Tchiya Amet: Native 

Born August 5, 1961 and raised on Chicago's South Side, Tchiya Amet studied physics & Jazz piano at Oberlin College and graduate level Astronomy at UT-Austin. Reggae music opened the door for her to Roots, Culture and the Natural Life. Tchiya Amet has performed with Irie Jane, One Nation, The Presidents, Dogon Sirius, Karison, World Tribe, Kayumanggi & Issac Haile Selassie. Her other activities include home schooling her two lovely daughters, festival production, yoga, organic gardening, "soccer mom", cultural astronomy, Natural Life Organic Food Co-operative, Children's Theater Musical Director.

Her ancestral heritage resembles a patchwork quilt: She is First Nations including Black Cherokee and Blackfoot. Her way of living reflects the Wisdom of the Ancient Ones from the Four Directions.

Tchiya has played in Irie Jane, One Nation, the Presidents, World Tribe, Karison, Dogon Sirius, Isaac Haile Selassie and Joanna Marie. Y2K: Tchiya Amet & the Light House Band toured recently with the Spirit of Bob Marley Festival Tour. 2001 they traveled to both coasts: Spring 2001 to St. Petersburg, FL for the Seminole Tribe "Discover Native America Pow Wow". Summer found them out West at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Roots Mountain Fest in Tonasket, WA and Reggae on the River. Other festivals & cultural events include: World One Day in El Cerrito, CA., Houston Women's Festival, Austin Jazz Festival, Alamo Community Garden Festival, and the Austin I.S.D. Pow Wow. Her early influences include Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Freedom Fighters, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Sade, Patrice Rushen, Brenda Russell, Fela, Sun Ra, Gregory Isaacs, Burnin' Spear, Bob Marley, Cesaria Evora, Abyssinians, Misti and Roots, and Steel Pulse.

Tchiya has been homeschooling her daughters since they were born. The curriculum at Arbol de Vida Homeschool has included: Yoga, Math, Astronomy/Astrology, Music, Art, Science of Living and Natural Health, Indigenous Rights, Sovereign America, Vegan Cooking, Environmental Studies, Soccer, Sewing, Drama, Homeschoolers' Social Club and Culture Studies. Her many passions include Hiking, Swimming in Spring Water, Jogging, Fancy Shawl Dancing, Organic Gardening, and Watermelon. In her "free" time, Tchiya enjoys sharing her research on Cultural Astronomy and Yoga with people of all ages.

 http://www.tchiya.com