NDN Skateborders & Artist meet WAMPUM NY

The Skateboard has a carving of David Pharaoh
a Montauket Native

WAMPUM

    I finally got the chance to stop through the WAMPUM  shop in Bridgehampton, NY which was a great experience!!!!!  WAMPUM was named the best skate shop by New York Magazine in 2012. They are doing BIG things. Talk among different natives here in the eastern region has had curiosity on any collaborations between WAMPUM  and Native Americans.

Bridgehampton Wampum Skate shop

      To my surprised they seem to be heavily native inspired. I know I can echo the voices of all natives when I say this--there are so many native inspired businesses that have not a clue the truth about us. It's businesses such as WAMPUM that we as Native Americans should be working closely with to help to create awareness on our issues and movements.While in the shop we were able to vibe on creating platforms such as skateboard festivals and tournaments to educate non-native on who we are today. We even discussed involving native youth in many ways. It's so unfortunate to know that we still remain the highest in statistics as far as high school drop out and teen suicide rates. It's businesses such as WAMPUM that help to give our youth positive alternatives. As a native artist myself its empowering to know that even non-natives are for indigenous rights.It's now 2013 and we NEED to begin working together to move this world to a better place!

       So all my Natives skateboarders and artist check them out. I have been following them on instagram @wampumny for a while now and its cool to put a face to the name...LOL...Hope to be working with them soon! So definitely stay in the network for more! The Wampum stores are located in Bridgehampton NY and New York City.

 

WEBSITE: http://www.wampumny.com/

BLOG: www.wamppumny.blogspot

FACEBOOK: www.facebook/wampumny

TWITTER: www.wampumny.blogspot.com

INSTAGRAM :@wampumny

NDN Music

A TRIBE CALLED RED

       I had the awesome opportunity to meet with the group A Tribe Called Red at the American Indian Community House (AICH) in NYC. DJ’s NDN, Bear Witness, and DJ Shub gave a presentation on what it is that they do and what inspires them. As natives music lives in our culture and we are proud of our culture. These guys are creating new tradition for our culture. It's allowing the younger generations to be inspired through their culture. They have blended traditional music, dance, and other forms of art with today's digital art forms. When it comes together it makes you just want to dance and feel proud to be native! Bear Witness explained that he wanted to figure out a way how to take the stereotype that people have on us as natives and make fun of it! I know it sounds kind of twisted but when you twist it with digital sound it sounds uplifting--talk about change! Natives today have taken digital and social media to the next level in our culture! So if you haven't experienced the sounds and visuals of A Tribe Called Red check them out!

Follow them on twitter @atribecalledred

Website http://www.electricpowwow.com

Like them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/A-Tribe-Called-Red/181642381882640

 

 

Scott Vladislav Abraham

 

I was surfing through Youtube and multiple times Scott Vladislav Abraham came across my recommendations. I gave him a listen and I have to say he definitely has talent. It's always good to hear some new round dance songs from a new artist. I am sure I am not the only one who can say this but on those long pow wow road trips its fun to jam out to some round dance tunes on the way with a car full of natives. LOL there has been times when we even had battles on who knows the best round dance jams. I am sure I may win this pow wow season with the sounds of come Scott Vladislav Abraham! LOL Now you can all add him to your playlist. Keep the songs coming Scott!!!!!

 

Subscribe to him on YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/user/iygsinger4life

Add him on FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/#!/VladislavAbraham

 

IDLE NO MORE!!!!!!

Members of Shinnecock at the Flash Mob in
Washington Square NYC

Become apart of the movement
Spread awareness!

IDLE NO MORE
is an indigenous movement to raise awareness on indigenous issues by gaining attention through rallies and social media. What sparked this movement was Theresa Spence, the chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, who ended a six-week hunger strike on 01/24 The goal of Spence’s protest was to gain a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General David Johnston to discuss how to improve the conditions on native reserves. Through facebook, twitter, instagram and other platforms of social media almost every indigenous community in the nation has been involved in this movement. I was able to participate in this movement in New York City early January! The average “American” is clueless as to what Natives endure today let alone even know we still exist. The more awareness we can spread on indigenous issues the more we can continue to sustain our culture for the betterment of our future!!!!!!!!

NATIVE ARTIST IN THE WINTER

We all know that when winter comes most people stay indoors. For all you beadwork lovers I hope you have been saving your pow wow winnings because this winter there has been so many artists stocking up on inventory! Check out @thewomanbeader on instragram. She constantly posts some of the hottest beaded earrings a native girl could want! She works extremely hard. Be sure to leave awesome comments and follow her on instagram @thewomanbeader.

 

 

 

 

Today social media has connected natives in so many ways. Christan Weaver, a Shinnecock tribal member has created a platform for native artist to get their artwork out there! He is an artist himself and is also the founder & Chief Executive officer for NDNcraft. NDNcraft is a Native American owned and operated website that provides an easy and affordable vehicle for Native crafts and art to be bought and sold. "We believe in preserving our indigenous cultures and celebrating the arts and designs that come from our beautiful cultures." states Christan Weaver.
WEBSITE  www.ndncraft.com
FB http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/457515937636676/


Another Artist I would like to highlight is Dan Loudfoot Simonds. He is the owner of Wampumwear. Dan was born and raised on his tribal lands of Connecticut is from the Mashantucket Pequot tribe. He travels all year long on throughout Indian country selling an exhibiting this artwork. So if your are on the trail be sure to pick up some of his "must have" jewelry. He has a variety of artwork but his specialty is hand crafted wampum jewelry. I'd say he is a guru at using social media to help in marketing his work. He is constantly posting new items for sale.
Website www.wampumwear.com   www.facebook.com/wampumwear
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DAN!!!!CHEEEEEEEEE