Artist Rona Yellow Robe Bio: I am a Cree/ African American Woman. I was born and raised in Havre, Montana, 15 miles north of the Rocky Boy Reservation, where I am an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe.

My Mother, Lucille Elizabeth Chapican-Yellow Robe, was a full-blood Cree from Piapot Reserve, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was born to my grandparents Marcus Chapican and Mary Elizabeth Buffalo-Chapican. My great-grandmother, (mother of Mary), was Elizabeth Yellow Blanket.

My father is Joseph Ronald Yellow Robe; Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Indian, born and raised in Havre, Montana. He was born to my grandparents, Leo Yellow Robe and Daisy Brockman.

My passions are my Native American flute and singing. I grew up hearing the Native American flute; it was just a part of where I came from. But, at first, I didn’t really hear it. In 2001, my good friend, Georgia Anderson, gave me an R. Carlos Nakia CD, and when I heard his music, it made me STOP. I was in the moment of it all. I loved the sound and I loved how it made me feel. I knew at that moment that I wanted to play the Native American flute.

I also knew that I wanted to give that same feeling to others. In December, 2002, my father and I purchased my first Native American flute. Along the way, I had heard that some American Indian tribes, because of their traditions, only allowed their men to play this flute. I became concerned about not being accepted as an American Indian woman playing this flute. Fortunately, I didn’t give that thought too much energy. I have been welcomed with open arms by many Native Tribes and Nations.

CD- Voice of the Trees Rona…had the crowd spellbound. She played a variety of flutes, as would be expected but I was particularly struck by her virtuosity on the higher pitched flutes. Some of the flutes were so tiny that she could hardly fit her fingers over the holes. Her songs really made me want to go out and buy a couple of high pitched “tiny flutes” but I know that I would never sound as sweet as Rona. She received a rousing standing ovation. Bruce Witham http://www.ronayellowrobe.com