LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Symphony Association and Eastern Oregon University’s Speel-Ya Native American Student Council will present “Blessings from the Past and for the Future” on Sunday, Sept. 22.

As a part of GRSA’s chamber series the concert will be presented at the EOU Quad, beginning at 6 p.m. Performing will be James Edmund Greeley, Native American flutist. Concert-goers may arrive early to peruse Native American art vendors (beginning at 4 p.m.) and enjoy Indian tacos and drinks for $10 (beginning at 4:30 p.m.).

According to a press release, Greeley is renowned for his role in reviving and popularizing traditional Native American flute music. A member of the Warm Springs, Wasco, Nez Perce and Hopi tribes, Greeley has actively promoted his cultural heritage through his music. His work fuses traditional Native American melodies with modern influences, earning him recognition for preserving and teaching the art of the Native American flute.

He won the Native American Music Award in 2017 for his traditional flute album, “Before America.” His playing of the eagle bone whistle on Esperanza Spalding’s “Songwrights Apothecary Lab” CD helped earn them the 2021 Grammy for Best Vocal Jazz album. He also occasionally teams up with Hunter Noack to meld his flute with classical piano in the outdoors.

The EOU quad is located on the Eastern Oregon University campus outside of Loso Hall. Free parking will be available in any parking lot on campus. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved inside the Loso Hall foyer.

All are welcome to this event and donations will gladly be accepted with proceeds going toward the 50th anniversary Spring Powwow, to be held on May 16-17, 2025, at EOU.