New Documentary Mini-Series "8th Fire" Premieres on CBC

The new CBC series 8th Fire, hosted by Wab Kinew and featuring Winnipeg's Most amongst many other talented Indians, challenges the relationships between "us" and "them".

Tonight debuts the first episode of 8th Fire, the new, four-part CBC series exploring relationship building between Indigenous and settler society in Canada. Geared towards a much larger, non-Indigenous audience, the first episode is meant to introduce a broad cross-section of Aboriginal peoples to Canada and features rappers Winnipeg's Most, Taiaiake Alfred, and Evan Adams amongst others.

Winnipeg's Most, from Winnipeg, is no stranger to living in diverse communities. The city is known for not only its substantial Native population but also a wide variety of other ethnicities. Over the phone Jon-C states "we are hip-hop artists that are doing something that appeals to everyone, to people in other cities going through similar things." The group cleaned up at the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards last November leaving with 6 major recognitions, but they are a mixed group themselves with Jon-C and Brooklyn (both Aboriginal) and Charlie Fettah (Irish).

Jon-C says the group was excited to be approached by CBC to participate in the documentary but they didn't realize the depth of what the show was about culturally until they had completed shooting. "We do US, make music, do shows. So we were just answering with honesty." Winnipeg's Most is honoured to attend the premiere screening party at IMAX Portage Place in Winnipeg tonight, and be able to share their story and their lives. "We came from rapping about the street and somehow we ended up being role-models. It feels good to be looked at as achievers, after coming from a place where under-achievement was expected 100%."

The host of 8th Fire, Wab Kinew (Ojibway from Onigaming First Nation) is an accomplished musician in how own right and became interested in dispelling myths after working on a personal piece for CBC's The National chronicling his father's residential school experience, the impacts in his family and later resolving its effects. Wab states in an article on cbc.ca "The big lesson I had learned, and that I shared with the producers, is that Canadians WILL empathize with Aboriginal people if we let them walk a mile in our moccasins." After going through the process of filming 8TH Fire he reflects "my Aboriginal side and my non-aboriginal side are getting along better than ever."

Featuring a score by Cris Derkson and a wide range of other interesting characters, get the full deal at the comprehensive cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire.

The first episode airs Thursday January 12 at 9 pm on CBC-TV and Friday January 13 at 10 pm ET/PT on CBC News Network.

Watch the 8th Fire preview and below that, check out the 12 minute story CBC's The National aired last night on Winnipeg's Most:

Troubled Past, Promising Future:

The Last New Millennium First People's Powwow

The Thunder in the Desert Powwow began in the year 2000, with a 12-year plan to celebrate and welcome the 21st century. Last week marked the last gathering in Tucson, Arizona.

In acknowledgement of the power of four, Thunder in the Desert was planned to take place four times, every four years, in 2000, 2004, 2008 and this year's finale.

From Indian Country Today's Sun Sets on New Millennium First Peoples’ World Fair and Pow Wow:

“Native Americans felt it important to commemorate this special time in history to celebrate our continued existence and to recommit to carry on our tradition of beauty and culture,” [organizer Fred] Synder said.

This pow wow was both special and traditional in that it provided time to renew thoughts of old ways while joining in dancing, singing, visiting, rekindling current friendships, and making new ones....  “Literally, this event is an all volunteer organization that dedicates three years into planning these ten days of presentations,” said Synder.

...the fun began with an Electric Pow Wow and a traditional Social Pow Wow featuring flute players and aboriginal dancers representing Aztec, Ecuadorian, and Tlingit cultures along with Zuni Buffalo and Eagle dancers and hoop dance performances — all of which lead up to late afternoon gourd dancing and an official Grand Entry begun as the sun began to sink in the West to end Day One...

As a closing comment, coordinator Carole Garcia thanked participants by noting: “It is an honor you have chosen to be with us at Thunder in the Desert and thank you for keeping our children dancing."

Here is a great short video that captured Coloradas Mangas, lead dancer:

And here are just a few of the many gorgeous photographs taken by Lightning Horse during all 10 days of this event. Head on over to the Thunder in the Desert on Facebook to feast your eyes on rest of the images. Maybe even feel a bit of that Tucson sun!

