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Indigenous Voice Performance Indigenous Voice Performance Review The indigenous voices performances were held at the WashingtonState University (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.). The performers were both indigenous rap and hip hop artists. They included Supaman, Nataani Means, Yaz and Witko. The aim of these indigenous performances was to celebrate world art. The first artist was Supaman who is member of the Apsaalooke group. He originated from the Crow Reservation in Montana.
Supaman was a local American dancer as well as a hip hop performer whose mission was to encourage the youth and educate the public using hopeful songs and culture (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.). Supaman performed a song called prayer loop song, which contained a combination of traditional symbols and modern sounds. In the song, Supaman wore a traditional but fancy attire to represent two distinct worlds combining positively. The second artist, Nataani Means is a son of an Indian leader Russell Means.
Nataani Means performed the radical featuring Russell Means, a song that told true stories of indigenous people living in the United States (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.). Nataani Means aim was to show the struggles that the modern indigenous Americans go through. The third performer was Mike Cliff (Witko) performed a song called alive that addresses issues faced by the Lakota people in the United States (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.). Witko who was originally from Lakota mentioned the judgments and discriminations that the Lakota people face.
He said that his people start having problems with the police officers from as early as fourteen years. Witko featured other artists from the Lakota community and they all sang that they were happy to be alive. The last performer was Yaz, also a Native American singer that aimed at educating the public on issues and encouraged the young adults (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.). Events analysis The indigenous voices performances held at the Washington State University included artists from different indigenous communities who sang songs to educate and encourage the students (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.).
Therefore the non-indigenous students had an opportunity to learn more about different indigenous communities as well as the different challenges they face every day. These performances increased cultural awareness among the students and know that discrimination on another person based on the ethnic background affects their studies and well being. The event at the Washington State University was a success as it incorporated artist from a distinct backgrounds all addressing different issues. Similarly, these artist especially Supaman, combined both traditional clothes and modern attires (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.).
The song had traditional drumming and singing as well as rap mixed with fancy dancing. Therefore, he was able to capture the attention of both students from the Aboriginal as well as those who are modern. The other strengths of the performances are that the young people will gain identity and accept their originalities (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.). This is especially for the students from the featured indigenous communities. In addition, the events allow the students to feel like a part of the university and that the institution administrations care for their well being.
Also, the performances are essential for the academic success of the students both indigenous and non-indigenous. The administration should ensure that they include other indigenous artists in the next event performances in order to cater for all ethnic communities in the institution (Washington State University Performing Arts, n.d.). Also, they should include modern artist to ensure the white American students feel included in the performances. References Washington State University Performing Arts.
2015 Humanities Festival - Supaman + Nataanii Means + Yaz + Witko. Retrieved 8 October 2015, from http://performingarts.wsu.edu/humanitas/2015/indigenous-hip-hop.html#.VhYzfG6ZlYA
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