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Calina Lawrence 

Born: Port Madison Indian Reservation, Washington

Gender or Pronouns: Female

Tribe(s): Suquamish

Instrument(s): Vocalist

Role(s): Musician, Songwriter

Years active: Not available       

Credited with: Not available

Honors & Awards: Not available

Associated with: Not available

Discography: Epicenter (2018)

Genre(s): Traditional Suquamish, bluegrass, hip hop, spoken word

Biography

“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)

Performances

Calina Lawrence – ʔəshəliʔ ti txʷəlšucid (Lushootseed is Alive)
Format: Official, Date: 2019, Duration: 3:38

Calina Lawrence featuring Desirae Harp – Don’t Count Me Out
Format: Official, Duration: 4:08

Calina Lawrence featuring Lil Deya – Generations
Format: Official, Duration: 4:47

Calina Lawrence – Songbird
Format: Official, Duration: 4:35

Calina Lawrence and Antwan Banks Williams – The Way
Format: Official, Date: 2020, Duration: 3:33

Calina Lawrence with Sylvie Karina and Francesca Rivera – Gaia
Format: Official, Date: 2019, Duration: 3:52

Calina Lawrence – Alcatraz
Format: Audio, Date: 2017, Duration: 2:59

Junior Skootsie James with Calina Lawrence –  Paddle On
Format: Live, Date: 2020, Duration: 3:37

Tribal Information

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

“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

Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution (the Supremacy Clause)

“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”

References