Radmilla Cody

Last updated

Radmilla A. Cody
Radmilla cody.jpeg
Radmilla Cody sings The Star-Spangled Banner in Navajo at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida (2002)
Born1975
Nationality Navajo 1
(Tłʼááshchíʼí nilǫ́ǫ
Naakaii Łizhiní yáshchíín)
CitizenshipNavajo Nation and
United States
Known for Miss Navajo Nation,
Traditional singer,
Anti-domestic violence activist
Title46th Miss Navajo Nation
Term1997–1998
PredecessorJosephine Ann Tracy [1]
SuccessorSevaleah Begay Tsosie
Website www.radmillacody.com
Notes
1. As a matrilineal society, the Navajo Nation does not consider one's paternal lineage for questions of traditional membership. [2]

Radmilla A. Cody born 1975 is a Navajo model, singer, and anti-domestic violence activist who was the 46th Miss Navajo from 1997 to 1998. [3]

Contents

She was the first biracial Miss Navajo and thus so far the only Miss Navajo partially of African-American heritage, her nomination sparked considerable debate over Navajo identity. [3] After her tenure, allegations of drug-trafficking and involvement in money-laundering, resulting in her subsequent arrest and imprisonment, led to verbal racial attacks as well as support.

Early life

Cody was born into the Tłʼááshchíʼí clan of the Navajo Nation. Her father is African-American. She was raised in the rural areas of the Navajo Nation by her maternal grandmother, speaking Navajo. In an interview with Vermont Public Radio, Cody recalled an instance of her grandmother getting upset with her when she spoke English, which, according to her grandmother, was nothing but "walla walla walla." [4] Daily chores included the herding of sheep and occasional weaving. Cody later recalled that this time spent in relative solitude gave her time to practice her early singing skills with the "first audience [being] the sheep", and the surrounding environment gave her an appreciation of the sounds of nature. Since her grandmother had converted to Christianity, another influence was Christian choirs visiting the local church. [5]

Career

Radmilla Cody signing autographs at the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise in Window Rock, Arizona. Radmilla Cody Signing Autographs.jpg
Radmilla Cody signing autographs at the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise in Window Rock, Arizona.

In 1997, Cody participated in and won the Miss Navajo contest, an event for which extensive knowledge of Navajo traditions and fluency in the Navajo language are required, [6] rather than the ideals of beauty promoted by Western beauty pageants. After her tenure, she began a career as recording artist.

Cody's songs are a mix of traditional Navajo music and songs incorporating lyrics written by her uncle, Herman Cody. [5] Her first album, entitled Within the Four Directions, which includes the Navajo version of The Star-Spangled Banner (" Dah Naatʼaʼí Sǫʼ bił Sinil "), appeared in 2000. She won the 2002 Native American Music Award for Best Female Artist for her album Seed of Life, [7] and has since released two more collections, Spirit of a Woman and Precious Friends, in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Her latest album is Shi Keyeh or Songs for the People released in 2011. This album was nominated for Best Regional Roots Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Cody was the first Native American singer nominated in this new category which succeeded to great controversy a standalone category for Native American music and Latin Jazz two-year prior to this award ceremony.

In 2002, Cody sang the Navajo version of The Star-Spangled Banner at the Kennedy Space Center as John Herrington became the first enrolled member of a Native American nation to fly into space. [4] [7]

Controversy

In 2003, Cody pleaded guilty to "misprison [sic] of a felony" [7] for wiring $1,000 to her boyfriend who was involved in the trafficking of marijuana in Las Vegas, Nevada, and she admitted to knowing that the money would be used for such illegal activities; she served 21 months in jail. Subsequently, Cody became subjected to public racial attacks, commenting on her African American descent; others voiced support and understanding for her situation due to her boyfriend's being abusive and oppressive. [7] She has since become an activist against domestic violence.

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Star-Spangled Banner</span> National anthem of the United States

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Outer Baltimore Harbor in the Patapsco River during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Feliciano</span> Puerto Rican musician

José Montserrate Feliciano García is a Puerto Rican musician, singer and composer. He recorded many international hits, including his rendition of the Doors' "Light My Fire" and his self-penned Christmas song "Feliz Navidad". Music genres he explores consist of fusion of many styles, such as Latin, blues, jazz, soul and rock music, created primarily with the help of his signature acoustic guitar sound.

<i>Janet Jacksons Rhythm Nation 1814</i> 1989 studio album by Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson, released on September 19, 1989, by A&M Records. Although label executives wanted material similar to her previous album, Control (1986), Jackson insisted on creating a concept album addressing social issues. Collaborating with songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, she drew inspiration from various tragedies reported through news media, exploring racism, poverty, and substance abuse, in addition to themes of romance. Although its primary concept of a sociopolitical utopia was met with mixed reactions, its composition received critical acclaim. Jackson came to be considered a role model for youth because of her socially conscious lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffy Sainte-Marie</span> Canadian musician

Buffy Sainte-Marie, is an Indigenous Canadian-American singer-songwriter, musician, composer, visual artist, educator, pacifist, and social activist. While working in these areas, her work has focused on issues facing Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Her singing and writing repertoire also includes subjects of love, war, religion, and mysticism. She has won recognition, awards and honours for her music as well as her work in education and social activism. Among her most popular songs are "Universal Soldier", "Cod'ine", "Until It's Time for You to Go", "Take My Hand for a While", "Now That the Buffalo's Gone", and her versions of Mickey Newbury's "Mister Can't You See" and Joni Mitchell's "The Circle Game". Her songs have been recorded by many artists including Donovan, Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warnes, Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, and Glen Campbell.

