James Pakootas

James Pakootas (Colville Confederated Tribes), is a modern-day story weaver. He is an award-winning vocalist, producer, and filmmaker who cultivates change in the world through the power of words. James comes from people whose future, present, and past are expressed through art, song, and movement. As a vocalist who threads conscious hip hop and spoken word poetry with Native Culture, he carries on this tradition. James tells stories – stories that empower, stories that fascinate, and stories that speak truth to our existence. The core of his content speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, a deep understanding of trauma, and connection; the never-ending pathway back to ourselves. 

James has appeared at The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in NYC, The National Museum of Jazz in Harlem, Hawaii Theatre Center, and The New Jersey Performing Arts Center. He has performed or collaborated with Joy Harjo, Monique Mojica, Pura Fe, Charly Lowry, Tau Dance Theater, T.S The Solution, Tony Louie, Jellybean Johnson, Kalliah Jackson, Mali Obomsawim, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Maura Garcia, Maiah Wynne, Delbert Anderson, and Bazille.  

James has been awarded multiple 2024 fellowships, including The Intercultural Leadership Institute Fellowship, The Power of Storytelling Fellowship through The Alliance for Media, Arts + Culture, and the Artist Trust Fellowship. He’s a 2019 Native American Music Award Winner, and 2023 (2X) Nominee. James has received multiple awards and fellowships through First Peoples Fund, Western Arts Alliance, Nia Tero, and Spokane Arts.