Darren Thompson

Standing Rock

In the later part of 2016 and early 2017, much of my attention has been centered around the events happening in and around the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in North Dakota. Thousands of people, hundreds of tribes and dozens of municipalities have joined the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in its battle against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Dakota Access Pipeline is a 1,172-mile-long underground oil pipeline project beginning in the Bakken oil fields in northwest North Dakota and travels through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois with the most controversial aspect of the project being the pipeline would cross under the Missouri River just north of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Estimated at $3.78 billion, the pipeline will carry 470,000 barrels per day of crude oil and has the capacity to carry up to 570,000 barrels per day and would create up to 40 permanent jobs and 8,200-12,000 temporary jobs during construction.

Protests have heightened in the early part of August when construction began on a site near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation where 86 burial sites have been identified by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Tribal leaders called for help to all directions for people to make their way to Standing Rock and little did they know, they started a movement that has been witnessed by the entire world. The reason for the call: the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe did not permit the company to begin construction on its proposed path, which is a few miles off the reservation.

Early in May of 2016, I had the privilege of traveling to Standing Rock for the first time with a very dear friend of mine, Reuben Fasthorse, where we hosted a British author attempting to research material on writing a travel memoir of traveling in Indian Country as a European. Our visit included the many sacred and significant sites belonging to not only the Hunkpapa (Standing Rock) Lakota, but the Lakota people and their history. We met and held meetings with many people among the Tribe, which included LaDonna Brave Bull Allard - Standing Rock's Clean Water Act Coordinator (at the time). She spoke to our guest about treaties, law, oil pipelines, the environment, not the fabled oral traditions about Sitting Bull and the Battle of Little Big Horn that most come to Lakota Country expecting to hear. What our guest heard was the Lakota people, like many other Tribes in the United States, still face a battle against different entities such as the Federal Government and Corporations who have no regard to a people and their history. In other words, American Indian people are still here and continue to face the same battle of defending a way of life well into the 21st century. LaDonna and I quickly exchanged information and became friends; it was her call that moved me to travel to Standing Rock in early August.

My travels to and from Standing Rock were merely to support - to bear witness and offer my support as a person. What I saw and experienced kept me going to Standing Rock every chance I could. Coming from an American Indian community and culture, I am well experienced when it comes to the disrespect from the non-Native corporate supporting capitalist culture that continues to engulf and destroy the planet we all live on. What I saw that day will remain in my memory for as long as I live. A company digging up burial sites with no regard for law, for a people or their history and having to feel the energy of all of that was very life-changing. There was no media, no celebrities, no big names there - just people voicing their heart and spirit against something they had no say in. Imagine an outside entity claiming to have right to dig over your ancestors' gravesites - how would that make you feel?

Well over 800 people have been arrested since protests have heightened in mid-August and as cases are making their way into court many are being dropped for lack of evidence. In other words, the State of North Dakota can't prove what certain people did or didn't do, but law enforcement has been hasty in arresting as many people as they can leading to many wrongful arrests and lawsuits against many jurisdictions. During the heightened events where thousands traveled to both bear witness and demonstrate against the wrongful actions conducted by both the Dakota Access Pipeline and law enforcement, there were many common things being expressed about the actions and they are now making their way into being shared publicly. Some of the statements, which are now coming to light, are that the security companies representing the Dakota Access Pipeline were conducting illegal activities to aggravate the situation including infiltrating the camps and encouraging illegal activities while peaceful demonstrations were being conducted. In addition, all of the security companies didn't have a license to operate in North Dakota leading to further lawsuits and the support of the Morton County Sheriff's Department only suggests one thing - they were only there to protect an oil company's interests, not the people's interests. Just recently, a federal judge ruled that the approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline by the 45th President Donald J. Trump during his first few days of his presidency violated the law. There are aspects of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's Treaty with the Federal Government that were not taken into account and they include how a spill would affect the Tribe's hunting and fishing rights, when there is a spill.

