Joanne Shenandoah, who grew up in the Oneida nation of India before becoming a world-renowned singer and peace and human rights activist, has died aged 64.

Tributes poured in today for Shenandoah, a Grammy Award winner who has released more than a dozen albums and performed at venues ranging from the White House and Carnegie Hall to the Vatican.

“I woke up to learn that my dear friend Joanne Shenandoah passed over to the other side last night,” Syracuse musician and city councilor Joe Driscoll wrote on Facebook today. “She was a true musical healer, bringing joy, healing and laughter wherever she went.”

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joanne Shenandoah,” Oneida Indian Nation representative Ray Halbritter said in a statement. “Joanne has lived a busy life with many impressive accomplishments. We offer our deepest condolences to his family. ”

by Shenandoah official site describes her as a “Grammy Award winning artist, speaker, educator, peace ambassador, earth defender”. She won the Grammy in the Native American music category for her role in the 2006 album “Sacred Ground: A Tribute to Mother Earth”.

“Shenandoah’s national popularity is based on its original compositions, storytelling, educational programs and vocal skills,” syracuse.com entertainment writer Linda Loomis once wrote. “A member of the Wolf Clan of the Oneidas, she describes herself as a peace activist and was honored in 2017 with the American Indian Society of Washington DC award for advancing Native American empowerment through social action , political, legal, environmental and educational initiatives.

The Associated Press has called her one of the “most celebrated and critically acclaimed Native American musicians of her time.”

Shenandoah received a Honorary doctorate of Music from Syracuse University in 2002.

Shenandoah has battled liver disease in recent years, but has continued to perform, including a production of her own “SkyWoman” symphony with Symphoria of Syracuse at the annual National Historic Park Human Rights Convention Days. women in Seneca Falls in 2018.

She was receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Ariz., At the time of her death, according to family members.

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach it at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him on NYup.com, to Twitter Where Facebook.