Blackfire visits Akwesasne

 

Members of Blackfire made an impromtu stop in Akwesasne on their way to Northern Quebec

Blackfire, a traditional Native American Punk Rock and “Alter-native” music group stopped in Akwesasne this week as they make their way from New Mexico to Waswanipi in Northern Quebec for a concert on August 6. The group planned the impromptu stop in Akwesasne a few days before reaching this area and set up meetings at the Akwesasne Museum and Cultural Center and the Akwesasne Freedom School to learn about Akwesasne history and culture.

A concert was set up in front of Native Creations Gift Shop and was coordinated by Red Roots Studio, which is operated by Kerdy Mitcho. Mitcho’s band, 14 Knuckles Later who formed in November 2010, performed as a warm-up act for Blackfire running through their entire set. Indian Taco’s were also sold onsite with the proceeds to be split between the Stuff the Bus campaign here in Akwesasne and Save the Peaks campaign in Arizona.

“I’ve always wanted to hold a charitable event,” said Mitcho of his organizing efforts. “Red Roots is a non-profit that will help promote local artists and skilled people.”

Jeneda Benally and Clayson Benally perform on Rt. 37

The Save the Peaks campaign that Blackfire spoke about is an effort in the Arizona region by different nations who are protesting the operation of the Snowbowl Ski Resort, which uses reclaimed wastewater to create the artificial snow on the mountains that these nations hold as sacred for ceremonial purposes. There is currently a grassroots movement to protest this Ski Resort and a legal fight against the United States Forest Services for allowing this to happen.

The band Blackfire is well known for their political activism and have been regularly performing at local grassroots festivals like the one held annually in Ithaca, NY. Blackfire is comprised of two brothers and their sister Jeneda, who travel with their parents and children to perform across the country. Born into the heart of a political land dispute area on Black Mesa in the Navajo Nation, this family’s powerful music reflects the Hopes, Freedoms, and Barriers of today’s world.

 

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