The social justice organization will hold events at the film festival Jan. 21 and 22.

By Rebecca Sun

Courtesy of IllumiNative

Sundance will continue to see a number of first-time official “houses” dedicated to specific cultural groups during the 2023 festival. IllumiNative, the Indigenous social justice organization founded in 2018, will host the inaugural Indigenous House on Main Street in Park City from Jan. 21 and 22.

“The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation. The Indigenous House is a celebration of the contributions made by Native creatives, artists, filmmakers and the creativity, beauty and strength of Native peoples,” IllumiNative founder and executive director Crystal Echo Hawk said in a statement. “Our hope is to create a space where Native and non-Native peoples can come together in community, learn and get inspired, acknowledge the barriers Native peoples have overcome and still face in the film industry, as well as celebrate the Native films selected for this year and the opportunities in the future to bring more Native stories, talent and voices to audiences.”

The two-day schedule of events will include dinners and panel discussions that integrate film with music, fashion and food. Themes discussed will focus on Native impact on pop culture and society, including: Indigenous women and women of color in entertainment; the growing role of tribes as well as Native talent and companies in the film industry; the importance and impact of visibility and representation; and the contribution of Native creatives, activists and other leaders in the entertainment industry.

At Indigenous House, IllumiNative is also expected to unveil its new research on the impact of Native films and television shows on audiences, as well as offer opportunities to partner with and invest in Indigenous creatives and Indian Country. The house is made possible with support from Open Society Foundations, the Pechanga Band of Indians, Pop Culture Collaborative, Decolonizing Wealth Project, The Christensen Fund, Culture Change Fund, MacArthur Foundation and Nielsen.

Hip Hop artist gambles on new direction in Country music, wins Okimaw Award, more winter performances and a new single thats going strong

CANCON – INDIGENOUS  – ALBERTA

Happy new year music family! 

When Edmonton based Indigenous artist Rellik ventured away from Hip Hop, and chose to explore the boundaries of music, he was heading into uncharted waters.

But after a full album and 2 years worth of performances throughout North America, his feet are now wet within the Country music market.

“It was such a roll of the dice for me. I had just had an amazing run  in Hip Hop, won major awards and was being plastered and placed all over the spectrum, but I knew there was a world beyond Rap music for me and I needed to do this.”

Fresh off the heels of an award win at Edmonton’s city hall at the 2022 Okimaw Awards which celebrates Indigenous men who display leadership qualities in their communities, Rellik has a brand new single, This Town, which is doing well on local radio stations as well as syndicated shows throughout North America and around the globe including CFWE/ CJWE , CBC RADIO ONE Key of A , Tunes from Turtle Island across Europe , U.K and Australia, Julian Taylors Jukebox, and Indigenous in Music with Larry K and the NV1 Network which syndicates across 200+ stations to name but a few.

While the new single is still picking up steam following the Christmas break, Rellik is also scheduled to perform at this year’s Deep Freeze Festival on January 21 and 22nd as well as tour support for Ishkode Records Artist, Aysnabee who rolls through Edmonton on February 10th at the Aviary.

Hear more about the new single here!

Download press kit and all assets here!

Rellik is available for features or interviews and greatly appreciates any media coverage.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected]

780-887-6291

[email protected]    

www.jessitoms.com

ANOTHER NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC ROCK ICON LOST

Lifetime Achievement recipient Lee Tiger (Miccosukee) of the premiere Native rock group who helped forge a Native rock music movement with his brother Stephen in Tiger Tiger, has died. He passed from an illness at the age of 72. According to his brother William Tiger, a memorial service was held on Tuesday morning, January 10th 2023 at the Woodlawn Park South in Miami, Florida.

Lee and his brother Stephen Tiger of Tiger Tiger were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Eighth Annual Native American Music Awards held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida in 2006. The brothers were recognized for their 40-plus year career achievements as innovators of the early Native American rock music movement.  In their recipient speech Lee stated, “We’re trying to educate people through music.” Stephen provided encouragement to the younger generation and said, “If you have the talent, stick with it. Believe in yourself. Believe in our Breathmaker. Let your talent flow.  Be strong and one of these days something good will happen to you.” https://youtu.be/guEpr62TmbM

Sadly, their presence at the Awards would be the brothers’ final public appearance together. Tragically, Stephen Tiger died of a head injury after an accidental fall in his Miami home. He was 57 years old. Later that year, Lee completed the recordings he and his brother were last working on and released, “Eye of the Tiger” and
and “Native To This Country.” Seven years after the death of his brother, Lee began recording again and released several more albums as a solo artist.  In 2013, he recorded and released his first solo album entitled, “New Era”. Two years later, he released, “Chapter I: The Adventure Called Life” album. In 2017, he released “One Earth One People Come Together Chapter II” and re-released a remixed version of the title song in April 2021 which would be his last. A jacket worn by Lee is part of the memorabilia collection at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida recognizing him as a Native American rock pioneer.

