Gurl23 and Corey Bullpitt are both established artists in the Vancouver community and are also the resident graffiti artists for the Beat Nation collective. They recently completed a sponsored mural entitled The Storm in Vancouver and a video has been produced featuring music by Impossible Nothing.
Nenan Dane zaa Deh Zona is a community driven child and family services organization based out of northeastern British Columbia. This video looks at the issue of foster care in the Indigenous population of the region and features an interview with Cree singer-songwriter Art Napoleon.
This killer track from hip-hop artist Miss Christie Lee is mostly in her Indigenous Musqueam language. The hook translates to "there are no words that can express how much you mean to me" and speaks to Christie's passion for empowering her people, in particular Aboriginal youth, to be proud of their roots. A member of Vancouver's all female hip-hop First Ladies Crew, Christie is a strong, positive voice in the Indigenous hip-hop scene and her music has taken her around the world, from performing at the Beijing Olympics to opening for K'Naan in Vancouver. She sent us this track to check out and we're stoked to share it with you. DOWNLOAD: Miss Christie Lee - "Experience"
Vancouver has not hosted an Indigenous film or media festival in almost half a decade, but on November 10th, the Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival returned native media to its rightful place of revived strength and pride in our community.
VIMAF held its opening gala and the celebration on Thursday, November 10th and continued throughout the long weekend with a series of media arts events, film screenings, music, workshops, art exhibits and discussions.
The Opening Gala was held at the W2 Media Cafe to a great turnout of Vancouver community members. The evening included a presentation of the Inaugural VIMAF Lifetime Achievement Award to Cree hip-hop photographer, author, artist and activist Ernie Paniccioli, who was also present during the festivities.
The evening then moved into the film program which included Shi-Shi-Etko a short film directed by Kate Kroll and starring Coast Salish R&B musician Inez and the young singing sensation Ta'Kaiya Blaney, Anirniq directed byt RJ Sauer and Tungijuq which is a musical look at a mystical seal hunt starring Tanya Tagaq. The feature film of the evening was Grab, which takes an intimate look at "Grab Day" in the Laguna Pueblo tribe.
Friday began with "Decolonize Yourself" programming, which included Canyon War: The Untold Story written by Kevin Loring, Columbus Day Legacy, Bloodland, Warchild, Indian, Overburden, Two Scoops, Zwei Indianer Aus Winnipeg and Empty by Jackie Traverse. Following were some words from filmmakers Kevin Loring, Cowboy Smithx and Elle-Maija Tailfeathers as well as an address from Frank and Telkwa, the elders visiting from the Occupy Vancouver site.
The Raw Sugar program included various music pieces like Woodcarver by Bear Witness of A Tribe Called Red, Naqs Asil Katlis by Bracken Hanuse Corlett, Savage by Lisa Jackson and the feature of the program Music Is The Medicine, the new documentary about Derek Miller, which made its west coast premiere that night—and which we've featured in our latest episode of the RPM Podcast EP#011 - "Music is the Medicine".
"The Other Side of Hip-Hop" was the next program that included the Ernie Paniccioli biopic film of the same name The Other Side Of Hip-Hop: The Sixth Element which was followed by some words of wisdom from the man himself. The nearby Catalog Gallery also held a special three day exhibition of Paniccioli's photographs.
V.I.M.A.F. // W2 MEDIA CAFE // CATALOG GALLERY PRESENT : ERNIE PANICCIOLI from Catalog Creative on Vimeo.
Next up, all of us here at RPM.fm were pleased to curate and present an Indigenous Music Video Program that included the premiere of the new Cris Derksen video directed by Cowboy Smithx for her song 2 Hour Parking. After that was the Late Night music program which included a performance by Ostwelve, Csetkwe, DJ Deano and visuals by Bracken Hanuse Corlett.
Saturday was another full day of panel discussions and films for VIMAF. The evening program included a night of features hosted by acclaimed Cree actor Tantoo Cardinal. The films included Up Heartbreak Hill directed by Erica Scharf, Barking Water by Sterlin Harjo and the thriller On The Ice which made it's last festival appearance at VIMAF before going to distribution.
The final day of the festival opened with daytime children's programming including Tansi! Nehiyawetan's Powwow Episode and the new feature length film of Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes. After that followed a program of National Film Board films including Six Miles Deep and Totem: Return and Renewal.
The evening concluded with Slay Dogs by Kwakwee Baker, Higher Ground by Karen Bardach and the closing feature film Two Indians Talking starring Nathaniel Arcand and Justin Rain who was in attendance for the screening and a following question period.
