HOW SEVEN RABBITS CAME TO BE: Jan Michael Looking Wolf became inspired from the efforts of the Native American Music Awards to help those in need through music. Specifically, NAMA's outreach to children at the Ronald McDonald House and on poverty stricken reservations. While playing his flute one day, Jan Michael was struck with a vision of a special CD that would help children with cancer in their journey. He gathered his family and friends around and shared about his idea of a children's story CD entitled, "Seven Rabbits" that would include stories from seven bunnies, each a color of a direction. Overcome with emotion, Jan Michael contacted producer Keith Sommers and immediately worked in the studio on the project. The result was incredible, a story CD that shares hope, healing, and inspiration based on both traditional native lore and contemporary settings with Jan Michael's flute music. Mostly funding the project himself, Jan Michael worked with national organizations such as The Children's Cancer Association (CCA), The Native Peoples Circle of Hope, and most recently The Cancer Navigation Program, to give the CDs to kids. THOUSANDS of copies of Seven Rabbits have now been gifted to children across the country. Jan was recognized with a "hero award" by the CCA in 2007 for this project – see attached. Some children listen to it while undergoing chemotherapy, others have memorized the stories, and some have written letters and sent drawings to Jan Michael. This project is a reflection to the power of Native American Music and the human heart. |
