Holy GOD!!!
Oh my God (I'm trying to be a good little boy; posting this on the Video thread) - there is rarely a time when a new musical group rocks me to my boots; but it has happened here.
The band is A Tribe Called Red - a collection of Cree and Algonquin artists who blend traditional Indian music with modern hip-hop.
There is so much passion, power and dignity in this recording I can't begin to describe it. From that first wild warriors' scream a few seconds in; I was utterly nailed to my seat. I am white - this song almost makes me regret that fact. Not for what Whites have done to the Old People of this country; but for the fact that I as a white man can't truly share the Indian's passion and music.
I looked up A Tribe Called Red on Wikipedia; their entry is regrettably short. I have little doubt it will lengthen considerably in the years to come.
A Tribe Called Red is a hip-hop group employing Native culture; Wikipedia tells us. I state that that is emphatically wrong. This is Indian music; pure and true. It makes use of the latest technologies to roar its message to the world.
I can't stop listening to this recording. It is so powerful, so passionate. I love it...I'm sure you will too.
It is here: (CRANK YOUR VOLUME UP!!!)
One thing: people might take offence at me calling Native Canadians 'Indians'. I used to too. But when I was working in Kitchener, my Lead Hand was a full-blooded Huron named Bob (Robert Fox; if you want to be formal. If you want to be traditional it was Robert Smoke Fox). We were great friends and often discussed White-Indian issues. One day I was searching for a euphamism when he interrupted me. "Where were you born?" Bob asked.
"Toronto" I answered.
"Then you're a native Canadian," he pointed out. "
I'm an
Indian." He laughed and pulled me into a hug. I've never hesitated to use the word 'Indian' since.