In addition to the many horrors that were witnessed during the several months long demonstration near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, there were many beautiful things that came from such a polarized event in our history. And when I say history I don't just mean Native people's history, but all people's history. It was one of the largest gathering of Tribes in United States' history. Many thousands of people united together making the protests near the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation one of the most heightened events of 2016 and the largest protest camp in Unites States history. No doubt, this will remain in many people's memories as people created relationships and bonds that will last many generations. My family from more than 2,000 miles away came to support. People from overseas traveled to the isolated Northern Plains. I've met so many beautiful people that will remain in my heart forever and I am forever grateful that I could be hosted by such a beautiful people.

As just one person who went to support and bear witness, I realize how important it is to continue to educate people on who we are, what our treaties mean not only to our communities, but the country's, what our people have endured up to and during these events, and what we can accomplish when we come together. I will always keep these events close to my heart and will always share my experience with those willing to listen. If you would like to learn more about this, please visit www.standingrock.org, which is the official communications engine of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe or, of course, reach out via email at darren@darrenthompson.net.

I've written many pieces in travels to Standing Rock and if you'd like to read some of them, please visit Native News Online: Darren Thompson for more references and information. I hope you will take what little I have to offer on this very important manner to heart and you will find what's true and honest in your own research. I'm always open and available for comments, questions, or other opportunities.

Gigawaabaamin,

Darren Thompson

Gathering of Nations

This April, I had the honor and privilege of being the opening act for the 2016 Gathering of Nations Powwow, which is the world's largest powwow, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I joined thousands upon thousands of people representing all corners of Indian Country in celebration of culture, tradition and heritage. I met so many people from the moment I entered the Wise Pies Arena (The Pit) at the University of New Mexico until the moment I forced myself to leave. I saw smiles and beautiful faces all weekend and I wanted to share some of my experiences for your enjoyment.

During my stay in New Mexico I had the honor of being the esteemed guest for the New Mexico Veterans Administration as they honored Native people and culture during a special luncheon. Hundreds of healthcare professionals spent their lunch hour listening and learning about my music and where I come from. I also had the privilege of sharing the hour with Miss Indian New Mexico Ms. Megan Brady-Bedonie, a very talented, determined young Navajo woman who has tremendous aspirations for her people and her life. After the performance we were both honored with a lunch and a giveaway that happened behind closed doors where many Native families came to support Megan and I on our journey to represent our people and families. I have never been treated like that and it was a humbling experience to have spent real time with people so far away from home. It was a genuine experience I will never forget.

Later that evening, I had the most privileged evening to perform and share my story at the Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice in honor for America's political prisoner Leonard Peltier. It was a very special day for me as I reflect on the beginning of my journey how supportive Leonard Peltier was for me, the encouragement I received from him while he had already been incarcerated for 30 years when we started communicating. The friends and supporters I've had for years visiting and spending their time with me was a very special time. Although sad, and somewhat somber, I had to take a moment out of time and pay my respect to his cause and to those who continue to support him. My music and time was only a blink of the effort of the many who continue to fight for his freedom. Nonetheless, it was a good time to connect with the many passionate people there who remember a difficult time for many American Indian people and the steps they took to stand up and fight for our rights and our self-determination.

If you haven't been to Gathering of Nations, you might want to consider going, especially if you're a fan of art, music, and that genuine cultural experience. You will see families, generations, dignitaries, celebrities, love, and talent like no other place representing American Indian culture. Everyone is welcome. But it's a powwow, you will see thousands of dancers in their regalia and dozens of groups of singers representing all of Indian Country. They are the voice and heartbeat to powwow, they are the reason people dance. It's a beautiful thing to experience such a vibrant, beautiful culture thriving. Rather than go into the history of powwow, I would invite you to visit www.powwows.com to learn a little more about the specifics of what you can expect at a powwow.

