Festival offers more than music for the ears

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When Native American Music Festival co-ordinator Ferlin Clark first put out the call to Native American musicians some three years ago, he had no idea that a fire had just been lit. Not only did artists answer his call, they exceeded his expectations forcing him to expand the initial plan of an afternoon concert into a full-blown two-day event.

Once again, the Ned Hatathli Center, at the Dine College in Tsaile, in the heart of the Navajo reservation, hosted the music festival that took place over the Father's Day weekend in July.

Families, sometimes four generations, sat wrapped in blankets listening to music under the stars--music that sent echoes ricocheting off the canyon walls.

Musicians covering a wide spectrum of genres were included on the festival bill--from Thrash and Heavy Metal to Blues, Rap and Jazz, to traditional singers and dancers, to headliners like Ulali and Bill Miller.

Even though most of the talent assembled was from the four corners area of Arizona, performers came from across the country to be part of the festival spirit, like blues guitarist-singer Tracy Nelson who drove all night from Los Angeles and Ulali and Bill Miller who flew in late Saturday afternoon from existing tours.

Navajo Nation's own KTNN radio, the festival's co-sponsor with the Dine College, was on hand, as were many of their on-air personalities who served as masters of ceremonies for the event.

Friday night started with an opening prayer, followed by the Apache Crown Dancers, then young thrash bands, Loxx-Ska and Killer 89. Some of the other acts that night included Tsaile's own band Spear, rapper Natay, Bluesman Tracy Nelson, and rock band Nations Ensemble. The night closed to the hard driving sound of Loud Silence.

Saturday's line up was equally impressive, starting off at noon with James Bilagody and continuing with performances from the Chinle Valley Singers, Rex Redhair (aka Navajo Elvis), Knifewing, Star Nayea, and jazz-fusion music from the multi-talented Redhouse Family Jazz Band. Juanito Becenti, a 16-year-old-classicial pianist, received a standing ovation for his brilliant performance playing his own compositions. Headlining the festival Saturday night was the female acappella group Ulali and Bill Miller who blew the audience away with his talent and energy. The festival closed with a prayer

and an impromptu gathering on stage of all performers to sing the Bob Dylan classic, "Knockin' On Heaven's Door."

Interspersed between acts throughout the two days, local talent was showcased giving novice performers some welcomed exposure, and the audience a preview of some home-grown talent.

This showcase also provided the stage for some more serious moments. One

of the more poignant ones came Friday night when singer-activist Mervyn Tilden sang and spoke about the need for unity and one Nation--bringing awareness to the eminent confrontation with United States law enforcement over the forced relocation of the Navajo people at Big Mountain. There was a visible stillness that rippled through the audience reminding everyone of the urgency of the situation and the work that needs to be done.

What really came across at this festival was the Navajo Arts and Humanities Council's commitment to include and give Native youth a voice.

Young thrash bands like Loxx-Ska and Killer 89 and rapper Natay may initially sound harsh and angry, but these are not a bunch of irresponsible punks hooked on Hollywood or romanticizing about the "rez," but young people who see what's happening, have a vision and have something positive to say and contribute. It's becoming clear that a lot of youth are choosing music or the arts as their outlet for activism, as opposed to the armed struggle that dominated the 1970s. What is exciting about these artists is that, even though they have chosen a more mainstream musical format, their avenue of expression reflects their reality, and their lyrics and energy cannot be separated from their experience as Natve youth.

It was refreshing that festival coordinators did not censor music of content and there was no Indian stereotype or pre-defined image that artists had to confirm to. This

is what makes the festival so inclusive--diversity is celebrated, not condemned.

The Naive American Music Festival in Tsaile feels more like a community gathering than a music concert. Maybe that's because the council puts just as much,

if not more, energy into ensuring their own people are equal partners and participants

in this event. Also, the staff, made up mainly of dedicated volunteers, must be acknowledged for their excitement and enthusiasm.

At a time when tribes across the country scramble to keep businesses from leaving the reservations, the Dine College and the Navajo Arts and Humanities Council emits a bright light across Indian Country by opting not to sell out and do it the easy way by taking the festival to a more profitable bordertown. This council just doesn't just say it believes in the people, it proves it by standing on home ground and remaining accountable to its own community members.

"We want to keep our people in the communities. This festival is about honoring our own and giving arts the opportunity to give something back. It's about volunteering and remembering that there was a time when money was not the motivating factor. You did things from the heart. You did things for your people," said festival coordinator Ferlin Clark.