Black Native Jewel

Hearing Radmilla

christiandionnetotty — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:22:27 +0000

I would love to see this 2010 documentary, Hearing Radmilla, about Radmilla Cody (Navajo) who was crowned Miss Navajo in 1997. Cody went on to great success as a musician, faced federal charges, ended an abusive 6 year relationship, and is not a Domestic Violence activist. Here is a link to an interview with Cody about the being crowned Miss Navajo: www.theroot.com/views/black-native-american

The Whole Story

christiandionnetotty — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:51:32 +0000

In this open letter posted on Racilicious.com to Urban Outfitters CEO, Glen T. Senk, Sasha Houston Brown, Dakota/ Santee Sioux Nation, writes words fierce, and truthful. Houston eloquently and boldly stands to demand a public apology for the thoughtless & racist line the company recently released, which appropriates the Navajo Nation. While this letter has been in web circulation since it’s publication on Columbus Day, its relevancy still bubbles as October days fly by, and the U.S. dives into Thanksgiving. Gems like this from Houston bring reality into focus, forcing out the whole story of an extremely inappropriate “holiday”.

Storytelling=Transformation

christiandionnetotty — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:27:12 +0000

Discovering Our Stories is an amazing educational and healing resource developed by Wisdom of the Elders based in Portland, Oregon. Through the art of storytelling, DOS utilizes digital media tools to record the voices of elders throughout the Northwest. Focusing on traditional recovery and prevention practices, DOS supports the transcendence of historical and personal trauma, uplifting story as sacred to the healing process.

Learn more about Discovering Our Stories: www.discoveringourstory.org

Link to Wisdom of the Elders: www.wp.wisdomoftheelders.org

Bold As Love

christiandionnetotty — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:14:54 +0000

It is officially autumn here in Chicago. The air is feels like a snap! made on the spiral bed between pointer finger and thumb; whispers crisp and clear to the ear, “wake up”. Fall is a bold month, it is able to stand strong and conscious in transformation. What would happen if we followed the ritual of the seasons, and did not push back? I imagine we would be a few steps closer to walking in solidarity with all of creation. Honoring and loving this Earth as much as the Earth loves us. Bold as conscious love.

Link:

The Freedmen Series, Part 1

christiandionnetotty — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:24:41 +0000

This is a video posted on one of my favorite blogs addressing Black- Indian history, The African- Native American Genealogy Blog. In The Freedmen Series, Angela Y. Walton-Raji provides compelling, and heartbreaking historical fact that explores the genealogical records of the “forgotten slaves, and their descendants of the five civilized tribes of Oklahoma”. This is the first installment in the six- part series, and a great tool for educators who are interested in exposing all aspects of the institution of slavery in this country.

christiandionnetotty — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:23:40 +0000

I first heard this rad song on NPR’s Alt.Latino. I was floored, not once, but twice, with the plethora of musical gems coming out this fall, in addition to the sheer innovation. One artist who really caught my attention is Lucas Santtana, from Brazil. Here is a jam from his album Sem Nostalgia called Super Violão Mashup:

Capoeira: A BlackIndian Tool of Resistance

christiandionnetotty — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:26:06 +0000

contar_mestre_jo

So good to be back! It’s been awhile since my last post. The end of July was fierce, and the start of August was no different. It has been productive, and I am blessed for that. Speaking of fierceness & blessings… I thought I would focus this homecoming post on one of my favorite artistic forms: Capoeira. Capoeira combines dance, martial arts, and music for a dynamic performance of skill, wit and spirit. It’s history is rich is the art & cultural roots of African slaves who were brought to work in Brazil (colonized by Portugal), as well as the native Brazilians. In an environment much like that of colonized North America, Capoeira began to develop in Quilombos, or safe, hard to reach settlements where African, Native Brazilian and other oppressed groups could find refuge.

“Inside the safety of quilombos, capoeira developed as a means of self-defense and use in guerrilla attacks. Numerous times quilombos were attacked or raided by slave hunters. Capoeira was used to protect these communities and was effective in repelling attacks. Those slaves who were captured, taught capoeira to the others in plantations and disguised it with music and dance.”

(Source: http://www.start-playing-capoeira.com/history-of-capoeira.html)

In this way, Capoeira was used as a tool of resistance against the colonizers, or the capitães-do-mato. The art of Capoeira is, like dance, an experience in fluidity that calls for grace, agility, strength, flexibility, and creativity.

For years I’ve been making and breaking promises to myself that I would start to study Capoeira, and West African Dance. Per usually, I always make money the excuse. However, recently I have been more on my game, more focused, and just ready to use my body in new ways. A large part of this inspiration comes from a desire to just dance, and specialize my healing arts work in movement/ movement therapy & expressive arts. While I have taken dance classes in the past, I have so much to learn. The plan is head on over to The Old Town School of Folk Music here in Chicago and start my journey of new, healing, radical movement.

Check out this video of Contra- Mestre Jo:

A Tribe Called Quest flies high once again in the Doc “Beats, Rhymes, & Life”

christiandionnetotty — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:19:44 +0000

Beats, Rhymes, & Life film poster

When it comes to beats, rhymes, and life these days, there are few Hip Hop poets who can measure up to the originality of the old school. Perhaps this is my bias speaking as a child born at the dawn of the global Hip Hop movement in the early 80′s. Furthermore, perhaps I am reminiscent of the fresh early 90′s flow that was all about reppin’ aesthetics of the African diaspora. Either way, this 80′s baby is 100% geeked for the new documentary, ”Beats, Rhymes, & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest”, directed by NYC native Michael Rapaport. The film chronicles the creative, magical journey that was, and is, the Queens borne dynamic trifecta, A Tribe Called Quest: Q- Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Could this film be the resurrection of conscious Hip- Hop rising like a dove, with a deep flavor and zest? And furthermore, could this film (re)ignite the Tribe? On the real… at this point in the movement I believe we can, at least, hope for more rhythm recipes, and strategize our way to taking over the airwaves one beat at a time. This film, like a breath of fresh air, is proof.

Check the rhyme on the site: www.sonyclassics.com/beatsrhymesandlife/site/

Ramapough fight fiercely in Mann v. Ford

christiandionnetotty — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:33:36 +0000

Man v Ford

Tonight is the premier of Mann v. Ford on the HBO series, Documentaries. Man v Ford tells the story the Ramapough who are fighting to protect the health of their children. As a Black Indian woman with roots in Lima, OH (Shawnee land), a town that has been poisoning the people through the BP Oil refinery for years, I understand the importance of this film. If you have HBO, I urge to to watch this!

Check out the website for the film synopsis: www.hbo.com/documentaries/mann-v-ford#/documentaries/mann-v-ford/synopsis.html

Follow Me…

christiandionnetotty — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:40:32 +0000

Happy Friday! Check the rhyme with this fresh jam… and Follow Me!