VIMAF saw great support in its inaugural year, with visits from many of the communities dignitaries and artists featured in the festival lineup, making, the festival a welcoming and inspiring place to be throughout the weekend.
Thanks to all the sponsors, artists, volunteers and community supporters for making this festival a success. We look forward to another year of revitalized Indigenous media arts in Vancouver in 2012.
Introducing Red Lake Ojibwe, Kayla Gebeck who studies linguistics and Native American Studies at Dartmouth College. Cinematography by Hillary Abe.
Enjoy REPRESENT Jingle Dance by The 1491s :
Directed and Edited by Dallas Goldtooth and Ryan Red Corn. Music by Little Otter.
Indigenous Sovereignty Week: November 2011
The Third Annual Indigenous Sovereignty Week launched this past Monday, but don't worry my sovereign people, events span into next week. Called for by the Defenders of the Land, a network of First Nations in land struggle, here is a full list of the remaining events for the urban centres: Edmonton and Toronto. Take this as an opportunity to educate and stimulate discussion on community victories, recent and historic, while looking forward to discuss how best to organize against the threat to Indigenous Peoples posed by Harper’s anti-Indigenous rights agenda.
Lets not forget the communities currently fighting their land struggles during Indigenous Sovereignty Week. The Unist’ot’en and the Likhts’amisyu clans of the Wet’suwet’en Nation have set up a roadblock evicting the Pacific Trails Pipeline drillers and their equipment from their territories. And the Tsilhqot'in are in court seeking an injunction to halt drilling and road building for the replacement Taseko mining project they defeated in environmental assessments last year. And many many more, quietly defending their way of life across Turtle Island.
Indigenous Sovereignty Week in Edmonton – Occupied Amiskwaciwâskahikan, will kick off next Monday with an sharing circle celebrating Indigenous Womyn Warriors. Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Lubicon Cree and ISW Ed organizer asserts:
"I think it is important for us to take the time to acknowledge the inspiring work that Indigenous woman have done and continue doing for our communities. Many times woman do not get the recognition for their hard and selfless work that they do for their community"
Monday, November 21st 2011 Edmonton Room of the downtown branch of the Edmonton Public Library Opening Feast and Indigenous Womyn Warriors sharing Circle 5pm-8pm
Indigenous womyn and men sharing the stories of the Indigenous Womyn who came before us and who paved the path for Indigenous Rights today. Who are they? Where do they come from? Who are the descendants of these warriors?
Tuesday – November 22nd, 2011 Telus Room 219, U of A Film Screening and Panel: Club Native by Tracey Deer 6pm – 9pm
In Club Native, Deer looks deeply into the history and present-day reality of Aboriginal identity. With moving stories from a range of characters from her Kahnawake Reserve she reveals the divisive legacy of “blood quantum” ideals, snobby attitudes and outright racism.
Wednesday – November 23rd, 2011 Occupy Edmonton (102 St and Jasper Ave) ** Urgent NOTICE: If Occupy Edmonton is evicted this evening. We will unfortunately have to move the event to: 9425 109A Avenue, Edmonton Boys & Girls Club History of Corporate/ Economic Interests and Involvement in the colonization of Turtle Island 6pm – 8pm
Indigenous peoples in Canada, the United States and throughout the Americas hold valuable land and water resources that have long been exploited by the provincial, state and federal governments and by corporations trying to meet the energy needs of an industrialized world.
Thursday – November 24th, 2011 Education Building South 113, U of A Authors of Our Own Stories: The Fiction of Anti-Racism Experts 4:30pm – 6pm
This discussion is a conscientious and true analysis of anti-racism work within the non-racialized, non-profit sector, based on the lived experiences of racialized women. Panel: Junetta Jamerson, Jacqueline Fayant, and Tina Bernard.
Friday – November 25th, 2011 9702 111 Ave. NW - Gallery Space of HIV Edmonton Warriors Wisdom! Music, Poetry and Dance for Indigenous Rights and Sovereignty 7pm – 10pm
If you are an artist, performer or dancer and would like to celebrate Warrior Wisdom, this is a chance to showcase your talent and show your support.
you can check out complete event info on their website : edmontonisw.wordpress.com
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Indigenous Sovereignty Week in Toronto started last Monday but due to the homecoming of the Canadian Aboriginal Festival Pow Wow they will be hosting events up until their closing circle on Sunday November, 27.
Friday - November 18, 2011 Room 2215, OISE. 252 Bloor Street W, at Bedford exit of St. George subway Celebrating Community Victories - Standing up to the Harper Threat 7pm – 9pm
Panel organized by: Defenders of the Land supporters featuring Russell Diabo, Pamela Palmater, and Randy Kapashesit. Chaired by Sylvia Plain. Other speakers TBA.
