A controversial version of Led Zeppelin’s epic "Stairway to Heaven", came next, earning her the honor of being the first Native American to top the Billboard dance charts.
[1] Exploring her cultural roots, Mashonee released American Indian Story, a concept album that garnered her a second Grammy nomination.
[7] She recently completed her first book, American Indian Story – The Adventures of Sha’kona, based on the Grammy-nominated album of the same name.
[8] With New Moon Born, she moved in a new direction, steeped in R&B and gospel roots; this brought her back to mainstream attention.
She debuted the featured track, an cover of Sam Cooke's classic, "A Change Is Gonna Come", at the American Indian Inaugural Ball for President Obama.
Mashonee says about her own foundation, "I've been blessed to be able to travel across the country to many reservations to talk to youth and address issues of cultural identity and education.
From this, I've been able to raise enough money to offer scholarships to deserving Native youth in the artistic, academic, and athletic fields..."[12] She performed with Sarah McLachlan, and Loreena McKennitt among other stars to support this charity cause at Carnegie Hall in December 2012.
She is a self-proclaimed Christian, stating she focuses more on exploring spirituality of the Creator than just rules written by men.