Peter Buffett's Spirit

I first became aware of Spirit by seeing it on PBS.  As a person who has been struggling to determine her Native ancestry and to find her place in the world, it swept me away.  This production comes the closest to communicating what it feels like to be a modern Native American dancing in the circle.

According to the official site of Peter Buffett:

Spirit - The Seventh Fire celebrates and honors the rich culture of this Nation's first people through Native American music, dance, regalia and song. Employing universal motifs and themes, Spirit - The Seventh Fire's story is told through live concert, contemporary and traditional music, epic film including National Geographic Imax footage, spectacular Native dance and traditional heart-pumping Native drum group performances. The Omaha World-Herald has proclaimed Spirit "... poignant, sad, uplifting, thrilling and powerful."

Spirit - The Seventh Fire tells the dramatic story of one man's journey to find a balance between the culture in which he exists, driven by the "American Dream," and his roots, rich in heritage, tradition and connected to the natural world. It is a journey of self-discovery that renews within him the mystery, beauty and spirit of his ancestors and brings him to a magical place where his past meets his present.

I've found some of the dances on YouTube, in the sequence on the CD:

I hope you enjoy the beauty, grace and strength of my ancestors and relatives.