Tribal Elder releases song dedicated to world peace

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

Tribal Elder Jan Michael Looking Wolf (Reibach) and the Native Rose Band have released a new folk-rock anthem, “We Rise.”

"A huge many thanks and appreciation to Anne Naito-Campbell, Oregon Rises Above Hate and Fear No Music for providing the inspiration for ‘We Rise.’ In my heart, I too will never lose hope for our children to live in a better world with more love, more peace and without fear,” he said.

Native Rose Band is a musical ensemble led by Looking Wolf, a multiple award-winning artist. According to a press release from the band, the song is “a beautiful folk-rock anthem (that) carries a powerful message of unity, hope, and peace…Native Rose is more than just a musical group. (It) brings together world-class musicians who share a common purpose: Promoting world peace, cultural diversity and unity. Their music blends contemporary folk songs, Indigenous chants, Native American flutes, acoustic guitars and world percussion to create an uplifting and soul-stirring experience.”

Native Rose will perform “We Rise,” live for the first time at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, June 29 at the World Beat Festival in Salem’s Riverfront Park Amphitheater.

For those who can’t attend the live performance, a free lyric video is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/oyTikR7UJVY.

The song is also available on all digital and streaming platforms.

Looking Wolf has produced 30 albums and won more than 70 awards, including the Global Music Awards Lifetime Achievement honor, induction into the One World Music Radio Hall of Fame and Native American Music Awards Artist of the Year.  

In addition to his passion for music, Looking Wolf instructs classes on cultural diversity and Native American flute at Oregon State University.

"With all the conflict going on in the country and world today, sometimes it can feel almost hopeless at times,” he said. “(There is) so much unnecessary hate, division and negativity out there. But if we stand back and look, there is so much love and kindness surrounding us every day. I am so proud of our Tribe and just honored to just be part of it with you. Our community inspires my heart every day. Our ancestors persevered and taught us that, together, we can rise above and shine bright."