COCHISE OKCHA-A!!!
COCHISE IS ALIVE!!!
COCHISE ANDERSON
THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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INTERVIEWS/ ARTICLES/ REVIEWS
Watch Cochise's Video Interview by the Bush Foundation Fellowship. Cochise received the prestigous BAF award in 2002.
Read Cochise's article "Native Artist Star(t)s In The City" -aka- "That Sounds Like Me" Featured in Talking Stick Anniversary Issue 10.1 Jan/Feb/Mar 2007 http://www.amerinda.org/newsletter/10-1/index.html
Native Artist Dares Us to Remember, Giving Strength May 2006 Article on Cochise: CLICK HERE to view or download the article only (.pdf file) Giving Strength Magazine May 2006: CLICK HERE to view or download the magazine (.pdf file)
Photo by Tom Roster
Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce's Artist of the Month February 2006 Click here to read the article - http://www.iicoc.com/Artist/February06
Featured in the April 2005 issue of The Circle: Native American News and Art
Native Artist Interview with Cochise Anderson by Annette Joy Whitner M. Cochise Anderson is a man with a vision. He is a skilled artist and craftsman, an actor, a poet, a musician, a playwright, a storyteller, and then some. He blends his many talents into a seemingly effortless display of pure artistic energy. His mission: the liberation of ignorance. Originally from Oklahoma, Cochise (Chickasaw/Choctaw) spent time in Los Angeles, Portland, and the Big Apple, where he became the first Native American student to graduate from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He's appeared on The Cosby Show, Homicide: Life on the Streets, and the feature film Daughters of the Dust. He's also performed with the Native vocal group Pura Fe, now known as Ulali. Currently, he is promoting and performing cuts from his debut CD entitled The Kemosabe Therapy, which combines traditional songs, poems, and spoken word with flutes, modern music, and traditional Native singers to create something that is totally unique in its own right. Below is a short interview with the busy artist and performer. AJW: What did you want to be when growing up? Cochise: A professional basketball player or pro surfer-dude. And like every American kid, I wanted to be a rock star. AJW: What led you to your current path? Cochise: I started out as an actor, then I used my training base for storytelling. I then developed curricula for non-Native elementary and secondary schools to teach them the truth about our people. AJW: What do you hope to accomplish through your art? Cochise: To touch people through words, music and emotion. Within that context, to tell the stories of our shadow culture. To reveal the struggles and beauty of Native America. AJW: Would it be appropriate to call you a renaissance man? Cochise: I prefer just artist. Both words imply being adept in any artistic endeavor. It's the creative spirit that is constant, always moving, and can appear in many forms. I've been fortunate to recognize my ability to adapt to the situation at hand. AJW: Do you feel like you have something to prove? Cochise: The liberation of ignorance. My mission is to create an army of Native American actors, directors, producers, and screenwriters. That is my impetus for teaching creative writing, storytelling, and performance when working with young Native audiences. By telling their stories through a creative medium the next generation will be well-equipped to embody the legacy of our ancestors and help to liberate the mainstream audience from their ignorance. AJW: What was your favorite gig and why? Cochise: Originating the title role in William Yellowrobes play The Independence of Eddie Rose. It was primarily a Native American cast, at the 1990 Goodwill Arts Festival in Seattle. I also have to say being a storyteller for the opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Indians in D.C. AJW: Whom do you admire and why? Cochise: Raven, Iktomi, Nanaboozhoo and Old Man Coyote, because they can be wise and lewd at the same time. And they're built to last. AJW: What most inspires you? Cochise: The teachings and support of my grandmother. Her life's work of keeping the Chickasaw language alive by writing The Chickasaw Analytical Dictionary and her patience while teaching me the language have both humbled and inspired me. I honor her on the first track of the CD, by featuring her along with other members of my family, singing in our language. What has recently inspired me is the meaning of my family name, Ok chinn 'ubi, which literally means Kills and the Only One Left Around. I asked my grandmother if it could be reinterpreted as Last Man Standing. But then we came up with the translation that truly speaks of my life and mission: Stays Alive. AJW: What are your thoughts about the Twin Cities Native community? Cochise: I'm very proud to be part of such a visible community. And like any newcomer, I was tested to see if my intentions were honorable. For the most part, I think I passed. I had the opportunity to work with Native schools and programs throughout Minnesota. I was honored to be the commencement speaker at Bugonaygayshig School in Leech Lake in 1997. I am truly indebted to all the people in the community who have opened their hearts to me. Migwech, Pidamiya, and Yakoke. The Circle: News from a Native American Perspective
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