Speak/Sing Native™ Artist Archive
Calina Lawrence
Suquamish Tribe
“Of the Suquamish Nation, Calina Lawrence was born and raised within her ancestral culture at a time during the reawakening of the teachings of the canoe and the Coast Salish way of life in the Pacific Northwest.
Her vocal journey began at a young age when she was first introduced to the songs of the canoe, the land, and the Lushootseed language. While lending her voice to the preservation of Suquamish traditions, she also grew to love many contemporary genres such as bluegrass, soul, hip hop and Spoken Word Poetry which would eventually lead her on her journey to respectfully expressing a fusion of it all.
“Many of the people who raised her emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the social and environmental injustices that have impacted the quality of lives on tribal reservations and within urban Native communities. She embraced the awareness of inter-generational trauma combined equally with the examples of her people’s generosity and resiliency, so liberation work now shapes the lens in which the young artist sees the world. At age 23, Lawrence graduated with Honors from the University of San Francisco attaining her BA in Performing Arts & Social Justice; a Music concentration.
“Her most significant single to-date released in August of 2019 entitled “ʔəshəliʔ ti txʷəlšucid” one translation being “Lushootseed Is Alive” It is her first self-produced/hip-hop inspired/Salish fusion and in her words “has been my largest accomplishment to-date, to have access to the language of my ancestors and have the ability to incorporate what I can into my everyday life, including my career.” The song is written and performed entirely in the Lushootseed Language. It features several members of her Suquamish community while the Music Video was brought to life by Kanion Productions, a crew completely comprised of Indigenous creatives. Lawrence continues traveling across nations as a full-time musician while based out of Coast Salish territory; her home, Suquamish.” (Source: Official Website)
Professional Information
Traditional Suquamish, bluegrass, hip hop, spoken word
Musician, Songwriter
Video
-
Generations -
Venue:
Format: Audio
Duration: 4:47
- Calina Lawrence
ʔəshəliʔ ti txʷəlšucid (Lushootseed is Alive) - Calina Lawrence
Venue:
Format: Official
Duration: 3:38
- Calina Lawrence
Alcatraz - Calina Lawrence
Venue: Alcatraz
Format: Audio
Duration: 2:59
Tribal Information
Suquamish Tribe
Suquamish Tribe (People of the Clear Salt Water)
“The Suquamish and their ancestors have inhabited the Puget Sound area for thousands of years. Before European contact, the region was one of the most populated centers north of what is now Mexico City. Unlike the larger tribes of British Columbia, Alaska, the Plains and the Southwest, the Indians of the Puget Sound lived in relatively small, autonomous villages. Many tribes were affiliated through intermarriage, political agreement, trade, material culture and language.
“The abundance of natural resources and efficient technology for harvesting and preserving food enabled them to develop a rich cultural and spiritual life. The yearly cycle of activities was divided between the harvesting of food from temporary camps in warm months, and communal life in substantial winter houses for social and religious observances and protection against cold weather.” – Tribal website
- Suquamish tribal website
- People of the Clear Salt Water
- Geography/map of Suquamish Territory
- Tribal History, Culture, Language
- Treaty of Point Elliot 1855
“The traditional language of the Suquamish people is Lushootseed, a member of the Coast Salish language group spoken by First Peoples from throughout the Northwest, including the areas surrounding the Puget Sound in Washington State and the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia.” – Tribal website