Jim Boyd was not only an iconic, legendary musician, he was also a gifted leader who led his people during the last years of his life.
After a lifetime of musical achievement and political accomplishments, Colville Tribal Chairman Jim Boyd has walked on. Seven Native American Music Awards, including one for Lifetime Achievement, crowned a career that spanned concerts, movie soundtracks like 'Smoke Signals" and numerous CDs. Native America mourns the sudden passing of this civic leader, who passed away at the age of 60. Prior to his passing, Boyd shared his insights into his love of family, service to his community and his creative songs. Condolences to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.
Q: You've enjoyed a tremendous musical career! How did you begin singing and performing?
A: I've been fortunate in that my music career has lasted a very long time, and honestly I've tried many times to leave the business throughout the years. When I was younger, I would try to find other careers mainly because it's what "society" tells you to do. "Get a real job." In fact, my first college degree was in Commercial Music & Jazz Studies, and my second was a Small Business Management degree to basically get out of the music business, but it got me more focused to promote and develop goals, objectives, strategies, and manage myself with some direction.
Q: Seven Native American Music Awards seems like a fantastic feat! I'm delighted to have won just one, so I really admire you! How do you describe your songs?
A: I would describe my music as mostly Native American Contemporary, or sometimes as I describe it as Raw Rez-N-Roll. I love so many genres and have always had a very hard time sticking to just one. I've utilized various forms of folk, rock, blues, country, jazz, traditional, old R&B, and everything in between. My recordings are so mixed with genres at times that it's hard to categorize, but no matter what genre, it still keeps a rez story, topic, or music to it.
Q: Most of us know you for your music, but what else fills your days?
A: I am now a tribal leader for the Colville Confederated Tribes. This is very challenging as well as fulfilling. With the economy being what it is today, especially on Indian reservations, there is so much less hope, and people really are suffering. There are extremely high unemployment rates and it is a challenge finding the resources necessary for positive change, but you work at it everyday. Our people are rightfully frustrated, and our fourteen member tribal council has a tough responsibility to find a path that will impact our people and land in a positive manner. Trying to work responsibly isn't always the most popular position for a tribal leader.
Q:How do you want folks to see you as you work in this leadership position?
A: That's a tough question. I mentioned that I've had bouts with low self-esteem throughout my life, so in my mind, more times than not I think they are a little more negative as a first impression, but I've actually conditioned myself to not be concerned with "what I think others think." It's just not healthy.
Dr. Dawn Karima is a NAMMY winning recording artist, who hosts A Conversation with Dawn Karima, a Native American-themed radio program that airs on TalktainmentRadio.com and its affiliates. She is also an Indigenous Artist Activist Award Winner and a Global Music Award Winner.
