Sheldon Sundown

Sheldon Sundown.... I am of the Seneca Nation. I have been singing and traveling throughout North America, attending Iroquois socials and powwows for over 30 years... Many a moment, we gathered together in homes, singing and practicing our songs and sharing and teaching our young. These jam sessions have given my son Frazer and I the honor of working together and creating the gift of these songs.
Annually, I sang and drummed at the Schemitzun competition, and I appreciate greatly, that this connecticut powwow exposed smoke dance to the world.
Thank you for your support and I hope the cd brings good spirits and good feelings to all!

Frazer Phillips/ Sundown... I am Oneida Nation of the Turtle Clan. My influence of song came from traveling with my father to ceremony, powwow and socials. Through him, I learned the appreciation of singing; that singing was a gift from the creator; and to carry myself with respect in all walks of life.
My mothers influence brought both Ojibway (Chippewa from Ontario) and ways of the Oneida. With her, at young age, I was exposed to raindance, sweatlodge and the round dance powwow style of singing and dancing. It is quite an honor to have made this cd with my father!

We would like to send shout outs and thank yous to family and friends that have supported us through our years of singing. Special thanks to: Robert & Joywind of Tribal Spirit Music, Gary Meeches Sr. (cover artist), Gustavo Chavez (cover design), Eddy & Kim (recording engineers), Jordan Whiteye, Talon Whiteye, Hodenode Sundown, Donna Phillips, Bruce Smoke and the Smoke Trail Singers, and all of our immediate and extended families.

Back cover....


“Hand Drum Session”: a sit down, bringing songs to life with the gift the creator blessed us with, an expression of over 30 years of singing on the ‘powwow trail’. These songs are original, round dance, smoke dance, and Iroquois social songs composed by Sheldon and Frazer Sundown.
An elder once told me! “there is no such thing called a new song only a reborn one, as our songs come from mother earth, and were and still are in the winds. Sometimes a singer will catch the song flying by and finish it, by singing it.” Sheldon

ong Titles and credits:

Missing My Mom (round dance)
Midnight Special (smoke dance)
Sharp Stick Ladies Style (ladies dance)
Holding You: (round dance)
My Lil Darlyn: (round dance)
Rayna & Amelia’s Song (round dance)
Hard Times: (Powwow, Seneca Language, asking creator for strength)
Cissy: (social song:fish dance/smoke dance)
Kyle’s Jammin: (smoke dance) in memory of Kyle Dowdy Sr.
The Hunt: Sheldon Sundown & the late Kenny Merrick Sr. (smoke dance)
Calling Jake: (social song: chicken dance)
Calling Chandler: (social song: chicken dance)
On the Road Missing Home: (social song:corn dance)
The Jump!: (ladies dance)
This Songs For You/Rock n Roll: (ladies dance)
Missing Ohi’yo: (ladies dance)
Fish Jam: (ladies dance)
OAHIIO: (ladies dance-Seneca language: The Good Path)


Produced by: Tribal Spirit Music (tribalspiritmusic.com & tribalspirit.ca) & sheldonsundown.com