Wisconsin Life host Angela Fitzgerald heads to the Oneida Nation to explore the rhythm and sounds at the “Music from our Culture” camp. The camp, hosted by the Oneida Nation Arts Program and Community Education Center, gives children the opportunity to learn about tribal and hymnal music heard in their community. Fitzgerald talks with “Music from our Culture” Artistic Director Niko Lee Kal^na Daniels and Board Member Yuntle’kala·ù McLester to learn more about the importance of the camp to the Oneida community.
Fitzgerald also introduces us to extraordinary people from around the state including Mark Fischer, a Germantown artist fusing his heritage into his art. Fischer learned to weld from his father, and was instilled with pride in his Oneida Nation ancestry by his mother. He combines the two into his Native American copper art sculptures. Each statue tells a story, fulfilling Mark’s role as educator and artist in the Turtle Clan.
We then visit the City of Durand which is the home to Mark Healey, the bass player of Joey Molland’s Badfinger. Healy, a Madison native, grew up playing in the capital city before eventually moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. It was during his time in Los Angeles that Healy got the opportunity to audition for the famous band Badfinger. Healy has been playing with the band for the past 30 years.
Next, we meet Tim DeByl, coach and owner of the Madison Radicals Ultimate Frisbee team. Ultimate Frisbee has risen from a mellow pastime of the 1970’s to a legitimate professional sport. Thanks to DeByl, Madison has become the home of one of Ultimate Frisbee’s most successful teams.
Finally we travel to Milwaukee to meet Mary Backus and her unique women’s music group, the Ukuladies. Backus, a retired music teacher, formed a different kind of music group for women who love to play the ukulele. The group frequently performs at assisted living centers and other events around Milwaukee and even performed at the 2016 Summerfest in Milwaukee.