Emergence Productions did a fantastic job coordinating, promoting and running a variety of stages at Gathering of Nations powwow to ensure both the entertainers and guests could enjoy a wide variety of music and performances. They were so busy and overwhelmed one would think how do they keep it all together, but nonetheless they are one group of dedicated individuals working hard to share the love and talent from Indian Country's finest talent. I was honored to have worked with them and to have shared this year's powwow with the many people who came to Gathering of Nations.

I left Gathering of Nations and New Mexico exhilarated, inspired, and motivated to approach my busiest summer of my life. I couldn't help but feel blessed, humbled, and honored to have met so many families that knew of my music and wanted to congratulate me and spend a simple few minutes with me just wishing me well. The love and energy I received from the many Native people was a sign to me that I was on the right path, that I am pursuing what I love to do and it's appreciated. During the powwow, I was overwhelmed with media, people, and not being trampled on! It's that busy. It was difficult to leave and I'm excited to go back again! I hope to see you all there next year!

I have been extremely busy these past several months planning and preparing for the busiest summer of my musical career! So many exciting things going in many aspects of my career. I am approaching the summer as one of the main performers at the world's largest monument - the Crazy Horse Memorial! I will be there from Memorial Day weekend through the End of September! In addition, I will be opening for all of Brulé's summer concert series in Hill City, South Dakota at the High Country Guest Ranch. It's looking like an exciting summer and I can only be thankful for the people I've met along this journey, who have shared a moment or laugh with me. You give me the focus and drive I need to stay on this path. Please stay tuned to my concert schedule as many new opportunities continue to come up at www.darrenthompson.net/shows. I cannot wait to get this going! I will touch base as time goes along, but please come visit us all at Crazy Horse Memorial at www.crazyhorse.org.

Baamaapii - Until next time!

Crazy Horse Memorial

For the month of October, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in Crazy Horse Memorial's artist in residence program. And while I've visited Crazy Horse on several occasions, I didn't quite know how being there every day would be as an artist. My art isn't something one can see or hang on a wall - it's something one hears and listens to. And while most can immediately acknowledge that there are different forms of art that appeals to our senses, not many people realize that there are rich, deep aspects of Native American culture expressed in countless ways.

Like all other endeavors, I mentally prepared for my residency to represent American Indian people, the Ojibwe people, the State of Wisconsin, the Lac du Flambeau community, my family, and myself respectfully. In many ways, the residency was something I couldn't exactly prepare for because I didn't know what to expect. Throughout my years as a Native American flute player, I've had the opportunity to perform and share my culture with people and audiences from all walks of life. There has been one common factor, when visiting the United States people from other countries want to learn about America's first people. With that comes a deep, sometimes fanatical, interest. At Crazy Horse, I had the opportunity to share my music, my art, and my community with people from all over the globe on a daily basis. Every day I left the Memorial completely surprised at how many people spend their hard earned money, take time out of their lives to learn about our history and that to me was inspiring. For that reason alone, I think visiting Crazy Horse Memorial in one's lifetime is a must. As an artist, I felt beyond honored to know my art and music enriched people's lives and helped contribute to the mission of a world-recognized organization dedicated to America's first peoples.

My preparation in many aspects was emotional. I felt like if there was ever a place that my art and music belonged, it was at Crazy Horse Memorial. So you can imagine I was extremely excited. While Crazy Horse Memorial is the largest monument in progress in the world depicting the Lakota leader Crazy Horse, it is far more than a mountain carving. It is an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians. Crazy Horse includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Indian University of North America, and the Native American Education and Cultural Center. And it is awe-inspiring! Already branded as "one of the most inspiring places in the world," I left Crazy Horse with a new perspective on my art and, speaking frankly, my life.

