L-R: Leah Bowden, Gustavo Aguilar, Michael Wimberly, Andrew Drury, Lesley Mok

CHAD HAMILL/čnaq’ymi is a traditional singer in his Spokane tribal community.

For 30 years, he has also received training in Hindustani vocal music under the guidance of his guru, Pandit Rajeev Taranath. As a composer, čnaq’ymi uses the language of his Spokane ancestors to reconnect the listener to Mother Earth during an ecological crisis rooted in environmental violence and neglect. Grounded in his relationship with Spirit, he sings for the living and the dead.