VIDEO: Robin Ranger - "This Endless Night"

Jazz musician Robin Ranger, from Fort William First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, will soon be releasing a new album, The View From the Seventh Sky. As a sneak peak, Robin posted this video just last week.

This Endless Night will be one of the track on the upcoming The View From the Seventh Sky, an album of songs written during a year Robin spent in Russia. The album features his rich, smokey vocals backed by a jazz quartet. We're looking forward to hearing more!

#FrybreadFriday: The Most Fried Bread of 2011

It's been a delight to bring you #FrybreadFriday every week since RPM launched in June, and here on the last Friday of the year, I'm looking back on all the frybread ground we've covered - in music, film, dance and of course the kitchen.

Some of my favourites have been the frybread riot scene from Smoke Signals, the interpretive dance of frybread, the photo set of frybread stands that got mention in The Art of the Rural, and the trailer for the much anticipated mocumentary More Than Frybread.

But above all, and winner of my one-time only Most Fried Bread award, is Helen Roy making Zaasakokwaan. Her laugh, her singing in the kitchen, her making the dough by feel, all embody the heart and warmth of frybread Friday at its best.

Here she is, in an encore performance:

And with that, happy New Year frybread makers!

p.s. Zaasakokwaan: Ojibwe for frybread.

#Frybread Frybread: How to Make Bannock

This week #FrybreadFriday turns its attention to its very close cousin - baked bannock. In this film by Darryl Nepinak, Darryl documents his mother making her version, step by step.

Darryl's mom makes her recipe in the best possible way - by feel. The process is replete with a curious cat, how to let the dough breathe, toe tapping and even toe kneading...!

Watch: Bannock, by Darryl Nepinak.

Bannock from Darryl Nepinak on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Cheyanna Kootenhayoo - "Nightmare Before Dubstep"

The clever Nightmare Defore Dubstep sound project spoof is created by Cheyanna Kootenhayoo feat. Heebz the earthchild.

Cheyanna J. V. Kootenhayoo, is a young multi-talented Dene/Nakota women from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, and originally from Cold Lake, Alberta. Starting from no sound, Cheyanna spent a few days with Logic and Pro Tools recording and re-designing voice overs, and sound FX, and music for this one minute clip from A Nightmare Before Christmas as a final school project. A Nightmare Before Dubstep features Heebz the earthchild from duo Mob Bounce, check it!

Intro and Outro tunes generously donated to Redwire TV by A Tribe Called Red.

A Holiday Gift from RPM to You!

It's the end of the year and hard to believe that RPM is only 6 months old! What an incredible journey it has been so far.

As a thank you for making our first few months so fantastic, we've put together an exclusive free mixtape for you to download and enjoy over the holidays.

Download the 2011 RPM Loves You Mixtape, hosted by our Ostwelve, below. We hope you enjoy it.

In return, we ask that you share this post with two friends and continue to grow this community of Indigenous music culture!

Happy holidays everyone!

DOWNLOAD: The 2011 RPM Loves You Mixtape   The 2011 RPM Loves You Mixtape by RPMfm

Tracklisting:

1. She King - Freakshow
2. The Wake Singers - Crazy Eyes
3. Sister Says - The Only Way
4. Savage Generation - Warrior
5. The Johnnys - Bedbug Banquet

Indigenous Music For The Holiday Season

We've been keeping our antlers tuned to the moccasin telegraph to bring you this great list of holiday music from some of our favorite Indigenous musicians here on Turtle Island. Enjoy!

First on our list of holiday music is Star Nayea, a pop/blues/rock singer based out of Seattle, Washington. Here she brings us a classic tune first introduced by ElvisPresley called Blue Christmas:

Next, check out Swil Kanim, a Coast Salish violinist, and his version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas:

Métis singer-songwriter Don Amero has released a 7-track Christmas album this year entitled Christmastime. Stream the songs and buy the CD or download at donamero.com/christmastime.

Choctow artist Samantha Crain from Shawnee, Oklahoma, recorder her holiday song Breaking The Ice for Christmas compilation Fowler Volkswagen Presents: A Blackwatch Christmas. Preview her track here, and head to fowlervwchristmas.com to download the entire album for free.

Lastly, we've assembled a festive YouTube playlist of holiday season videos for your Christmas enjoyment!

