Joanne Shenandoah Cause of Death: SCOTTSDALE, AZ., – Joanne Shenandoah, a Native American award-winning singer and songwriter, has passed away. She was 63 years old. Sumner posted on her Twitter page that Shenandoah died on Monday night in Scottsdale, Arizona, after complications of abdominal bleeding.
Shenandoah received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Syracuse University in 2002. She grew up on the Oneida Indian Nation before becoming a world-renowned singer, peace activist, and human rights activist. She was a Lecturer, Educator, and a Grammy Award-Winning Native American Music Artist for her contribution to the 2006 album “Sacred Ground: A Tribute to Mother Earth.”
Sumner posted on Twitter today, “Joanne Shenandoah 63, celebrated Native American singer dies. The Native American Music Awards & Association posted on its website that Shenandoah, described as “Native America’s musical matriarch,” died Mon. night in Scottsdale, AZ, after complications of abdominal bleeding.”
Shenandoah has performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Vatican, among other places. At the Syracuse Area Music Awards, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame. “The most honored and celebrated music matriarch, Joanne Shenandoah has journeyed on. It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that the we share in the loss of our beloved friend, Lifetime Achievement honoree, and 14 time Award winner, Joanne Shenandoah #JoanneShenandaoh,” NativeMusicAssoc #NativeMusicAwards #Nativemusic said in a statement.
Tributes are flooding in for the Grammy Award Winning Native American Music Artist on social media, praising her life’s work.
“This is very sad news. Rest in peace, Joanne Shenandoah. My heart and prayers are with her family. She brought peace, taught us lessons, showed love in every song she wrote and sang. It’s painful to lose a person with such great spirit.”
“The world lost a great, educator, lecturer and Grammy award-winning artist when Joanne Shenandoah passed away yesterday. A citizen of the Oneida Indian Nation, Wolf Clan, Shenandoah’s career included performances for the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela.”
“I met Joanne Shenandoah of the Oneida tribe when I was a reporter in Syracuse, NY. She had published “Skywoman: Legends of the Iroquois,” which my boys loved. She was also launching her music career. I had hoped to see her this weekend at the Door County Auditorium. R.I.P.”
“CNY has lost a talented musician and steadfast advocate. I last interviewed Joanne Shenandoah in April for a
@WRVO series. She shared the story of her life’s journey with me from her recording studio in Sherrill. Wishing her family and friends peace.”
“The most honored and celebrated music matriarch, Joanne Shenandoah has journeyed on. It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that the we share in the loss of our beloved friend, Lifetime Achievement honoree, and 14 time Award winner, Joanne Shenandoah”
Joanne Shenandoah obituary and funeral arrangements will be released by her family.