Wade Fernandez : Wicwiwen Apis Mahwaew (Black Wolf)
Menominee Nation
Email: Wade Fernandez, info@wadefernandez.com
Website: Wade Fernandez
DESCRIPTION
With indigenous roots that extend over 12,000 years to the land that is now called Wisconsin, Wade Fernandez, Wiciwen Apis-Mahwaew has been sharing his musical art and respectfully representing the Menominee culture on stages and classrooms worldwide for over 20 years. As an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation, he lives on the reservation where he and his family gather and hunt the traditional foods in the forests of their ancestors and strive to live in a respectful, honorable, and sustainable way. Wade is an international award winning musician/recording artist/songwriter/producer who performs with voice, guitar, Native American flute, and hand drum. As a certified teacher with extensive educational experience in classroom, on the stage, and parenting (proud father of 5), Wade brings a warm personality and sense of humor that draws in the students/audience and gets them actively involved.
PERFORMANCES /PROGRAMS /WORKSHOPS /RESIDENCIES
Academic Standards: Music, Health, Native Studies, Culture, Social Studies. Please note: Wade has extensive experience working with all age groups from kindergarten through college and beyond and all programs can be altered to fit any age group except for learning how to play the native flute which requires the student to be old enough to physically play the flute (at least 5th grade).
Residency
Finding Your Voice Through the Native Flute (5th grade and up): The Native American Flute is an instrument that helps one to get in touch with their feelings and express themselves. This is a workshop where students learn how to play and improvise on the Native American Flute. No previous musical experience is necessary. Many times this is a 3-5 day residency that culminates at the end of the week with students performing a concert with Wade for the school and community so the students may apply and share their newfound talents and build self-esteem. This residency can also be condensed as an in-service to help teachers think outside of the box and unleash their creative selves.
Academic Standards: Music
Finding Your Voice (45 to 90 minutes) classroom or whole school: A Motivational Talk
In this day and age when it seems so many people can’t decide on a career or direction, this program provides inspiration and awareness to recognize and honor your gift of life and many talents by developing them and sharing them with others on your pathway to a successful and healthy future. Wade is alcohol and drug free and stresses the importance of a clean and healthy lifestyle as one of the key ingredients to achieving ones dreams. Many times this is accompanied by a short musical performance.
Academic Standards: Health, Music, Careers
Learning How To Get Along By Learning About Others (K-5)
This workshop breaks down stereotypes by teaching about Menominee and other Native American cultures demonstrating how honoring and learning about yourself and others creates understanding which can lead to strong friendships. The class learns and participates in a round dance at the end to represent the coming together of all people on Mother Earth.
Academic Standards: History, Health, MusicMusic Workshop
As an award winning professional touring musician who produced 7 CDs of his own, this workshop is geared specifically for your music class. Topics can include: Native American music from the traditional to the contemporary, music business, how to deal with performance anxiety, music technology, guitar playing, songwriting, careers in music, etc.
Academic Standards: MusicMenominee Culture, History, and Social Issues, A Multimedia Presentation (7-12)
This is a multimedia presentation about Menominee culture, history, and social issues from the past to the present. Images of the Menominee people from the late 1800s to the present and videos will be used to create discussion with the class.
Academic Standards: Social StudiesPerformances
Performances can come in many ways depending on upon need, desire, and budget. There are SEED moneys available to supplement cost.
Please inquire directly with artist.
Sample of types of performances:
Solo
With dancer(s) in native regalia
With a fulll band
With a full band and dancers
With a band, dancers, drum group, and a multimedia show
APPROVED FEE
$200 Performances (more than 50 students at one time), additional $75 for back-to-back performance (SEED Eligible Rate)
$400 Full Day, 5 – 45 minute workshops (SEED Eligible Rate)
$1,500 Full Week, 5 Full Days (SEED Eligible Rate)
$ 500 Teacher In-Service Program (SEED Eligible Rate)
Single workshops or presentation are also available, but not eligible for SEED funding. Please contact artist for fees.
ADDITIONAL COSTS (Not eligible for SEED funding)
Mileage .50 per mile, round trip. Possible lodging expense when artist lives more than 60 miles from program site.
Native Flute workshops and residencies may have instrument costs. Please inquire for details.
EXPERIENCE
Medal of Honor, from the Menominee Tribe
Won the national Community Spirit Award, from First Peoples Funds
Won Male Artist of the Year, from the Native American Music Awards
BFA Music Education Degree with Teacher’s Certification
Storyteller/Writer of the Year Award, Wordcraft Warriors
PERFORMANCES
Woodstock ’94, The Reebok Human Rights Awards (2002 Winter Olympics), Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star, Chicago’s World Music Festival, Native American Music Awards, Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards, and Germany’s Tollwood Festival.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY
“One of the best speakers of this type. Students will like him, trust him, and listen to him." -- David Rand, teacher & G/T Coordinator for the Menominee Indian High School
“Our children surely enjoyed it and learned a lot!” -- Elaine Gehring principal of Richard’s School Whitefish Bay,
WI
“the motivational comments you provided to the students...encouraged every single student!” -- Mrs. Cardinal, Elementary Teacher of the Year (WI)
“On behalf of the Milwaukee Choral Artists, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the gifts you shared at last evening's concert. ….what beauty and respect you brought to all of us fortunate to have been in your presence. We were honored and blessed, and forever changed.” --Sharon A. Hansen, Founder and Music Director The Milwaukee Choral Artists
“World class.. Phenomenal… hard to forget after one listen…. a unique style as both a musician and songwriter …blessed with talent that can’t be learned, and with a gracious and inspiring soul that can’t be tainted by the pitfalls of the music industry.” -- Indian Country Today
“This was the best day of school!” -- Student