Indigie Femme
Indigie Femme has circled the globe, stirring audiences and gathering fans for more than a decade. Along the way they’ve been 2017 Indigenous Music Award nominees; 2016, 2014 and 2012 New Mexico Music Award winners; 2013 Aboriginal Peoples Choice as Best International Duo; 2011 Native American Music Award winners and Sacramento Women of Color & Diversity Honorees; and 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. They are especially well known in the two-spirit world of indigiqueer performance.
Elena Higgins (Maori/Samoan) and Tash Terry (Navajo/French/Irish) are only two women but they represent nearly a dozen ethnic traditions. In dark times and light, their unique blend of harmonies, rhythms, and instrumentation leave audiences spellbound and hopeful. Elena’s rich voice has been compared to that of Etta James and Tash has been said to echo Melissa Etheridge.
Elena brings her Maori and Samoan ancestors from New Zealand in new and moving vocals. Whether strumming her Australian Maton (upside-down guitar), offering harmonies or performing sweet a capella, she moves her audience to embrace her glorious smile and haunting sounds.
Tash comes from the Navajo Nation bringing with her that Nation’s songs and stories. She grew up hearing the mystical music of her masani (grandmother) whose awe for mother earth and devotion to Navajo ways was unshakable. Tash now renders that enduring spirit through her own musical interpretations both traditional and modern.
Indigie Femme has 8 CDs in their collection of songs. They will be releasing their 9th CD, “Just To Be” in May 2023.
Tash Terry
Tash Terry raised on the Navajo Nation (Dinetah) was born into the Todich’ii’nii (Bitter Water) clan, and was made from the Bilagaana (French and Irish). Her family is from Black Mountain and Big Mountain on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Her father passed away when she was a child.
Tash was introduced to a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Navajo family from Lukachukai at an early age. ﾠThe American Sign Language (ASL) acquisition interested her into the world of Native/Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She continues to learn and interpret American Sign Language for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Cultures. Tash works as an ASL associate freelance interpreter.
Tash pursued her education at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA.) She was introduced to other Native perspectives and realized that many stories, concerns, and problems faced by her people were shared by other native cultures both nationally and internationally.
Tash started her creative process by collaborating with other cultures. She found herself involved in Native Theater, scriptwriting, directing, and acting. Some of her works were produced in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Elena Higgins
The balance from three very strong cultures, Elena was born in Aotearoa (New Zealand.) Raised in a pakeha (white) foster family in which she regularly visited her Samoan matrilineal aiga (family) and her Maori whanau (family.)
In 1996, Elena migrated to Australia to teach in both public and private schools. There she found her voice and passionately pursued her musical sojourn with the love and support of the community on Magnetic Island where she resided.
In 2006, Elena moved to the USA to pursue her musical talents. Supporting Native American gatherings and circles, she found her way to New Mexico. In August Elena met Tash. In November of the same year, saw the birth of Indigie Femme!
Indigie Femme sends a powerful message of acceptance, tolerance, courage, and passion that communicates readily to audiences of all ages, cultures, and regions. Elena & Tash's (Indigie Femme) unique combination and energy lifts their audiences to new levels opening pathways through their artistic creations.