Every word we speak; every song we sing; the songs which we subject ourselves to, whether in the womb, or as an elder, these songs affect us in very powerful and meaning[ful] ways. They can actually help to destroy us, or they can help to heal us.

Ms. Shenandoah was considered the matriarch of Indigenous music.

—New York Times

She was not only exceptionally beautiful but gracious, remarkably talented and blessed with natural charisma; she was also given to marvelous laughter.

—Doug George‐Kanentiio, Akwesasne Mohawk journalist/historian and Joanne’s husband

So begins Joanne Shenandoah's Music Mavens biography. Glowing and heartfelt tributes such as these circulated in the media after Joanne passed away on November 22, 2021. In our chapter, we pay homage to the legendary musician, drawing on a treasured interview conducted with her in June 2021...

(Read on to learn about Joanne's art and activism.)