Native Artist Opportunity Fund — April Grant Recipient Announced
James Pakootas (center front) with band D’DAT; image credit: Maurice Johnson.
Congratulations, James Pakootas!
Advancing Indigenous Performance (AIP) at WAA is pleased to announce this month’s Native Artist Opportunity Fund grant recipient, James Pakootas.
James "Just Jamez" Pakootas is an influential, multi-award-winning hip-hop artist and producer who cultivates change in the world through the power of words.
A member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, James was born and raised on The Colville Indian Reservation in Washington State. He is a 2019 Native American Music Awards Winner and a 2020 Advancing Indigenous Performance fellow.
In 2021, James joined forces with Dinè Jazz Rap fusion band D'DAT as they began to navigate a new era of storytelling throughout their various bodies of work. Combining the inspirational and heartfelt lyrics of James Pakootas with the hard-driving instrumental fire of award-winning trumpet player Delbert Anderson, the deep funk of international touring artist and drummer Nicholas Lucero, and the intellectually explorative and expanding groove of Mike McCluhan on bass, D’DAT has carved its own path with high desert-forged influences and world-class musicianship.
James’s grant will cover the purchase of a high quality vocal microphone, to support self-produced shows and performances in smaller venues with limited equipment.
Congratulations, James!
The AIP Native Artist Opportunity Fund provides subsidies of up to $750 to assist US-based Indigenous performing artists. It supports the creation of promotional and showcasing assets, networking travel, virtual presentation skills-building, and other development activities. The program launched in March 2022 and has a rolling monthly deadline.