Tuesday- November 22, 2011 York University, Room 242, York Lanes Deconstructing Identity Barriers: Aboriginal Women’s Sharing Circle 12:00-3:00 pm
Our sharing circle seeks to bring forth personal experiences of identity barriers, as Aboriginal women, by articulating our opinions in a group setting, addressing the fear of further marginalization and by critically challenging the public value of the “expert’s” perspective over our own. Facilitated by Erin Konsmo.
Ryerson Student Centre (55 Gould St.) room: SCC 115 KI Speak About Their Struggle to Protect Scared Areas From Mining Exploration 7:00 p.m.
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Chief Donny Morris and John Cutfeet, Spokesperson, will be speaking on their current struggle against further mining encroachment into their traditional territories. Join us in this rare opportunity to hear directly from KI leaders about their struggle to control and care for their Homeland.
Wednesday- November 23, 2011 University of Toronto Multi-Faith Centre Criminalization of Indigenous Peoples 7pm – 9pm
Christa Big Canoe: Speaking on the impacts of Harper's Omnibus crime bill on Indigenous peoples in Canada. Jules Koostachin, Elisabeth Fry: speaking on the over-incarceration and criminalization of Indigenous women and girls
Thursday - November 24, 2011 Native Women’s Resource Centre, 191 Gerrard Street East Panel : The Silence is Broken: Now What? 6:30pm – 9pm
Where should the energy of groups like No More Silence be focused? How do we best continue to raise awareness around the disappearance of Indigenous women and create conditions that stop the violence? With Lee Maracle, Darlene Ritchie, Wanda Whitebird, and Faith Nolan.
Friday - Novmber 25, 2011 Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham Street Curated artwork and Discussion: A Colonial Contagion 6:00pm - 9:00pm
This event will present- an overview of the context of the Indigenous arts of the Americas, to exemplify the similarities amongst colonial, capitalist, imperial, neo-liberal strategies, that have acted as a type of “disease” amongst our communities.
Some of the artists/activists works presented; Terrance Houle, Rebecca Belmore, Robert Houle, Edgar Heap of Birds, Alfred YoungMan, Joanne Cardinal Schubert, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, James Luna, Guillermo Gomez Pena, Diego Rivera, Jacques Louis David, John Gast, Thomas Cole and Edward Curtis.
Presentations will be followed with a recorded discussion begging the questions: What is the dream? What is the action? Past successes, present needs and future strategies. Presenters / Facilitation-Tannis Nielsen and Zainab Amadahy
Saturday - November 26, 2011 Native Canadian Centre of Toronto Muskrat Magazine Launch: The Food Issue 6:00pm - 8:30pm
In the spirit of community building and honouring our relationship to land and sustenance we invite you to feast with us! BRING a "Traditional" dish to share. Special Guests Include: Elder: Jan Longboat; Community leader and teacher: Sylvia Maracle; Performance artist: Cheryl L’Hirondelle; Entertainer: Glen Gould; Poet: Giles Benaway and...a sneak peak of MUSKRAT's upcoming FOOD issue!
Sunday - November 27, 2011 Location and time will be announced at ISW events. Closing Circle
Advising elder: Lee Maracle
Organizing committee: Zainab Amadahy, Mike Barber, Andrea Bastien, Craig Fortier, Audrey Huntley, Tannis Nielsen, Shiri Pasternak, Hannah Peck, Corvin Russell, Crystal Sinclair, Aman Sium, Rebeka Tabobondung
You can check out full event info at defendersoftheland.org/toronto
From the film Smoke Signals, Thomas, played by Evan Adams, tells the story of Victor's Mom's legendary frybread.
"Frybread that can walk across water, frybread rising from the dead..."
STREAM: Dey & Nite - "Walk It Out" WALK IT OUT by dey-nite
You can check out the rest of the Top 40 list for the National Aboriginal Music Countdown at their website: aboriginalmusiccountdown.ca
All long-time musicians, these Oklahoma-based boys got together to make some music for fun. However they quickly found there was an audience for their mix of country rock who were ready to dance all night long, from flatbed trailer gigs to casino shows, from Oklahoma City to Nashville. Their debut album Ringo Manor is named for the home studio where the band writes and records. They sent us the album to check out and this track is our current favourite.
Songs of the Land November 16 - Murray Porter, Leanne Goose and Gabriel Ayala perform at the VIFF VanCity Theatre in Vancouver, BC, in support of Full Circle. More info: Songs of the Land A Benefit for Full Circle.
