Northern Mohican Musician, performer, songwriter and painter Bill Miller offers two presentations Nov. 7 at Montcalm Community College.

At noon in rooms D303-305 in MCC’s Beatrice E. Doser Building, Miller offers reflections and a musical presentation to students, faculty, staff and community members. Lunch is provided for students with a current MCC ID and is $2 for all others.

At 7 p.m., Miller performs his music in MCC’s Barn Theater. Admission is free.

Miller’s motivating and spiritual music was shaped by an astonishing life. Born of German-Mohican blood, Miller grew up in and around Northern Wisconsin on a reservation. His struggle against cultural and family tragedies became the backbone of his faith-enriched work.

Shortly after leaving the reservation, Miller’s turning point came when he attended a Pete Seeger concert. He then studied art at the Layton School of Art and Design in Milwaukee, Wis., and pursued a career as a singer and songwriter. From the beginning, he faced cultural racism, but Miller continues to escalate as a singer and songwriter.

It was through life experiences that Miller used his talents to overcome battles that fell in his path and continue living in a positive, inspirational way. In a story on his Web site, Miller said, “I see things as rivers, creeks and rainstorms as the liquid layer of my life.”

Miller has recorded several albums that have brought great success to his life, including “Loon Mountain and Moon,” “Red Road,” “Reservation Road, and Raven In The Snow,” “The Art of Survival,” and one that brought great attention to him at the American Music Awards, “Ghost Dance,” which earned him nine Nammys. Miller most recently released the albums “Chronicles of Hope” and “Spirit Wind North.”

Ken DeLong, MCC’s Native American Club advisor, has seen Miller’s performances and he described them as, “excellent, and powerful. It’s hard to put a label on his music because his lyrics are inspired by personal experiences.”

“Miller is excellent on the guitar, and he sucks you in,” DeLong said.

November is Native American recognition month and DeLong said he hopes Miller’s performance will “bring folks to campus, and broaden their horizon. It’s a chance for the community to hear and see things they wouldn’t normally experience.”

Miller is “not pretentious, he’s a good guy and he can really connect with his audience,” DeLong said.

Contact DeLong by e-mail at kend@montcalm.edu or call him at (989) 328-1258 for more information.