In the documentary “Rockin’ Warriors”, the viewer is introduced to the world of popular music in genres of rock and roll, reggae, jazz, and pop that are heavily influenced and performed by Native American musicians.These musicians, like the rest of their people struggle against the odds, whether it be of making it as career musicians or the oppression by the dominant cultures in their homes. While not overly visible in the United States, musicians and bands of this type have a very welcoming fanbase internationally in Europe where many people embrace the culture and traditions of the Native American tribes. Songs like “Indian Cars” by Keith Secola become cult hits overseas in Europe and Asia as Native American musicians have a greater opportunity to perform and succeed.

When these Native American acts perform, they are not just Native Americans who are playing popular music, their tradition and culture permeate their performances as well. The acts try and bring a “native show” to their audiences. They use traditional dance to help create a sense of showmanship and entertain modern audiences. Just like with the tribal music, this new kind of popular music also centers around the drum beat as the “hearbeat of the music”. Most believe the “beauty is in its simplicity”.

There are many popular Native American musicians who have no only contributed to native music but to popular music as well. Buffy Saint-Marie, a popular Native American musician, is one of the leaders of Native music. She also does activist work in conjunction with her role as an Oscar-winning international musician, educator, and writer. She remains very rooted in her culture, loving the format of song because of its directness and ability to keep people alive. Tom Bee helped bring native music mainstream with an all-native band. He faced a lot of hate and acceptance has been a struggle ever since as his band and he cannot get access to studios in order to record, and on tour, police would stop them routinely because of their ethnicity.

These artists left their reservations to say things that needed to be said about the world, the cultures within it, and particularly the Native culture as a whole. With more technological advancements where artists can begin to publish their own music without the assistance of major record labels, their music will spread and reach a much wider audience in the hope that acceptance will be achieved.