaugurations.
The event is sponsored by Shenandoah Kirkland Initiative, Religious Studies Department, Chaplaincy, and the Victor Johnson Fund.
