SHAWN MICHAEL PERRY has taken the multi-hyphenate to new heights. This singer, songwriter, actor, educator and activist was born in Southern California into indigenous heritage (his father is a Native American of Salish ancestry; his mother, Panamanian of Mayan ancestry), Shawn has embraced his culture, past and present with an eye to the future. Shawn first came to the public's attention through his acting skills. He has appeared in films as diverse as Last of the Mohicans and Hidalgo and television productions such as My Indian Summer. His stage credits include the highly-acclaimed production of Ghost Dance at Los Angeles's Actors Gang Studio. Shawn has been a proud member of SAG and AFTA Shawn's musical ambitions led him to the studio with a collection of songs highlighting the human experience as seen through indigenous eyes. The strength of his music and beauty of his words was enhanced by producer John Avila, the talented bassist/producer of Oingo Boingo. Final polishing was added by the skillful mastering techniques of Ron McMaster (Capitol Records). The results were marketed as the limited edition "RUN2U". Tracks "Freedom" and "Libertad" received terrific response and airplay. Due to their popularity, these songs are featured on the new full-length CD. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ Indigenous in the News ~ Perceiving a growing need for musical opportunities for K-8 students, and in response to our communities economy effect on education and the music products industry, Samick Musical Instruments, Guitars in the Classroom (GITC), All that Culture, along with First Nations Music Project, (FNMP) are pleased to announce a collaborative effort bringing music education to classroom educators and schools in rural and tribal reservation settings. First Nations Music Project, based on successful reservation pilot programs funded in part by The NAMM Foundation, will introduce guitar and song-based learning to tribal communities in the coming 12 / 24 months, as funding and resources become available. Spokesperson and Samick endorsing artist, Shawn Michael Perry is eager to help GITC raise awareness and funding for this work through his organization All That Culture (ATC). Last year, ATC teamed up with Samick Music Corporation and Greg Bennett design to provide much needed musical equipment for a school in Baraspamba, Ecuador. This year, Perry, Samick and GITC & First Nations Music Project intend to reach further into The Spirit of “No Voice, No Talent and No Cultures Unheard.”