'Sheep in my blood'

As James Peshlakai climbed into the truck on his way to record his debut album, his friend Tony Duncan shared a piece of important information:

"He said, 'You stink like sheep'," Peshlakai said, laughing as he explained how he had come from herding sheep and was kind of "tricked" into recording "Songs of the Navajo" by his daughters and Duncan, his Apache friend.

That's because Peshlakai - a nationally known educator, orator, healer and entertainer - is proud to say he has "sheep in my blood."

The 64-year-old was hard at work baling hay a few weeks ago when Duncan called him with the news that his first album had been nominated for two Nammy awards.

"I couldn't really hear him, he kept saying 'Internet, Internet!'" Peshlakai said. "When I got home, I found out I had been nominated."

Peshlakai's self-published CD is up for best album of the year and best spoken-word recording in the 11th annual Native American Music Association awards competition.

Winners will be announced Oct. 3 and are being determined now through the votes of NAMA members and online voting that is open to the public at www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com.

With a self-depreciating sense of humor, Peshlakai is proud of his achievements, but won't let any of it go to his head.

"I'm not really pushing it. I don't take it to swap meets," he said. "It didn't really faze me until people kept slapping me on the back and sending me e-mails."

When he thought about it, it dawned on him how special this honor was.

"Some people spend their whole life trying to become a recording artist and get nominated for awards, and I just came walking out of the desert, herding sheep, and I got nominated," said Peshlakai, who is Kinlichíi'nii (Red House Clan), born for Tsénjíkiní (Cliff Dweller Clan).

"People ask me when his next CD is coming out, but I say I think this is it," said his daughter, Jamescita Peshlakai. "He put all of himself into this one. He's not a rock star - well, my ma thinks he is!"

Peshlakai has been married to his wife, Mae, since 1966.

If he went to the awards show he might get a big head and start boasting and trashing hotel rooms like a real rock star, Peshlakai joked.

The truth is, Peshlakai won't be attending the awards show planned at the ritzy Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in upstate New York.

"I'd have to sell half of my sheep to get there," he said.

But he's just kidding. The real reason he won't be in the audience at the Nammys says more about James Peshlakai than a hundred awards ever could.

"It's my grandson's first elk hunt," Peshlakai said proudly. "I can't miss that. His number got drawn and he wants me there, and I had already promised him."

Awards and recognition for achievements have their place, but for Peshlakai nothing matters more than family.

He remembers his youth, using his horse as a desk as he studied his homework while herding sheep in Cameron with his sister Eleanor. He said he has been fortunate to have many different people play a role in his life.

Among his influences were his grandmother Gasheoma, Marjorie "Grandma" Thomas, Sally Presto and Alice Sekastewa.

He was also inspired by the Argentine-born revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, and acknowledges the support he has gotten over the years from Navajos like Jay Begaye, Radmilla Cody, Ed Natay and James Bilagody.

"I'm glad I grew up in the time that I did," Peshlakai said. "I have met some really great people."

The recording is important to him, because he knows some of his people's oral traditions will be preserved for future generations. He worries that Native people are slowly losing bits and pieces of their culture.

In fact, that's how his daughters talked him into making a recording. Peshlakai said he thought he was doing a cassette recording for his grandkids, so they could sing along and learn the songs of his childhood.

"This CD isn't for me. Any money it makes - I may spend a few dollars - but it's for my children and grandchildren," he said.

Over the years Peshlakai has served his people in many ways, including as president of Cameron Chapter and as secretary of the district council for Tó Nanees Dizí, Coalmine Canyon, Cameron and Bodaway/Gap chapters.

He also worked as an advocate for the people in land issues involving the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Babbitt Ranch.

Peshlakai comes from a long line of Navajo leaders. His father, uncles and grandfathers were all medicine men and his grandfathers were respected tribal leaders who met with President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901.

"Not bad for someone who should still be doing time in New Mexico," he whispered.

No, Peshlakai isn't an escaped felon. His name was used for a character in his friend Tony Hillerman's book, "The Wailing Wind."

"Dad said he wanted to be the love interest," Jamescita explained.

"Instead he made me the bad guy!" Peshlakai chuckled.

While Peshlakai declines to tout his new CD, Jamescita is proud of her father and lets you know it.

"He has always had teachings to give and a beautiful voice," she said. "My mother would even urge you to take him home - in CD form that is!"

Information: jamespeshlakai@yahoo.com, or www.nammys.com.

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