Lee first started performing in the 1960’s with his brother Stephen Tiger as Tiger Tiger and continued together until their last album in 2006. The group sang of the love of their land in the Everglades set in their unique rock pop format with mainstream appeal.  Tiger Tiger successfully transcended Native and non-Native culture through their artistry. They performed from coast to coast as well as internationally and shared stages with such rock icons as; Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chicago, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, the Grateful Dead, Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Starship, and Johnny Winter among others. The band toured across the United States, Spain, Germany, South America and Europe. They released three albums on the ESP and Soar/Warrior labels, and one on their own imprint, TTM Records. Their debut album was entitled, “Dream Scout” and released in 1996. Their second recording was “Southern Exposure” in 2000 followed by “Peace from the Everglades” in 2005, a dedication to the survival of the Miccosukee and Seminole people of Florida which received a nomination from the Grammys, and several Native American Music Award nominations. 

Stephen and Lee Tiger grew up on what is now the Miccosukee reservation  located near Miami. When the two were young boys, they found two plastic guitars in a pile of toys that were delivered for children in their village. Lee Tiger had recalled, “We tuned them up and we started learning to play off those things. It worked.”  Their first gigs were in the Everglades until Lee and Stephen moved to Los Angeles. Lee did a stint with an act called, The Seven of Us, which later became NRBQ.  Stephen had formed a band in Los Angeles, called Sun Country which then became Tiger Tiger. But their father, Chief Buffalo Tiger, the first chief of the Miccosukee after the tribe split from the Seminole, brought them back home to help launch the Miccosukee Indian Arts Festival. This led to Lee’s other involvement in tourism and Stephen’s work in public relations for the tribe while they followed their true passion and continued to forge a Native American rock movement for the next 30 years.

Lee’s very last recording was the rerelease of his song off his solo album effort entitled, “One Earth, One People, Come Together” in April 2021. He played most of the instruments on the album. The song was a tribute to the legacy he created with his brother Stephen and aimed to be a rock and roll anthem for global unity and a call to action to protect the environment. 

News of Lee Tiger’s passing was immediately embraced by both members of the Miccosukee and Seminole nations as well as the Native American music community. Multiple award winner, and rock recording artist, Cody Blackbird of the Blackbird Band called Lee, “A true Legend” and fondly remembered when Lee invited him to play at the Miccosukee Tribal festival and the friendships he made there. 

Lee is survived by his sons, Eric and Calvin Tiger, and daughter, Summer Tiger, and several grandchildren. Lee will be deeply missed by his family and friends but has left a legacy of great music. Journey well Lee.

www.NAMALIVE.com

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ACTRESS AND ACTIVIST, SACHEEN LITTLEFEATHER WALKS ON

Actress, model and activist, Sacheen LittleFeather, who made headlines for calling attention to discrimination and injustice against American Indians by publicly rejecting Marlon Brando’s Oscar for his role in “The Godfather” onstage at the Academy Awards  has died. 

Of White Mountain Apache and Yaqui heritage on her father’s side, Sacheen Cruz Littlefeather appeared at the Academy Awards on behalf of Marlon Brando on March 27, 1973  and read a statement to protest Hollywood’s portrayal and mistreatment of American Indians. She addressed offensive cliches of American Indians perpetuated on film and television and drew attention to recent happenings at Wounded Knee. She created one of the most poignant and historic moments in Oscar history that was met with both booing and applause in front of a live audience and an estimated 85 million television viewers. 

According to the Academy, the 26-year-old Ms. Littlefeather was the first Native American woman to appear onstage at the Oscars. Littlefeather had known Marlon Brando for about a year before she stepped onto the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on his behalf. She declined the award he had received for playing Mafia boss Vito Corleone in “The Godfather.” Addressing the audience in a buckskin dress and moccasins, she explained that Brando, an activist for Native American rights, had written “a very long speech” but that she was unable to deliver it “because of time.” According to the Washington Post, she later said that the show’s producer, Howard W. Koch had threatened to have her arrested if she spoke for more than a minute. 

Prior to her appearance, the Oscars steered clear of politics and social issues. But Littlefeather’s speech made a groundbreaking change. And she had closed her statement, “I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon the evening and that we will in the future, our hearts and our understandings, will be met with love and generousity.”

Today, actors and filmmakers often use their acceptance speeches to call out other injustices. Recently, she returned to the Academy as an invited guest of honor for an evening of reflection at the Academy”s museum.

