Anyone who knows me knows how much I love and represent for Aboriginal DJ group, A Tribe Called Red. Here’s a video that might give you a glimpse into why that is.
As an urban Indian with what is best described as a “pan-Indian” identity, these talented artists produce music that bridges the gap between traditional and modern; Native and mainstream. I connect with their musical movement so deeply, that each piece feels like another song in the soundtrack of my life.
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do and it cures any lingering Monday blues. Have a great week, y’all!
And, remember: It’s [always] a great day to be Indigenous!
Screenshot of of the LIVE webcast of “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” organized by the United Nations Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
The panelists were: Nils Johan Heatta, Chairman of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network; J. Kehaulani Kauanui, a professor at Wesleyan University and radio producer; and Angel Tibán Guala, Director of the television of Movimiento Indígena Campesino de Cotopaxi (TV MICC).
Our expert discussants were: Monika Ille – Director of Programming, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada; Keoni Lee – General Manager, ‘Ōiwi TV, Hawai’i; Emil Her Many Horses (Ogala Lakota, United States), National Museum of the American Indian, “Our voices on the Air : Reaching new audiences through indigenous radio”
And, we screened videos from: Komi Television (Russian Federation); TV MICC (Ecuador); Indigenous Information Network (Kenya); DJ Atama Katama (Malaysia)
I was thrilled that there was tons of buzz on Twitter and Facebook about the day and the panel itself, especially given the significance social media has in enabling every day people to share news that is important to them without the costs required for a broadcast TV studio or radio station.
I really thought I’d be nervous moderating the panel (which lasted nearly 4 1/2hours!), but I wasn’t. I felt really comfortable sitting on stage, leading the conversation and soliciting questions from the audience.
The highlight of the day was getting to meet U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon! Aside from providing a poignant address, he took a great photo!
Amy Stretten with United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
Another fun moment was the interview I did before the panel with a Slovenian radio station:
Thank you to everyone who entered my logo design contest at 99designs.com! And, thank you to everyone who gave me their input on the designs I was considering!
Here is the design I have chosen…I hope you like it!
Click the photo to sign up for updates on the launch of NativeRemix.com!
NativeRemix.com is a multimedia arts + culture news site for Indigenous youth of the U.S. and Canada that is currently in development. The site will feature work created by artistic Native talent from all parts of Indian Country with a focus on the younger, Indigenous audience.
We are currently looking for writers/bloggers as well as Native artists (musicians, singers, DJs, dancers, painters, photographers, videographers, fashion designers, etc.) who would like to be featured on our site. We also welcome advertisers who are interested in reaching our target audience.
If you, or someone you know, would like to be a part of NativeRemix.com, please send an e-mail to: editor@NativeRemix.com!
Below is a video about our “pitch day” – when I won a seed grant to fund the project!
The mission of the site is to provide creative, culturally relevant content to Native youth, highlighting the growing international Indigenous artistic movement. (So, instead of focusing on sad, depressing news – you know, those stereotypical stories EVERYONE has heard over and over again – we’ll focus on the inspiring, uplifting stuff.) And, I’m lucky to have an amazing team of Native content producers on board to help me get this project off the ground!
Those are just some of our ideas…We want your ideas, too!
The purpose of the site is to expand the platform Native artists currently have and be the “go to” place for creative Native content from all corners of Turtle Island! We’re taking a for us/by us approach to reporting on the Native art world.
With that said, we’re still looking for writers, content producers, and advertisers. If you want to share your take on the latest Native fashion trend or artistic movement in your community, send your thoughts to us at editor@nativeremix.com. We welcome content submissions from any and all Native writers, bloggers, journalists, artists, and fans alike! This is your opportunity to add your voice to the conversation and have people take note.
If you have a product or business (say, an Etsy store or t-shirt company) that you would like to advertise to Native youth (age 14-34) and the young at heart!, consider being one of our founding advertisers and e-mail editor@nativeremix.com for more information about incentives and our ad rates.
