Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

The Seven Dancers Coalition held the first in what may be an annual event: The Native Consent Music Festival held at the Mohawk International Raceway on Saturday, July 11, 2015. In a daylong event on a hot summer day the Seven Dancers Coalition reached their goal in bringing awareness and educating community members on Sexual Assault.

Amie Barnes, Director of The Seven Dancers Coalition and instrumental in the organization of this FREE concert stated, "I'm pleased, we reached a high number of community members by hosting a free concert and highlighting the concert with speakers between acts."

The Native Consent concert started with Opening Ceremonies at 11am and wrapped up the concert just after 9pm. In a mix bag of genres ranging from traditional songs by Bear Fox and Singers to well-known and award-winning performers such as Joanne Shenandoah to local rock groups and rappers making their statements.

Left to right; rapper "LB", Tehanerahtaiens, and rapper Jah Kota who is from the Ocean Man First Nation and part Jamaican based out of Ottawa. Photo by Tewasherake.

Jonel Beauvais, acting as the host, introduced a powerful lineup of speakers who were not only direct and straightforward about what is acceptable and respectable in regards to relationships and in sexual relationships but they were also inspiring. Inspiring all to do better and become better people with those you love, those you know and those you would like to know.

Pulling an event of this magnitude together takes a number of sponsors and volunteers such as: The Seven Dancers Coalition, Mohawk International Raceway, The Three Sisters Program, the St. Regis Tribal Police, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Social Services Division, Akwesasne Community Partnership Fund, Brass Horse Grill, Sylvia Skidders Decorations, Akwesasne TV Placid Productions, Hurlbut Tent Rentals, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, and volunteers; Cory Jocko, Kenkiokwine and Tewasherake Barnes, Brian Barnes and Victoria Ransom.

Performers included; King Kimbit, Star Mason, Daygot Leeyos, Mark Light and Forest Light, DJ Danforth, Ray Sunday, Joanne Shenandoah, Kerdi Mitcho, Jah Kota & LB, The Northstars, Bear Fox and Singers, Arcane Belief, JOC, Joey Stylez with Carsen Gray and Mariame.