Spotlight: Pura Fé
Pura Fé (Tuscarora/Taino) is an Indigenous activist, singer-songwriter, and storyteller known for her soulful vocals and blending of musical genres. As a musician, she has performed globally at festivals, benefits, and in classrooms. Her activism focuses on combating Native cultural erasure, restoring traditions, building community, fighting corporate land takeovers, and addressing social injustices. A founding member of the acclaimed Native Women’s a cappella trio Ulali, she has bridged Native music to the mainstream. Her solo career includes six studio albums, with notable awards such as the Grand Prix du Disque and a Native American Music Award. Pura Fé and Ulali also contributed to the Sundance-winning documentary RUMBLE: The Indians That Rocked The World. Currently residing in Canada, she is writing a film for Rezolution Pictures, collaborating with First Nations dance and theater groups, and recording a new album.
Can you please share a bit about your journey as a musician and how you became involved with Silkroad?
I grew up in a family with many women singers. For eight generations, the women in our maternal line have been singers, with seven of those generations hailing from Eastern North Carolina. Remarkably, four of those generations had seven singing sisters in a row. Our tradition was harmonizing, and the music evolved with each generation and era. The blend of Southeastern Native song and dance, Black String Band, Blues, Gospel, and Celtic tunes intrigued me the most.
I have spent many years exploring my ancestral music, identifying the Indigenous sounds and rhythms that contribute to American music such as Blues and Jazz. I grew up listening to my mother and her sisters sing opera. My mother also sang with the Duke Ellington Orchestra for his Sacred Concert Series and with the John Motley Choir, where she and my aunts were lead singers. My grandmother sang songs to me that she performed with her sisters, like "Motherless Children" and "Cee Cee Rider." She told me they won the County Fair singing contests every year, known as "The Singing Sanders Girls."
Born and raised in New York City, I attended a professional children's school for the arts called Lincoln Square Academy, funding my education through acting in Broadway shows and truck and bus tours.
In my early teens, I began attending Pow Wows and culture classes at the American Indian Community House, becoming involved in the urban Indian scene. Later, I sang jingles, demos, and backup vocals for many well-known artists. I sang for the Mercer Ellington Orchestra and met James McBride, with whom I wrote and recorded my first solo album. Eventually, I formed a Native group called "Ulali." My grandmother influenced us, sharing that they sang songs with rattles and foot stomping, and we brought back that sound to the Carolinas. I moved there, worked with youth and elders, and learned to play the lap slide guitar to accompany my songs.
One of my first concerts was opening for Neil Young. Through the Music Maker Relief Foundation, I met Rhiannon Giddens. We recorded together, and it felt like a "gene pool alert," as if we were back in the 1800s. We discovered not only a similar mix but also some common cousins. Rhiannon knew my music from back in the day, and though we have touched base occasionally, she has grown immensely and continues to uplift us all.
I am honored to be part of the Silkroad Ensemble. Rhiannon brought me in, and it has been a rich experience to work with so many master musicians. Every concert and rehearsal heals me and challenges me to improve. It's the perfect platform to address important issues, and with all of us representing various parts of the world, we create something whole and beautiful together. We inspire love, peace, balance, respect, creativity, ancestral roots, connection, and fun. I never feel judged, only supported!
How do you stay inspired and creative, especially during challenging times or periods of uncertainty?
My husband and I have been raising our five grandchildren since 2015. They were babies and toddlers when we took them in. We live a very rural bush life in the Boreal Forest, in a Native Village. During the lockdown, we homeschooled them, which brought us closer together.
As you can imagine, the children bring so much light into our lives. My husband often remarks on this, and it keeps us constantly creating. We spend our time making music, crafting, painting, cooking, and picking medicines in the bush. These activities keep us energized and connected.
We hope to move to an artist community soon to build more outlets and opportunities for creativity and growth.
What is one of your favorite memories while working with Silkroad?
I have many wonderful experiences, but I always love the grand finale with the whole group playing together. It's very exciting, and getting to dance with Rhiannon is always a highlight. I am especially blown away by the suona player from China, Yazhi Guo—what an amazing musician!
One unforgettable moment was hearing them all play my song "Mahk Jchi." When they asked how I felt, I said, "Honored!" They have no idea just how much it means to me to be among them. They make everything sound amazing. I am incredibly grateful!
What is one piece of advice you would give to a budding artist?
Be courageous. Speak up. Be present and connect. Carve your own road. In these times, we can create what we want, record it, and market it ourselves. We need healing and encouragement to support those who need us. Whatever your gift is, work it! Collaborate with others of like mind. Don't waste any time—get helpers and build teams. I need to follow this advice myself... LOL!
How do you see music as a tool for social change and connection, especially in today's world?
Music is the one thing that cuts through and is so needed. People starve for music and its energy because it heals and helps make sense of all the chaos. It can offer solutions, bring peace. It can make anything. It's important to make music with a good heart—uplifting music that helps people remember what is important and our purpose as human beings. We need to get on the same page and make a difference for our future, our youth, and the natural world. Every issue can be laid out in song.
What sort of projects or activities are you working on outside of Silkroad?
I’m working on a three-part TV series called "Reclaim My Skin" out of Canada. It focuses on the takedown and resurgence of Native people and culture, told by Native women from different territories throughout North America.
I am also finishing my Tribal Canoe Song Project album. Additionally, I am conducting workshops on making Taino regalia, weaving, beading, and sewing both in Puerto Rico and in the States.