Speak/Sing Native™ Artist Archive
Tom Bee (1941-2024)
Diné (Navajo)
Adopted at birth, Tom Bee was born and raised in the Navajo reservation border town of Gallup, New Mexico.
Best known as founder and featured artist with the popular 1970s band XIT, Bee's composition (We've Got) Blue Skies was recorded by Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 on their worldwide hit album Maybe Tomorrow. This success led Tom to an artist, writer, and producer contract with Motown Records.
Professional Information
Traditional, rock, folk, country
Entrepreneur, record producer, musician, singer, songwriter, bandleader, evangelist
Vocals
Video
- Tom Bee, Jim Boyd,
XIT: Without Reservation - Tom Bee, Jim Boyd,
Venue: Live at Mystic Lake Casino - XIT 30 year reunion concert.
Format: Live
Duration: 56:47
- Tom Bee, Jim Boyd
Reservation of Education - Tom Bee, Jim Boyd
Venue:
Format: Audio
Duration: 6:59
From the album Color Me Red
Tribal Information
Diné (Navajo)
also known as "Navajo"
"The Navajo Nation extends into the states of Utah , Arizona and New Mexico , covering over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty. Diné Bikéyah, or Navajoland, is larger than 10 of the 50 states in America.
"Visitors from around the world are intrigued and mystified when they hear the Navajo language – so, too, were the enemy during World War II. Unknown to many, the Navajo language was used to create a secret code to battle the Japanese. Navajo men were selected to create codes and serve on the front line to overcome and deceive those on the other side of the battlefield. Today, these men are recognized as the famous Navajo Code Talkers, who exemplify the unequaled bravery and patriotism of the Navajo people.
The Navajo Nation flag
"The Navajo Nation Flag, designed by Jay R. Degroat, a Navajo from Mariano Lake, New Mexico, was selected from 140 entries, and was officially adopted by the Navajo Nation Council on May 21, 1968 by Resolution CMY-55-68.
"On a tan background, the outline of the present Nation is shown in copper color with the original 1868 Treaty Reservation in Dark Brown. At the cardinal points in the tan field are the four sacred mountains. A rainbow symbolizing Navajo sovereignty arches over the Nation and the sacred mountains. In the center of the Nation, a circular symbol depicts the sun above two green stalks of corn, which surrounds three animals representing the Navajo livestock economy, and a traditional hogan and modern home.
"Between the hogan and the house is an oil derrick symbolizing the resource potential of the Tribe, and above this are representations of the wild fauna of the Nation. At the top near the sun, the modern sawmill symbolizes the progress and industry characteristic of the Navajo Nation's economic development." (source Tribal website)