I've been thinking about this for a bit and thought I'd share here for if its helpful. I'm taking a course at U of M for my PhD program called Seminar in Communication Research. In the course we are exploring communication methods native and indigenous peoples have utilized to claim dignity and reclaim a sense of culture amongst their own tribes--particularly in the realm of education but in other areas as well.
We are tasked not with writing a research paper to publish but keeping a Decolonization Journal. In this journal we wrestle with our understanding of our own Colonial heritage, how its disrupted (a polite term) native peoples' lives, and how we see things we have not seen before.
I may share some from my journal in the coming months but, honestly, its more intense and challenging than a research paper. For now, I want to use some posts to share with you some native and indigenous musicians, poets, and writers I think will serve us all well to hear. It may be because they just have great music (which they do) or because they have insights from which we may all benefit. If nothing else, I'd like to give a platform as best I can to voices and tribes Eurocentric folk in previous years attempted to exploit or erase in various ways. So, to actively de-erase a culture in some way, I'll shine a little spotlight on on some big voices in the coming weeks.
To begin: the multitalented Kalyn Fay.
I don't know how my research led me across her music but I'm so glad it did. She is Cherokee and has musical roots in Tulsa, OK. Her Bible Belt album is all I could ask of an Americana album. Honest, robust, story-whisked and stirred. I don't want to say much about her as just offer a favorite song with which to start and then you can take it from there.
From Bible Belt I hear someone who may be processing from whence she came, perhaps a relatable sentiment for us all, with a full awareness of white and Cherokee cultures fully at the table. Its a song that'll transport us all into reflection and dang it sounds pretty.
We are tasked not with writing a research paper to publish but keeping a Decolonization Journal. In this journal we wrestle with our understanding of our own Colonial heritage, how its disrupted (a polite term) native peoples' lives, and how we see things we have not seen before.
I may share some from my journal in the coming months but, honestly, its more intense and challenging than a research paper. For now, I want to use some posts to share with you some native and indigenous musicians, poets, and writers I think will serve us all well to hear. It may be because they just have great music (which they do) or because they have insights from which we may all benefit. If nothing else, I'd like to give a platform as best I can to voices and tribes Eurocentric folk in previous years attempted to exploit or erase in various ways. So, to actively de-erase a culture in some way, I'll shine a little spotlight on on some big voices in the coming weeks.
To begin: the multitalented Kalyn Fay.
I don't know how my research led me across her music but I'm so glad it did. She is Cherokee and has musical roots in Tulsa, OK. Her Bible Belt album is all I could ask of an Americana album. Honest, robust, story-whisked and stirred. I don't want to say much about her as just offer a favorite song with which to start and then you can take it from there.
From Bible Belt I hear someone who may be processing from whence she came, perhaps a relatable sentiment for us all, with a full awareness of white and Cherokee cultures fully at the table. Its a song that'll transport us all into reflection and dang it sounds pretty.
Bible Belt is from her most recent full length album. However, she has another album called Good Company coming out very soon.
Lastly, Here's a video I just stumbled upon of her discussing her art and navigating identity. It's worth a gander.
Lastly, Here's a video I just stumbled upon of her discussing her art and navigating identity. It's worth a gander.
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