People say music is a universal language and my experience as the artist in residence at Crazy Horse Memorial proved that. I had the opportunity to interact with thousands of people who spoke very little to no English. People approached me with smiles and wanted to hear as much as they could, spending most of their time visiting Crazy Horse listening to my music. And while some were taken aback because I'm wearing "modern" clothing items (jeans, shoes, vest, belt) it demonstrated that we as a people are still here, still thriving, still holding onto traditions. As I've shared with them, the Native American flute is an instrument that has been in existence in this part of the world (North America) for hundreds and hundreds of years and like us, it's not going anywhere. It is unique in the world of wind instruments in that it is the only wind instrument that NEEDS two separate chambers to make its noise. There is a rounding of sound if we want to speak technically, causing a round, warm sound that is pleasing to all that hear the instrument.

Especially touching was the welcoming of the staff and leadership at Crazy Horse. Collectively, they have worked with the best of the best in Indian Country for longer than I have been alive and I felt incredibly blessed to have made an impact on those that walk the floors of the Indian Museum of North America on a daily basis. To hear good words of encouragement and gratitude from those same folks was more than worth it. They are doing an incredible job at Crazy Horse as they continue to develop an experience that enriches the many people that travel to the Black Hills of South Dakota from all over the world. People these days aren't easily impressed, but when one experiences the Memorial's history firsthand from the family and folks that started Crazy Horse from a bare mountain realize Crazy Horse is monumental, literally and figuratively. What most don't realize is that all of the work over the past several decades has not involved federal or state government funding and doesn't plan to. The monumental goal to create the world's largest monument is accomplished by the dedicated and creative people that focus their minds on telling the story of the American Indian people. And like anything successful, it takes dedication, hard work and many people to do so. But more importantly - who better to tell the story of its people than the people themselves? Throughout the year Crazy Horse involves many talents, communities, art forms, and people to tell the story of their people and I am one of the lucky ones to have had the experience. Thank you.

There are many highlights to share about my residence at Crazy Horse, but one that definitely stands out is meeting Ozzy Osbourne. Yes, even the Prince of Darkness has an interest in American Indian people. Ozzy and his son Jack were in the Black Hills towards the end of October filming for the History Channel. Although specific details are limited, the filming was for a television show that has an Osbourne take on history. Sort of a father-son road trip throughout the world exploring aspects of history. Nonetheless of what areas are being filmed, I had the opportunity to demonstrate my art, my community, and share my music with Ozzy and his son Jack during filming. According to public relations, they took my album The Song of Flower and listened while driving up Crazy Horse Mountain, commenting on my music and discussing the opportunity to meet me. What a privilege! But that is just one of the amazing opportunities that came from participating in the residence program at Crazy Horse. At any given moment, someone that is either widely recognized in mass media or someone in their last week of life can visit the Memorial and having the opportunity to share who you are, where you come, and what you're passionate about is beyond a dream come true.

Another privilege was meeting the many Native people that visited the Memorial. With the Black Hills Annual Powwow taking place during the month of October, the Memorial had a spike in attendance from Native people from the United States and beyond. One thing definitely stood out, they ALL came up to me and shook my hand, and many of them posed for pictures. I try my best to honor where I come from, to honor who we are as Native people and to have been given the respect to simply have my hand shaken was extremely humbling. I felt if anyone deserves to hear the instrument, it's Native people - its songs and instruments as well as their knowledge were taken from us, like many other cultural items. It was an honor to play for them, to have them hear their instrument being played by one of their own in the Indian Museum of North America.

You can learn more about the Crazy Horse Memorial at www.crazyhorse.org. The artist in residence program runs from May through October and is a life-changing opportunity. The folks that run the program are always interested in learning who else is out there and are more than willing to help you find the resources you need to grow and thrive in your culture, your art, and in your life. I would encourage you to learn more about Crazy Horse's residence program at https://crazyhorsememorial.org/artist-in-residence.html

You can read more about my experiences at www.darrenthompson.net/blog - thank you!

Summer 2015

With summer in full swing and flying right by, I have been meaning to blog and share my most recent updates with everyone for some time. Like everyone, I have been busy and trying to soak in the beautiful sun.