Cris Derksen and Christa Couture November 17-20 - Cris and Christa, along with the band E.S.L., head to Vancouver Island, BC, for gigs at Logan's Pub, Victoria (November 17th), Char's Landing in Port Alberni (18th), The Garage Showroom in Duncan (19th) and The Waverly in Cumberland (20th). More info: Christa Couture, Cris Derksen & E.S.L. Vancouver Island Tour.
Manitoba Aboriginal Artists Showcase November 17 - Toronto, here is your chance to catch some of Manitoba's finest artists! Manitoba Music's Aboriginal Music Program presents Cassidy Mann, Ali Fontaine, Vince Fontaine with Eagle & Hawk and Lorenzo at The Rivoli, Toronto, ON. More info: Manitoba Aboriginal Artists Showcase.
Fire in the Sky November 17 - Many of Turtle Island's hottest artists will be in Toronto for the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards this weekend but you can also catch a few of the best at the Hard Rock Cafe in Toronto, ON. Brock Stonefish, Leanne Goose, Pura Fe, Gabriel Ayala, The Johnnys and Jasper will be performing. More info: Fire in the Sky - Hard Rock Cafe Toronto.
The Canadian Aboriginal Festival and Music Awards November 18 - Celebrate the best in Canadian Aboriginal Music at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Friday night, and take in the powwow and marketplace over the weekend at the Better Living Centre Exhibition Place, in Toronto, ON. More info: canab.com.
The Travelling Man Mixtape Tour November 17-21 - Wake Self and DJ Young Native are hitting the road together with consecutive stops in Logan, UT, Salt Lake City, UT, Boise, ID, Duangro, CO, and Gallup, NM. More info: The Traveling Man Mixtape Tour.
Silver Jackson November 18-19 - Silver Jackson celebrates the release of his new album with two nights at The Alaskan, Juneau, AK. More info: artistdata.sonicbids.com/silver-jackson.
Electric Powwow November 18 - A Tribe Called Red brings their dance party to El Mocambo in Toronto, ON. More info: Electric Pow Wow in Toronto.
Squamish Nation National Addictions Awareness Week Powwow 2011 November 19-20 - Host drum is Travelling Spirit at Totem Hall, Squamish, BC. More info: Squamish Nation National Addictions Awareness Week Powwow 2011.
The Best of Aboriginal Blues November 19 - Murray Porter, Bitterly Divine and Sean "Blues Puppy" Riquelme perform at The Yale, Vancouver, BC. This will be the last Aboriginal Blues night at The Yale before it closes for a year of upgrades. More info: 'The Best of Aboriginal Blues' at Vancouver's The Yale.
Big Dan has just released his second solo album All or None: The American Burden. He has been writing, recording and performing for over 7 years and describes it as a positive outlet: "It is my therapy...it is more than just to entertain people, it is to edu-tain."
A child of Mexican immigrants who grew up in the inner city projects of Oakland, he ended up in Juvenile Hall several times and wants others to learn from his mistakes. Having earned a degree in Ethnic Studies from from the University of California Berkeley, he works as a case manager for at risk teenagers and takes the opportunity to speak at youth centers, detention facilities and academic institutions all over the country.
With the multiple, intersecting layers of colonial history south of Turtle Island, Indigenous identity and language can become an interesting topic of discussion and debate.
Big Dan describes himself as MeXIKANO:"Around my parents and family I identify as Mexican; around my music and friends I identify as XiKANO. So I have just decided to put them both in and say MeXIKANO. This means that I know my history, culture, and about my people Indigenously."
For the first time he chose to write Mi Tierra (My Land), one of the title tracks on his new album, completely in Spanish. It is a special project for him because it shows the progress hip-hop has made as something that resonates internationally. The hook translates as:
“block by block, and to all of my people putting in their positive efforts, crossing borders, not knowing if we will be back, with this song, I dedicate to my land”
Big Dan's latest album All or None: the American Burden is now available for sale on iTunes and check out officialbigdan.com for more info, free downloads and updates on his latest musical projects.
Here is the video for Mi Tierra (My Land) by Big Dan:
Revolutions Per Minute is a global new music platform, record label, and boutique agency for Indigenous music culture. RPM’s mission is to build a visionary community of Indigenous artists and to introduce Indigenous music to new audiences across Turtle Island and around the world. Our main site, RPM.fm, has featured the work of more than 500 Indigenous artists and shared their music across our social networks of more than 275,000 followers.
RPM Records is the first of its kind: a label for contemporary, cross-genre Indigenous music, run by Indigenous people. Selected by The FADER as one of “5 New Canadian Record Labels The Entire World Should Know”, RPM Records artists include Ziibiwan, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Exquisite Ghost, and Mob Bounce.
