RPM Artist Minute: Kinnie Starr – “Women + Sex + Music”
In our second RPM Artist Minute, hip-hop chanteuse Kinnie Starr talks candidly about women and sexuality in the music business.Kinnie is widely known for blazing trails for women in hip-hop through the strength, authenticity and openness in both the music she creates, and the messages she conveys in conversation.
She has challenged the industry’s commodification of beauty, but has also used the tools to her advantage. How does she strike a balance? Director Louvens Remy sat down with Kinnie to find out.
Director/Cinematography/Editing: Louvens Remy / Blacksunrise Pictures.
The full interactive Digital Drum website will be here soon. ---- If you have an event, show, or media you would like to share, click on "your beats" and share it with Digital Drum. ---- Although we do like to focus on traditional cultural content, Aboriginal people are comprised of modern cultures identified by our art, language and lifestyle, both historical and current. We are using the Digital Drum blog for now, but in the near future we will be releasing a full interactive website in which content can be shared. It will be an online Aboriginal Community to share with all. You will be able to use your Google+ or Facebook accounts to connect. We aren’t creating another social networking site, but rather a tool to become an online Aboriginal Community with the tools we are already using online. A place for live, interactive Cultural Evolution.
Ottawa’s relationship with Assembly of First Nations makes some natives uneasy
Manitoba chiefs have joined those in Saskatchewan in condemning an action plan to improve the lives of native people, saying it was crafted without their input by the Assembly of First Nations and the federal government.
Read More (click headline)…
Canada's response to missing aboriginal women and girls inadequate: Report
Canada’s response to violence against aboriginal women and girls has been inadequate, Canadian human rights groups have told a United Nations committee.
Read More (click headline)…
We are all responsible for the plight of Canada’s first nations
There has been movement – real movement – on the aboriginal file. While signs of despair are abundant, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology, on behalf of all Canadians, about Indian residential schools was a major step toward reconciliation. This month, the release of major report on the management and funding of first-nations education, represented a significant response to the most fundamental challenge facing aboriginal communities, namely underperformance in school. As all participants, governments and aboriginal leaders alike, will quickly agree that it is not enough. The problem: There is no consensus about what to do next.
Click link to Read More.
Government still trying to assimilate aboriginals by underfunding child welfare, natives argue
OTTAWA — The federal government continues to use assimilationist policies — such as those perpetrated by decades of residential schools — by consistently underfunding child-welfare agencies that provide services to First Nations children on reserve, a counsel for the Assembly of First Nations said Tuesday in Ottawa.
Read more: http://www.canada.com/news/Government+still+trying+assimilate+aboriginals+underfunding+child+welfare+natives+argue/6153363/story.html#ixzz1maM1KNJQ
The Songweavers Studio program, hosted by the Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association’s (KAYA) in Vancouver, is a free youth recording studio with the goal to empower the voice of Aboriginal youth. This month, Songweavers is presenting Musical Medicine Week - five days of workshops, community and music.
By providing access to gear, support and know-how for youth ages 14-29 who are interested in creating music, Songweavers is a safe venue for creative expression. From the Songweavers press release, Local Indigenous musicians educating Indigenous youth interested in culture:
Songweavers Studio Musical Medicine Week will utilize the knowledge and wisdom of local Indigenous musicians to educate Indigenous youth interested in music culture. By sharing an introductory understanding of how the music industry works, as well as teachings from traditional Indigenous music culture, Musical Medicine Week aims to provide youth with the tools to create a sustainable career in the Indigenous music industry.
RPM is one of the supporters of Musical Medicine Week – we love nothing more than to see emerging artists and young voices creating work! – and RPM contributors Christa Coutureand Ron Dean Harris, aka Ostwelve, are among the mentors presenting workshops.
If you’re in Vancouver, check it out! All ages, and all are welcome.
Get the full schedule and info here: http://rpm.fm/news/songweavers-studio-musical-medicine-week/
The new RPM podcast is up!
RPM Podcast #013: “Motherhood”
In episode 13, RPM looks at Indigenous motherhood and music.
Many nations around Turtle Island have references in their oral traditions and prophecies about the important role of the 7th Generation. This concept refers to the 7th Generation to be born after contact with European settlers and how we must live our lives in a sustainable way making sure the earth is sustainable for 7 generations to come. The people with the most direct connection to the next 7th generations are, of course, our mothers.
Episode #013 of the RPM Podcast hosted by Ostwelve explores three Indigenous mothers who happen to also be active musicians. Lakota Jones (Mohawk, Cherokee, Lakota) credits her children as her biggest supporters. Inez (Sto:lo) went on tour and was surprised to see that some communities were uncomfortable with her breastfeeding her son. Eekwol (Muskoday First Nation) shares stories about how music helped her heal from post-partum depression. All three women are learning how to juggle their careers with their new found commitment to raising the next generation.
DOWNLOAD: The Snake Oil Salesmen – “Be Okay”
By Ron Dean HarrisThis week’s RPM music download comes from the new basement recordings by The Snake Oil Salesmen out of Regina, Saskatchewan - the song Be Okay.
The Snake Oil Salesmen (Little Black Bear)have been playing the open mic circuit in Regina, Saskatchewan, for years and have now come together as a collective to record some tracks.Be Okay is an alternative-folk-rock tune with a relaxed groove and a story to tell. The vibe is indicative of the style of music coming out of Regina’s acoustic scene these days and we recommend taking the lyrics to heart – just come out and play, step into our haze, dance your cares away…
Stay on the lookout for more from The Snake Oil Salesmen coming soon!
Check out this event!!!
Project of Heart: Have a Heart for First Nations Children
Place: Federal Court inside the Supreme Court of Canada
301 Wellington Street, Ottawa ON
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm (breaks at 10:30am, 12pm, and 2:30pm)
Date: February 13,14, and 15th
Purpose: To appeal the decision by the chair of Human Rights Tribunal Hearings on whether or not the federal government is treating First Nations children fairly.
On February 26, 2007, the Assembly of First Nations(AFN) and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society(FNCFCS) filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission(CHRC) alleging that Canada is racially discriminating against First Nations children by providing less child welfare funding, and ths benefits, on reserves.
However, the government of Canada used a legal loophole to dismiss the case. The loophole is that Canada is saying that they “fund” the services to the First Nations children, they do not “provide” the services. Canada says its funding, no matter how inequitable, is not a service and thus they should not be held accountable under the Canadian Human Rgihts Act. Canada’s failure to ensure culturally based equity in its First Nations Child and Family Service Program and to fully implement Jordans Principle is discriminatory according the the FNCFCS and the AFN.
There will be 5 parties(organizations) that will be presenting their opinion and legal arguments (factum) at the Appeal. They are the FNCFCS, the AFN, The Human Rights Commission, the Chiefs of Ontario, and Amnesty International. The responent (Canada) wll also present its argument and will be last to do so. The FNCFCS the AFN will speak on day one. The CHRC and Chiefs of Ontario will speak on day two. Day three will see Amnesty International present their position and lastly, the Government of Canada, represented by the Attorney General, will close the session.
The more people. ESPECIALLY YOUTH that come to witness this event, the greater the message to Canada that the government cannot get away with violating basic human rights of FN children!!
RPM IS HIRING
RPM is hiring! Apply by Friday 5pm PST for the Digital Media Intern position. Info here: http://rpm.fm/jobs/ #jobs #Indigenous
