KINGSTON, R.I. — November 8, 2006 — Renowned musicians Buffy Sainte-Marie and Bill Miller will speak and perform at the University of Rhode Island on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Edwards Auditorium, Kingston campus.

Their visit is part of the URI Honors Colloquium, Songs of Social Justice: The Rhetoric of Music, a semester-long series that explores music as a means of expression, persuasion, and mobilization. It is free and open to the public.

The musicians, known for their talent and for their commitment to advocating for Native Americans, will explore songs of and by Native Americans.

Sainte-Marie has been a voice for the native peoples of the world since the 1960’s. She has traveled Europe, Canada, Australia and Asia, receiving honors, medals and awards for her music and activism. Some of her more famous songs include “Until It’s Time for You to Go,” which was recorded by both Elvis and Cher, and “Universal Soldier,” which became an anthem of the peace movement.


She has released 17 albums, starred in three television specials and spent five years on TV’s Sesame Street. Her first album placed her on Billboard magazine’s charts as “Best New Artist.” Sainte-Marie earned her doctorate in fine arts and has taught at several colleges.

Miller has long been a voice for the voiceless, a link between two great and clashing civilizations. The singer/songwriter is a Mohican Indian from northern Wisconsin and is one of the most admired figures in Native American music.

During the past three years, Miller has created two CDs, Spirit Rain and Cedar Dream Songs, which won him a Grammy Award for Best Native American Recording.

Visit www.uri.edu/hc for the colloquium schedule and directions. For more information, contact the URI Honors Center at 401-874-2303 or debg@uri.edu.

Major sponsors for the series are The Providence Journal, the URI Division of University Advancement, the URI Honors Program, the URI Office of the President and the URI Office of the Provost.