Voices of My Ancestors (Original Music Download)

Voices of My Ancestors was originally released in 2004 as a 4 song e.p. None of the tracks survived technical changes and mastering. So it was rebuilt, completely after a long exploration along the path that my ancestors traveled across Kansas. This album honors the tribes that are my heritage. The Odawa (Ottawa) Crosses, named at Sault Ste. Marie Mission. The journey of relocation, the secrets they and they kept in order to survive and their assimilation journey as mixed blood into white society, was revealed to me and mother by my grandmother in the late early 90's. It honors my great grandmother Me saw zee (phonetic), who has been leading my life through symbol and vision since I was young. It honors the land and prairie of Kansas through their journeys to Cottonwood Falls, Council Grove, Emporia and of course, Ottawa, founded by my then grandfather's tribe. It honors Hattie, Missouri.... where they set up homeland next to the Jack's Fork River. It honors my grandmother Angie, who told my mother and I stories of how they were never allowed to speak of being Native outside the home out of fear of death and her grand mother being shot in the eye by children who wanted to "get an Indian". It honors generations of strength, survival, adventure, undying courage and it speaks their history that is now ready to be told in public and hidden no more. It is their love song to me.. and my love song to them. - Jessica Wen'de Waters, 2014