I am excited to share that after years of research and patiently waiting for the right team to fall into place, I released "Between Earth and Sky: Native American Flute Songs Recorded in the Black Hills"! It is an accomplishment and a relief to have this album done and available for the public.

About the project.

Between Earth and Sky was a tremendous project to work on, both in thought and in action. Like many things, it took some time to accomplish, making sure all the parts were set in place and, for the most part, that required simply waiting. It took years of preparation, to find instruments that have been recreated out of items that date back at least a 1,000 years and compose songs with them that had meaning and, more importantly, to find an engineer who understood sound and how to best capture it. It was incredibly important to me that this recording reflected the American Indian value of the reverence of the past, of where we came from as American Indian people - our abilities, our intellect, our expressions. Many of the instruments as well as the songs are influenced by the past, demonstrating that this precious instrument and its music is timeless. I recorded this project with Rick Vanness of Hill City, South Dakota in a few locations in Rapid City, South Dakota. I met Rick while on the production of "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" directed by Steven Lewis Simpson in the fall of 2014 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. For more information about the film project please read my previous blog posting titled, "Neither Wolf Nor Dog". Some mornings, while preparing for the day's shoot I would play outside of the ranch we stayed at and Rick would randomly come up to me and not only compliment my playing, but would record me. And lo and behold, we discussed potentially recording and making an album together and considering how intensely I worked alongside Rick, I thought it was a great idea. Rick's skills and experience date back longer than I have been playing the instrument and I knew he was someone I wanted to work with. So, we started recording in the early part of 2015 and our locations included the Calvary Lutheran Church and Sage & Silver Boutique and Gallery. Not only was it a good time, but the recordings came along great! We cut 17 tracks and built the album Between Earth and Sky. Some of the songs were influenced by songs I studied and listened to while doing research on old flutes in both the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. It was such an intense experience for me to go into collections and study and feel the energy of instruments that I play to this day have a history dating back long before the United States of America. We are talking hundreds of years of what was accessible to me. It was my goal to highlight both the diversity of these instruments, in their sound, as well as the compositions. I feature old songs. While listening you will notice, while listening the melodies, that they repeat over and over, which was a common theme to American Indian song composition before the 1900s. Some of the instruments I have recorded with have been recreated out of artifacts dating back a thousand years! With many songs and styles lost with this instrument I had to create my own songs, my own melodies and this in itself was such a personal and spiritual challenge. With many songs originating from songs that influence song making to this day, I felt it best and most appropriate to partner with Drumhop Productions to create and distribute the album. Drumhop Productions is a widely recognized label/production company most noted for their intense collection of Indian Country's most noted Powwow Groups. The cover features both the design by Rusty Gillette, owner of Drumhop Productions, and original ledger artwork by Mrs. Lauren Good Day Giago. Between Earth and Sky is the first instrumental album in their impressive catalog. For more information on Drumhop Productions, please visit the website at www.drumhop.net.

The art created for the project is an original piece made by well-known Arikara and Hidatsa Mrs. Lauren Good Day Giago and deserves recognition. The art form is a well-known style known as ledger art. Commonly used among Northern Plains tribes, it is a form that evolved from time immemorial and began its transformation to ledger accounting paper in the 1800's, during the reservation era where the United States Federal Government began its accounting of American Indians on reservations and their allotments. The theme in the art reflects courtship, one of the most common uses of the flute among tribes in North America. This piece not only reflects the past, but a significant aspect to courtship used since time immemorial.

There is a nice article on the album at Native News Online at http://nativenewsonline.net/currents/native-american-flute-player-to-celebrate-album-project-in-the-black-hills-darren-thompson-to-host-album-release-party-at-sage-silver/

If you are an avid online streamer, the album is available for listening via Spotify, Google Play, and iTunes. Search: Darren Thompson.