On September 17th, 2022, she received a formal apology from the Academy. Littlefeather said she was “stunned” by the apology. “I never thought I’d live to see the day I would be hearing this, experiencing this,” she said. Littlefeather had been suffering from breast cancer and died at her home in California on Sunday. Journey well Sacheen Littlefeather.

Watch Sacheen’s statement at the Oscars in 1973 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QUacU0I4yU

NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
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CampusNick Estes presents the thoughts behind his book to USD students and community. Submitted

September 20th, 2022 Zadya Abbott Campus, Student Life 0 comments

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On Sept. 15 the South Dakota Book of the Year author made a visit to Farber Hall. Nick Estes is a historian based out of Minneapolis. His novel, “Our History is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance” was published in 2019 and won the 2022 SD Book of the Year.

Estes is a USD alumni. He regards the university as the first environment that offered him the opportunity to write in his own language with others that were learning as well.

From there he would write the first sections of his award-winning novel for his dissertation. The novel largely follows the story of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the protest that followed the controversy.

“It shows that Indigenous values are universal values,” Estes said.

The talk, Q&A and book signing was organized by Director of Native Recruitment and Alumni Engagement, John Little. It was sponsored by the Wiyuskinyan Unpi Tipi Living Learning Community, Native Students Services and the USD Sustainability Program.

After the research process was completed, Estes said it took him roughly four weeks to write out the novel. Something he originally did entirely by hand before transferring the words to type.

During the Q&A, J’leigh WhiteWhirlwind, a freshman and member of the Wiyuskinyan Unpi Tipi Living Learning Community, asked Estes about any advice he may have for undergraduate students, as both an alumni and an author.

“Go to class,” Estes said. “Even if you haven’t read, go to class. It is true what they say about 90% of life being showing up.”

The first 25 students to arrive at the event were given a free copy of Estes’ novel. This was partially due to Nick Estes’ refusal of a pay stipend for the event and instead he purchased additional books for students.

USD junior, and Tiospaye President, Rachel Overstreet, attended the event with several of her peers.

“He’s a really good example of a Native scholar who is changing the way that we think about Native history in South Dakota,” Overstreet said. “And even beyond that, he also is a really good role model for students who might be interested in future scholarships.”

At the end of the event each of the attendees were given the opportunity to have their books signed. Those that took advantage of that opportunity had a hand-written reminder from Estes, “Remember Our Stories.”

Author and entrepreneur Sarabeth Holden is happy to announce her second children’s book Benny the Bananasaurus Rex, published by Inhabit Media Inc., with illustrations by Emma Pedersen, will be available in Canada on September 20, 2022. Sarabeth Holden will also host a free book launch celebration on September 24 at Community Centre 55 in Toronto.

Benny loves bananas. He eats them morning, noon, and night. He even rides a bike with a yellow banana seat. In fact, Benny has a secret – he hopes one day he will turn into a banana! If there is one thing Benny knows, it’s that with a little imagination anything is possible.

Benny the Bananasaurus Rex is a funny and relatable story of a little boy who can be anything he wants to be (whether it’s a dinosaur, or a banana, or both!) with a big imagination and a bit of help from his anaana.

“Readers will notice that Benny calls his mom “Anaana,” and they might think it’s because it rhymes with “banana”. Anaana is the Inuktitut word for mom, and it’s the name that we use in our house because it is part of our Inuit heritage,” said Sarabeth Holden. “Grandmother is “Anaanatsiaq.” Benny shortens the word to call his grandmother “Siaq” as his term of endearment for her. I decided to use this wee bit of Inuktitut in this English book because I know we’re not the only home who uses different terms for family members, even though English may be the primary language spoken in our home.”

A multifaceted and well-rounded entrepreneur, Sarabeth Holden loves to cook, write, and be active – whether in sports or community action. In 2020 alone Sarabeth released her debut book Please Don’t Change My Diaper, and opened the bespoke Red Tape Brewery with her husband Sean. Sarabeth has worked as Senior Policy Advisor with the Government of Ontario, volunteered with several Indigenous organizations, and is the President of the Toronto Inuit Association. Sarabeth lives in Toronto with Sean, and their two young sons.

Benny the Bananasaurus Rex is published by Inhabit Media Inc., the first Inuit-owned, independent publishing company in the Canadian Arctic. Inhabit Media aims to promote and preserve the stories, knowledge, and talent of the Arctic, while also supporting research in Inuit mythology and the traditional Inuit knowledge of Nunavummiut (residents of Nunavut, Canada’s northernmost territory). The authors, storytellers, and artists bring traditional knowledge to life in a way that is accessible to readers both familiar and unfamiliar with Inuit culture and traditions. 

Benny the Bananasaurus Rex
Book Launch
Saturday, September 24
2-4pm 
Community Centre 55, 97 Main Street 
Toronto, Ontario
Free 

Media Contact: Damien Nelson, [email protected]