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Period: 15 BCE to
Issues within the Aboriginal Community
Since the beginning of colonization, Native-Canadians have faced many challenges. As a result of their systemic discrimination, poverty, and political marginalization, indigenous people are among the most vulnerable during conflicts, where they can be trapped in the crossfire. These issues and struggles are the driving force for groups and activists like ATCR, since they use their art to express their culture and shed light on these issues. -
Origin of Powwows
The term ''Powwow'' dates back to the early 1800's in which the term derives from a curing ritual, originated in one of the Algonquian nations of the Northeast Indians. Common at the time, Traveling medicine shows selling cures and remedies would hire Native dancers to perform in hopes of bringing in customers.Furthermore, dances were usually associated religious ceremonies and homecoming celebrations. Powwows in the past were confined only to tribe members and friendly neighboring tribes. -
Tribe called Red
As of 2007, A group named 'A tribe called Red' was formed and played a major part in remixing indigenous tradition. The groups name is a homage to the hip hop group ''A tribe called Quest,''who's songs addressed issues within the African-American community. This group describes their music as ''Electric Powwow''/''Powwow-step'' and has taken the traditional throat singing, drum playing etc. and modernized it by adding dub-step so that it is contemporary for the time being. -
Period: to
Activism
In 2013, they issued a public statement asking non-aboriginal fans to refrain from cultural appropriation by not wearing headdresses and war paint to their shows. Furthermore, using their platform to raise awareness for issues that are relevant such as culture appropriation. -
The purpose of A Tribe called Red (ATCR)
Their album, Nation II Nation, was released in 2013 and was named a nominee for the Polaris Music Prize that year. This music group quickly gained recognition since the purpose of this form of artistic expression was to voice Aboriginal culture and history which seemed to be erased. -
Period: to
How their music influences the youth in Canada
ATCR has played an important factor in influencing the youth of Canada, especially since the group originated from Ottawa,Ontario. Because the groups intentions were to make music for electric powwows relevant to this time, the audience is of younger ages. This group helped educate the youth on Aboriginal culture all while bridging the past to the present. The group did this by remixing tradition to stay with the time but did not lose the traditional practice of aboriginal culture.