Other than the awesome news of finally releasing my second album, I hosted my 3rd Annual Native American Flute Retreat in my hometown of Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin this past June at Dillman's Resort. Students traveled from all over the Great Lakes to enjoy 3 days learning and growing with the instrument that not only has changed my life, but theirs as well. And again, tears were shed and requests to lengthen the workshop were made. So, next year in 2016 my workshop is being expanded to 4 days and will include the renowned flute-making talent of Brent Haines of Woodsounds Flutes. I am so excited to feature a flutemaker who can make such beautiful instruments. For more information on Brent, please visit www.woodsounds.net. But a little about this year's retreat. I never quite know how to prepare for my students as they all have very different expectations, experiences, and needs. But I find it fascinating that when beginning the workshop there are several students who have no playing experience and leave the workshop able to play entire songs and express themselves through the instrument. So much happens in so little time that students are often in tears with the intimate setting they are learning in, leaving me feeling so privileged that my work in all of my years continues to touch people in indescribable ways. Teaching for days, from morning to late afternoon is exhausting and I am always changed by people. This is my thank you to them. I have grown as a person and as an artist in sharing both my passion and my community.

After hosting my workshop I had the amazing experience of performing for the first time at Big Top Chautauqua. A prestigious, non-profit performing venue that has hosted the talents of the late Johnny Cash, the Marshall Tucker Band, B.B. King, and the hundreds of other world-renowned talents, I felt extremely honored to take my talents to such an astounding venue. I hosted a workshop on a hot 90 degree afternoon with dozens of people and truly enjoyed the shores of Lake Superior. Later that day, Jim Belushi hosted a comedy show and I couldn't help but feel pretty good about sharing the same venue on the same day. There's a nice write up by Wisconsin Public Radio here: http://wxpr.org/term/darren-thompson.

There is more exciting news and I'll share soon, but for now thank you! I am so humbled to share with you all.

It is my hope that these instruments and their songs continue bring upon positive reflection and good thoughts.

Sincerely,

Darren Thompson

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Neither Wolf Nor Dog

Somehow, someway I made it on the set of the upcoming, independent film titled "Neither Wolf Nor Dog." Wild. The film is based on a book titled Neither Wolf Nor Dog and is written by Kent Nerburn. He is the author of many other books about American Indian people throughout the United States. The film is directed by Steven Lewis Simpson and features the acting talents of Dave Bald Eagle, Christopher Sweeney, Richard Ray Whitman, and Tatanka Means. This is my story.

"Neither Wolf Nor Dog" was filmed for 4 weeks in and around the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, through rain, sleet, and snow. In one month it stormed, snowed, temperatures dropped to the 20's and reached to the upper 80's. The landscape was picturesque, emotions were high (and low), and the experiences were absolutely memorable. There is so much to look forward to with the release of the film "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" and while I can I'd like to share a little with you all about my experience being a part of this amazing story.

Neither Wolf Nor Dog features Christopher Sweeney, Dave Bald Eagle, Richard Ray Whitman,Tatanka Means, Roseann Supernault, Zahn McClarnon and a ton of locals from the area. It was weeks of rushing, rushing, rushing and waiting, waiting, waiting. We all lived and worked together and built a phenomenal crew to tell the story of Neither Wolf Nor Dog. Some of the locations that were filmed were the Badlands National Park,

Wounded Knee, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and various spots around the region. Powerful performances were shared both on screen and behind the scenes. Our star was 95 year-old Dave Bald Eagle (photo). It was a remarkable experience working with a man with so much wisdom and the stories he shared through his life were perfect for the character of "Dan" in the film. Having the ability to work with Dave was one of my life's greatest experiences and I have learned so much. I can be safe in saying, everyone on the set learned much from Dave.