Track listing:

War Child - Twelve Days of Indian Christmas (Round Dance) Laura Burnouf - Little Drummer Boy (In Woodlands Cree) Jana Mashonee - Silent Night (Sung in Arapaho) Joey Stylez - Snow Angel J Dizzay - You're My Present

To view this playlist in YouTube click this link: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL67440DA5AF9FBCD2 

VIDEO: Shy-Anne Hovorka ft. Christine Arnold - "Too Young, Too Late"

In honour of the late Claudette Magne, Shy-Anne Hovorka brings us this song and sobering video portraying the devastating effects texting and driving can have. 

Sponsored by the Thunder Bay Police and TBay Tel, and produced by Crystal Sync Productions, Shy-Anne shares the message in song: distracted driving kills.

Watch Too Young, Too Late by Shy-Anne Hovorka, featuring Christine Arnold.

#FrybreadFriday: Kathryn's Navajo Frybread

Kathryn Little shares her recipe, her tricks, her tips and her secrets for frybread.

I for one have not ever tried letting the dough set before frying things up - I'll be trying that next time I make frybread and let you know how it goes.

Watch Kathryn's How to Make Frybread and let me know how it goes next time you're in the kitchen!

4 Indigenous Musicians to Watch in 2012

What a year 2011 has been for Indigenous music! From new music by time-tested artists to surprising new splashes on the scene, here's four artists we're keeping our eye on as we move into the New Year. You'll want to pay attention to these artists for great new things in 2012.

Ali Fontaine From the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, Ali Fontaine is a 17-year old country artist, mentored by Indigenous music legend Errol Ranville. She made waves this year with her debut eponymous album and single Say it to Me. The track's music video, a slick and colourful trip through New York city, was directed by Strongfront A/V Productions founder Jesse Green. Indeed, Ali has been quickly drawing the attention of big hitters and fans alike - she took home Best Country CD and Best New Artist at the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards. With all of this under her belt before she's even graduated high school, we know Ali is just getting started and look forward to what the young star will create next.

Here's Say it to Me:

Beaatz Hailing from the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, Canada, Beaatz is also a remarkable young artist who popped up on the scene in 2011. At 19, he's proven to be a prolific emcee/producer this year, establishing off the bat a clean cut production style and sharp rap abilities.  That, putting New Brunswick on the map for Indigenous hip-hop, and being an innovator of style, are why we recommend you look out for Beaatz in 2012.

Here's Never Lookin' Back:

Cris Derksen Classically trained but futuristically innovative, Cree cellist Cris Derksen has been a hardworking musician for a few years now. However, 2011 was surely a red letter year and a sign of Derksen's trajectory. She was on tour most of 2011, including two European tours, as a solo artist and as a member of the Beat Nation Live Collective, the band Lightning Dust and the band E.S.L.; she released her first music video, her second - a First Tracks selection - will be released in the New Year;  the CBC documentary series The 8th Fire, due for release in January, features an original score compose by Derksen and her debut album, The Cusp, won Best Instrumental Album at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in Toronto. See what we mean? She's surely in her element and on a roll.

Here's 2 Hours Parking:

A Tribe Called Red Who knew about these guys one year ago? In just one year, the electronic chiefs of the Electric Powwow have made huge leaps and bounds with an international touring schedule, mainstream press recognition and the pioneering of a new style of Indigenous electronic music "Powwow-step" that has taken the music world by storm. The trio of DJ NDN, Bear Witness and DJ Shub have been rocking dance floors at major festivals and parties as well as their own weekly nights in their hometown of Ottawa, Canada, and it's been catching on like wildfire. We know it will continue to grow in 2012 and are excited to see what new artistic heights these three men reach.

Here's Red Skin Girl:

Keep your eyes on RPM for the latest and greatest from these artists, and others in 2012.

VIDEO: Mama D - "Mr. Businessman's Blues"

Filmed at Occupy Toronto and other spots of material consumption, Cree singer-songwriter Mama D brings us a video vision of her song Mr. Businessman's Blues from her brand new album Beauty and Hard Times.

Thank you to Lise Vaugeois for writing us and suggesting we check out this video. Beauty and Hard Times is coming in Spring 2012, though you can get a download of it now at emusic.com.