Kevin Locke (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kevin Locke
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| Tȟokéya Inážiŋ | |
Locke in 2016, photo entitled First to Awaken
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Tȟokéya Inážiŋ
June 23, 1954 Standing Rock Indian Reservation, South Dakota, U.S.
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| Died | September 30, 2022 (aged 68) Hill City, South Dakota, U.S.
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| Occupation | Musician, storyteller, educator |
Kevin Edward Locke (Lakota name: Tȟokéya Inážiŋ, meaning "The First to Arise") was a famous Native American artist. He was born on June 23, 1954, and passed away on September 30, 2022. Kevin was part of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Lakota people) and also had Anishinaabe heritage.
He was very well-known for playing the Native American flute. Kevin was also a traditional storyteller and a cultural ambassador. This means he shared his culture with people around the world. He was also a recording artist and an educator. Kevin Locke was most famous for his special hoop dance, which he called "The Hoop of Life."
Contents
Kevin Locke's Life Story
Kevin Locke was born on June 23, 1954. His birthplace was the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He learned many important things from his family. His mother, Patricia Locke, and other elders taught him about his native Sioux culture. They shared its values, traditions, and language.
Kevin came from a special family. His great-great-grandfather was a Dakota leader named Little Crow. His great-grandmother, Mniyáta Ožáŋžaŋ Wiŋ, was a medicine woman. His mother, Patricia Locke, worked hard to support Native American rights.
Kevin went to high school at the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico. Later, he earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. This was from the University of North Dakota. He also got a master's degree in educational administration. He studied at the University of South Dakota.
As a young adult, Kevin taught himself to speak Lakota. This was the language of his ancestors. He also learned the hoop dance from Arlo Good Bear. This dance was almost forgotten, but Kevin helped bring it back.
Like his mother, Kevin was famous for helping to keep the Lakota language and culture alive. In 2012, he shared his life's goal. He said he wanted to show that all people have similar feelings and goals. He hoped his music and dance would help people see that everyone is connected. Kevin Locke died at age 68 after an asthma attack.
Kevin Locke's Work and Performances
Starting in 1978, Kevin traveled to over 90 countries. He performed his unique art for many years. His shows usually included playing the flute and singing Lakota songs. Some songs were also in English. He also performed the Sioux hoop dance. For this dance, he used 28 wooden hoops.
Kevin saw himself as someone who preserved old traditions. He said he based his performances on old songs. He wanted to show younger people what was there before. He hoped they would then create new music.
From 1980, Kevin served as a cultural ambassador for the United States. He attended important global meetings. This included the 1992 Earth Summit in Brazil. He also performed at the 1996 United Nations Habitat II Conference in Turkey. He recorded 12 albums of music starting in 1982. Kevin was also an active member of the Baháʼí Faith.
In 1990, he received a National Heritage Fellowship. This is a very high award for traditional artists. In 2009, he won the $100,000 Bush Foundation Enduring Vision Award.
In April 2006, he performed with Joanne Shenandoah. This was at a photography exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey. Kevin Locke was often called an ambassador of Native American culture. He shared his culture with people in the United States and worldwide.
He also worked to help the Lakota language. He was on the board of the Lakota Language Consortium. This group helps keep the Lakota language alive. He was also on the advisory board of the World Flute Society.
Awards and Honors
Kevin Locke received many awards for his work:
- 1988 Bush Foundation Fellowship
- 1990 National Heritage Fellowship
- 1999 Native American Music Awards, Best Traditional Recording (for The First Flute)
- 2009 Native American Music Awards, Album of the Year (for Earth Gift)
- 2009 Independent Music Awards Vox Pop World Traditional Album Winner (for First Lightning)
- 2009 Bush Foundation Enduring Vision Award
- 2020 International Academy for Human Sciences and Culture Peace Prize
Recordings
From 1982, Kevin Locke recorded 13 albums of music and stories. Some of them include:
- Dream Catcher as Tokeya Inajin (1993)
- Keepers of the Dream (1995)
- Love Songs of the Lakota (1995)
- The Flood and Other Lakota Stories (1996)
- The Flash in the Mirror (1996)
- Open Circle (1996)
- The First Flute (1999) — This album won an award for Best Traditional Recording.
- Midnight Strong Heart (2003)
Publications
Kevin Locke also wrote or helped write some books:
- Arising, Wilmette, IL : Baha'i Publishing, 2018
- Lakota Hoop Dancer, with Suzanne Haldane and Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (1999).
- Real Dakota! : About Dakota by Dakotans! : The life, people & history of the Dakotas by the people who know and love it! by Kevin Locke, Tempe, AZ : Blue Bird Pub., 1988.
Films
Kevin Locke was featured in films, including:
- Songkeepers (1999, 48 min.). This film featured five famous traditional flute artists. They talked about their instruments and songs. They also shared how the flute and its music are important in their tribes. Kevin Locke was one of these artists.
