A Tribe Called Red, a Canadian electronic music band, teaches about the issues of Aboriginal peoples in Canada and gives hope for a better future
Aboriginal peoples in Canada have been facing numerous problems over the past years, namely colonization, discrimination and abuse, murders of native women etc. A Tribe Called Red, a Canadian electronic music group, is trying to educate people all over the world about the issues. Their goal is to raise awareness, encourage acceptance and tolerance, but also help the native people figure out their identity.
"A Tribe Called Red promotes inclusivity, empathy and acceptance amongst all races and genders in the name of social justice. They believe that indigenous people need to define their identity on their own terms. If you share this vision, then you are already part of the Halluci Nation." (A Tribe Called Red's official site)
The band sometimes use a play of words, e.g. they call themselves Halluci Nation or Alie Nation to emphasize the fact that they have been ignored by the majority for a long time through history. Fortunately, thanks to the use of modern music combined with the traditional native instruments and meaningful lyrics, they are able to reach large audiences and make a difference. They have made a great impact on especially young people. Many Aboriginal people, not only from Canada, have been inspired and motivated by the music to fight for their rights and oppose the discrimination. In their video "The Halluci Nation's Messages," we can listen to different people grateful and thankful for what the band does. Here are just a few examples:
"Hey, guys. I just want to let you know that you guys inspired me. I was picked by the white kids at my school, because of my heritage, because of my race. I want you to know that you bring me hope and the unity. We stand together and make each other stronger"
"Thanks for bringing the message guys. I see who the real mother is now - the Earth. I just listen to you everyday. Thanks a lot, guys."
"That's amazing. Y'all are changing the world. Please, keep up the good work."
"I look forward to learn more about various nations and culture and how I can be an ally to the Halluci Nation. Thank you."
"Burn your village to the ground" - a song about the horrible truth
In this song, ATCL talks about the horrible things Europeans have done to indigenous people. White people came to the native land, claimed it their property and destroyed everything - not only natural landscapes, but also indigenous people who were discriminated against, abused or even murdered on daily basis. The majority culture has taken over the land, ignoring the First Nations and their rights. The band are not afraid to tell the truth about colonization openly. They are resilient and will keep fighting in order not to be wiped out of THEIR land. Additionally, the song poses many questions since the words "I will burn your village to the ground" are uttered by a native girl. Is it a threat for white people? Is it a metaphor? It's hard to say what the band means by these words.
"You have taken the land which is rightfully ours Years from now, my people will be forced to live in mobile homes on reservations"
"You will play golf and enjoy hot hors d'oeuvres My people will have pain and degradation "
"Everything's been ruined They don't care about people living on that land It's a religious disaster, it's like genocide"
"[Reporter] Hundreds of indigenous women, murdered or missing in Canada"
"[John Trudell] Sometimes they have to kill us. They have to kill us. Because they can't break our spirit"
"The virus" - the virus of violence is spreading
A Tribe Called Red mentions the problem of violence and abuse against the native people many times. Because of the system of residential schools, indigenous children were separated from their families. European people were and still are idifferent to their suffering and deny the reality of what the nation has been really through. Although the indigenous people deal with numerous difficulties, they do not give up and try to be recognized and treated as human beings. Hopefully, this music band will make people aware of the problems in Canada and make inspire some people to change, to be better people, respectful to each other.
"The virus took on many shapes
"The women and children were separated from the men They're divided as a foot into the regional filters of their minds The violence of arrogance, crawls into the air, nestles into the geospatial cortex"
"We are not a conquered people"
"The OG" - a song in protest
In one of their songs, "The OG", they use Romeo Saganash's words as lyrics, which they found important and worth noting. Romeo Saganash is a Canadian Cree politician, a member of the New Democratic Party. He was Member of Parliament from 2011 to 2019. In 2018, he opposed the expansion of a pipeline in British Columbia on all aboriginal people's behalf who wanted to protect the land from further industrial damage. To show their support, ATCR decided to publish a song with Saganash's statement.
“When the prime minister says that this pipeline expansion will be done no matter what, and his minister adds that Canada will not be able to accommodate all indigenous concerns, what that means is that they have decided to willfully violate their constitutional duties and obligations. Speaker, sounds like a most important relationship, doesn’t it? Why doesn’t the prime minister just say the truth and tell indigenous peoples that he doesn’t give a f*** about their rights?”
There is no doubt that the native people of Canada have suffered a lot throughout the history - colonization, exclusion, discrimination and abuse. Kids were separated from their families and put in residential schools. People have been ignored and their rights have been violated by not considering their opinion in changing the land, bulding roads, piepelines and buildings. Indigenous women are still disappearing and being murdered and the authorities are of no help. Fortunately, Aboriginal peoples do not give up fighting and are trying to make their way through the hardships. Thanks to such people as A Tribe Called Red, there is motivation and determination among the native people to maintain the unity. Significantly, not only are they able to teach the whole world about their situation, but they also encourage mutual respect and love of nature. With the power of social media and millions of views on YouTube, they are able to spread their mission.
If you are interested in the modern native music, you can check out the band's
YouTube channel. Below are videos discussed in the article.
the band's official website: http://atribecalledred.com/