VINCENT SCHILLING: "I may be out here in Virginia Beach, and you know I'm running around -- I've got my radio show, I’m online answering emails. I’ve got my cell phone ringing and sending text messages and doing all these things.

"And every once in while I get crazed and I will stop, put everything down, go out to my porch, light some sage, which is a way of clearing away energy, and embrace my native heritage through my own personal ceremony. And [I] look up to my ancestors and creator and say, 'OK, I’m getting a little crazy here, bring me back down and center me.'"

(“Face the Music” – Joseph FireCrow)

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Joseph FireCrow was named artist of the year at the Native American Music Awards earlier this month. Mr. FireCrow is a member of the Northern Cheyenne Nation of Montana.

The ceremony took place at Niagara Falls in New York. It brought together native artists from throughout the Americas.

(MUSIC: “Don’t Forget About Me”/Michael Bucher)

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Michael Bucher, an Eastern Band Cherokee, began playing professionally four years ago. He won the award for best folk recording for his album "Believe."

Mr. Bucher says the launch of the Native American Music Awards twelve years ago has had a huge effect in the community, especially on the young.

MICHAEL BUCHER: "The impact that we have now that the Native American Music Awards has given our youth something to look up to and aspire to I think also."