The Grammy Award for Best Native American Music Album was an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the Native American music genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

Navajo music is music made by Navajos, mostly hailing from the Four Corners region of the Southwestern United States and the territory of the Navajo Nation. While it traditionally takes the shape of ceremonial chants and echoes themes found in Diné Bahaneʼ, contemporary Navajo music includes a wide range of genres, ranging from country music to rock and rap, performed in both English and Navajo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Dodge Wauneka</span> Navajo Nation activist (1910–1997)

Annie Dodge Wauneka was an influential member of the Navajo Nation as member of the Navajo Nation Council. As a member and three term head of the council's Health and Welfare Committee, she worked to improve the health and education of the Navajo. Wauneka is widely known for her countless efforts to improve health on the Navajo Nation, focusing mostly on the eradication of tuberculosis within her nation. She also authored a dictionary, in which translated English medical terms into the Navajo language. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 by Lyndon B. Johnson as well as the Indian Council Fire Achievement Award and the Navajo Medal of Honor. She also received an honorary doctorate in Humanities from the University of New Mexico. In 2000, Wauneka was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SHeDAISY</span> American country music group

SHeDAISY was an American country music vocal group from Magna, Utah. The group consisted of sisters Kristyn Robyn Osborn, Kelsi Marie Osborn, and Kassidy Lorraine Osborn. The group's name is derived from the word shideezhí, a Navajo term meaning "my little sister".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Native American Music Awards</span>

The Native American Music Awards are an awards program presented annually by Elbel Productions, Inc., The Native American Music Awards Inc., and The Native American Music Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in 1998, which recognizes outstanding musical achievement in styles associated with Native Americans, predominantly in the United States and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navajo</span> Native American people of the United States

The Navajo are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natalie Grant</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1971)

Natalie Diane Grant is an American singer and songwriter of contemporary Christian music. She received the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year four consecutive years, and again in 2012. She has also been nominated for eight Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amie Comeaux</span> American singer-songwriter

Amie Noelle Comeaux was an American country music singer who gained fame in her teens. Her debut album, Moving Out, was released on Polydor Records in 1994, and it produced the single "Who's She to You", a No. 64 on the Billboard country charts. Two posthumous albums, A Very Special Angel and Memories Left Behind, were issued in 1998 and 2007, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Earth (band)</span>

Red Earth is an American rock band from Albuquerque, New Mexico which has released three independent albums.

Alice Peacock is an American folk singer and has recorded five independent albums and an album released by Aware/Columbia Records (2002). A native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, she lived in Chicago, Illinois where she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at U.S. Cellular Field during the 2005 playoff run of the Chicago White Sox and on April 4, 2006, at their World Series ring ceremony. She now calls Cincinnati, Ohio home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patricia Vonne</span> American singer

Patricia Vonne is an American singer and actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kari Jobe</span> American contemporary Christian music artist

Kari Brooke Jobe is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. Since her first album in 2009, she has received two Grammy Award nominations and ten Dove Award nominations, six of which she won.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassadee Pope</span> American singer

Cassadee Blake Pope is an American pop and country singer. She was the lead vocalist and songwriter of the pop rock band Hey Monday, with whom she released one studio album and two EPs. Pope embarked on a solo career in early 2012 and released the EP Cassadee Pope in May 2012. She took part in the third season of The Voice and became the first female winner in December 2012. Her debut solo country album, Frame by Frame, was released in 2013 to a top 10 Billboard 200 charting. It debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums, with 43,000 copies sold in its first week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Louise Defender Wilson</span> Native American storyteller and educator

Mary Louise Defender Wilson, also known by her Dakotah name Wagmuhawin, is a storyteller, traditionalist, historian, scholar and educator of the Dakotah/Hidatsa people and a former director working in health care organizations. Her cultural work has been recognized with a National Heritage Fellowship in 1999 and a United States Artists fellowship in 2015, among many other honors.

Melissa Cody is a Navajo textile artist from No Water Mesa, Arizona, United States. Her Germantown Revival style weavings are known for their bold colors and intricate three dimensional patterns. Cody maintains aspects of traditional Navajo tapestries, but also adds her own elements into her work. These elements range from personal tributes to pop culture references.

TahNibaa Naataanii is a Native American traditional artist and a member of the Navajo Tribe. She has espoused a belief that creativity should be allowed to be the source of art and that artists should not have to confine themselves to a particular style. Naataanii has also stated that weaving art and tradition should be passed along to present and future generations, with her art techniques and mediums being the traditional form, and artistic style dependent on the artist.

References

  1. Miss Navajo Council / Naabeehó bichʼeekęʼ. Archived September 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Accessed 15 July 2010.
  2. Witherspoon, Gary. Navajo Kinship and Marriage. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, IL:1975. p.41.
  3. 1 2 March 7, Leo W. Banks (March 7, 2011). "An Unusual Miss Navajo". hcn.org.
  4. 1 2 Vermont Public Radio interview (transcript) vpr.net. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  5. 1 2 Radmilla Cody: Two Cultures, One Voice. NPR. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  6. About us. Archived October 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Miss Navajo Council / Naabeehó bichʼeekęʼ. Retrieved 17 July 2010
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Cody's Blues. imdiversity.com. Retrieved 15 July 2010