Please sign up for updates on the site and our scheduled launch date, by signing up at NativeRemix.com! (You will be rewarded with a free A Tribe Called Red album download for doing so.)
…Please help us out and spread the word – Our success depends on you!
You can follow NativeRemix.com on Twitter (@TheNativeRemix) and “like” us on Facebook (FB/NativeRemix)! Your support is much appreciated!!!
And, again: If you, or someone you know, would like to contribute to the site or be featured by one of our writers/content producers, please be in touch! E-mail editor@nativeremix.com to submit comments/questions/suggestions, story ideas, etc.
So, how can you win $200? It’s easy! – Just enter my contest at 99designs.com and create a winning logo for the NativeRemix brand! If you’re not a designer, you could encourage a friend who is a designer to enter and split the winnings however you see fit!
I would LOVE for a Native designer to win, so please tell all of your friends to take a shot!
Have a great weekend…and good luck to anyone who enters!
Ottawa-based Aboriginal DJ group, A Tribe Called Red, has just announced their upcoming Summer ’12 tour dates! I am thrilled that they will be returning to New York City on May 31st for a performance at SOBs! (I will definitely be there…let me know if you will, too!)
Here are the dates the group has scheduled so far. I highly recommend you check them out! An “Electric Pow Wow” is something everyone should experience at least once…if not regularly! 😉
May 3: Toronto – Drake Underground
May 4: Vancouver – W2 Café
May 12: Ottawa – Electric PowWow @ Babylon
May 26: Montreal – Festival Sight&Sounds @ Eastern Bloc
May 31: NY – SOBs
June 19: Winnipeg – Winnipeg Jazz Fest
Sign up for tour updates and newly scheduled shows on their Facebook events page. I suggest you post a comment there and request a tour date for your city…people are already starting to do so! Maybe ATCR will be able to stop by a venue near you!
Check out the profile piece I shot/produced/edited about A Tribe Called Red (featuring commentary from Native American arts + culture journalist, Vincent Schilling) and the growing “traditional Native culture remix” movement – I think I may coin this term 🙂 – after meeting up with the group during ImagineNative in Toronto last fall!
I just stumbled upon another great piece of journalistic work by Wab Kinew for CBC News. I’m a huge fan of Kinew’s work and I hope to collaborate with him one day (soon). I’m sure I could learn a great deal from him.
Take a look at this video. Though our experiences in the US aren’t identical to what Canadian Aboriginals faced, there still are many similarities. Can you or your family relate to anything you saw here? Please feel free to share your story.
Ottawa-based DJ Trio, A Tribe Called Red, holds what they call “Electric Pow Wows” in various cities around Canada and the U.S. in an effort to celebrate and preserve their culture. We recently caught up with the group during a performance in Toronto. Here is Amy Stretten with the story.
I can’t wait to attend this year’s ImagineNative film and media arts festival in Toronto next week (October 19-23)! It’s my first time going and I’m really looking forward to what’s in store. 🙂 I really miss Canada and my Aboriginal peeps up there!
Hundreds of families — and their children — are living in Winnipeg hotels after spring flooding ruined their homes. Summer vacation has become a distant hope, as they wait for news of home.
Now, the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg are working together to create a camp for kids stranded in Winnipeg as a result of the floods.
APTN National News reporter Amy Stretten has the details.
The coalition is actively seeking public donations from organizations, corporations, and caring individuals to help fund summer activities for evacuee families. Some examples of contributions include:
CASH: to offset the cost of camps and transportation, healthy snacks, and other supplies Tax receipts are available
VOUCHERS/FREE TICKETS: for families to attend festivals, art, music or sporting events
GOODS-IN-KIND: donations such as arts and craft materials
VOLUNTEERS: to train or teach an activity, for example beading or knitting
DONATION LINE:
The University of Winnipeg
(204) 789-1460
-NativeJournalist
NativeJournalist.com 