Unheard Voices brings American Indians together

Although North Carolina has the largest Native American population east of the Mississippi River, there are only a few hundred Native Americans on campus.

For this reason, members of the a cappella group Unheard Voices say they have been making an effort to promote cultural awareness of the American Indian community at UNC.

Unheard Voices held auditions Tuesday and expanded the group from six members to 12.

The group integrates Native American folk music and spoken word into its performances.

Whitney Bullard, a junior psychology major and Unheard Voices performer, said the group wants to grow so it can have a larger presence on campus.

“It would help us make our voices louder by showing people that, yes, Native Americans still exist and, yes, there are a lot of us,” she said.

“It would be better to have more people in our group around campus and at events to allow us to have a stronger voice and say, ‘Hey, we’re here’.”

Bullard said the group has been trying to generate student interest by performing in the Pit and holding more local concerts.

Originally founded in the 1970s, Unheard Voices was formed as a sub-group of the Carolina Indian Circle — a student organization that seeks to raise awareness about Native American culture on campus.

In order for students to participate in Unheard Voices, they must first be members of the Carolina Indian Circle.

Junior Candice Locklear, lead singer of Unheard Voices, said there has been an increase in student interest this year because the Carolina Indian Circle mentioned their work at its meetings.

She said when she was a freshman, the president of the Carolina Indian Circle recruited her and asked her to listen to the message of the music.

Locklear is also the main drummer for the group.

She said the group’s work helps explain Native American culture and music’s connection to Earth.

Bullard said the group gives members an outlet to vocalize their Native American heritage on campus.

“It allowed me to express my culture and find out more about myself,” Bullard said.

New member Elena Hunt wrote in an email that she wanted to join the group for its social benefits.

“Overall, I feel it is a great way to express the native culture in a respectful way that also allows me to get to know other great Native people,” Hunt wrote.

Group member Amber McDowell wrote in an email that she joined the group to stay connected with her Native American roots after coming to UNC.

She said Unheard Voices has allowed her to learn more about other tribes.

“I have always lived in a predominately Native American community but I found few opportunities to expand my knowledge base to other tribes,” McDowell wrote.

Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.