"Jana Mashonee had a mission even before she found success as a musician. She is most well known for her stage name ""Jana,"" but also her Native American heritage. Jana calls herself an ""Urban Indian"" as she takes the traditional ways of the Native Americans and incorporates them into her life in the modern world. She is part of the Lumbee tribe and takes the job of role model seriously. She has started an organization called Jana's Kids, which helps Native American youths on their path to success.Jana first started getting recognition through her singles, which were being played at dance clubs around the country. Her 2000 single ""More Than Life"" reached number 42 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. She released her debut album, Flash of a Firefly, in 2005 which showcased both her voice and her songwriting skills. That same year, she released a Christmas album called American Indian Christmas. The album had ten well-known Christmas songs including ""Silent Night,"" ""Joy to the World,"" ""Winter Wonderland"" and ""O Come All Ye Faithful."" Jana put her own spin on the album by performing each song in a different Native American Language.She followed up her 2005 effort by releasing American Indian Story in 2006. The album follows the story of a young Native American girl named Sha'Kona and her tribe. The album garnered Jana a Grammy nomination in 2007, and she has also won six Native American Music Awards. Jana's interests are not limited to just music. She is set to appear in a movie called Raptor Ranch and has been recognized numerous times for her sense of fashion. Because of her interest in fashion, she has appeared in magazines like In Style, Marie Claire and Glamour. With the kind of talent and drive Jana has, she will surely be making headlines for some time."