The Neither Wolf Nor Dog film is based upon a book by the same name written by Kent Nerburn. The film project was directed and produced by Steven Lewis

Simpson, director Rez Bomb, The Hub, and Thunder-Being Nation. For those unfamiliar with the book, it was written nearly 20 years ago and has since sold over 100,000 copies and has won numerous awards including the Minnesota Book Award. Highly acclaimed, it's a story of triumph, learning, and cross-cultural connections. It features the South Dakota landscape and was filmed in and around one of the poorest areas in the country, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Quoting director Steven Simpson amidst the chaos behind the scenes, "This project larger than any of us!" And I am so proud to share some of my story with you.

The story of Neither Wolf Nor Dog is a story of modern, or contemporary, Reservation life that very few outside of Indian Country get to experience. It is a story that features two characters from two different worlds, Native and non-Native, challenging stereotypes and myths about the American Indian experience. Along the way, we meet a variety of characters that are common to many Indian Reservations and we see the main characters reactions to every aspect of the story. Each character is challenged and awakened by each other to find a common voice, to share intimate insights about American Indians that very few understand. It is a story that is intended to empower the American Indian voice and it was truly a privilege to work with so many passionate people to tell such a provoking story.

Expect Neither Wolf Nor Dog to be a hit in 2015. For more information on the film and it's production, please visit www.facebook.com/neitherwolfnordog.

I'm working on composing and recording my next album and what better place to do it than the

location of this story - the Black Hills. I am working with the location sound mixer of the film, Mr. Rick Van Ness of the Black Hills Film Festival. It is such a blessing to share this experience through the gift of music with the world. Thank you!

Mascots

Mascots. Oh, what fun! When I mention mascots I'm not referring to "Tigers", "Dolphins", or "Spartans", but rather mascots that refer to American Indian people and culture. And everyone has an opinion about them because they are everywhere. This is an area I can say I have intimate experience with as I've fought a mascot war and, somehow, won. We all know what they refer to: Chiefs, Warriors, Indians, Redskins, and more. More and more people are publicly discussing American Indian mascots and the affects it has on a number of issues from test scores to self-identity and from community pride to honoring traditions. Movements have been created to abolish mascots as well as "save" them, conferences and conventions are continuously held attracting both media and scholarly attention, resolutions are passed among organizations, and legislation has been passed to both abolish and keep them. One could say there sure is a lot of fuss about mascots and American Indian people. This is my input.

I'm "new" to the mascot game. Mascots and the use of American Indian imagery have been around longer than I have been alive. My experience with mascots growing up wasn't what it was like when I became an adult because they weren't important to me or anyone I knew. I grew up on the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation in Northern Wisconsin, a beautiful woodland Ojibwe Indian community filled with lakes and streams that attracts visitors from all over the globe. During my upbringing there was a clash of cultures that made international headlines centered around my people's right to fish off the reservation. My people, the Ojibwe, retained their right to hunt, fish, and gather on the lands given to the United States Government for colonization and its resources. Reservations were created as a result of treaties and those who settled on reservations were affected detrimentally and the people soon lost much of its culture, language, and identity. The Ojibwe, like every other tribe, were to remain within reservation boundaries and become dependent on government assistance promised in treaties for the exchange of their lands or perish. It was that simple. With the government and its citizens focused heavily on keeping Indians within reservation boundaries, Indians avoided leaving the reservation entirely to avoid harassment, prosecution, and even death. The right to hunt, fish, and gather off the reservation was widely abandoned or done in secrecy.

Although generations of Ojibwe widely avoided exercising their right to hunt, fish, and gather off the reservations they never forgot their right. In the 1970's two Ojibwe members from the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation were arrested by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for possessing a fish spear and occupying a fish-shanty off the reservation. The State arrested the two men under the assumption that the Ojibwe had no right to spear fish outside the reservation. The members and their Tribe filed suit against the State of Wisconsin stating that the Ojibwe retained the right to hunt, fish, and gather off the reservation and that the State had no right to stop them from doing so. The lawsuit made state headlines and started heated discourse not only in the State of Wisconsin, but throughout the country on Indian Treaty Rights. It seemed everyone was invested in what the State had to say about the Ojibwe of Wisconsin and their right to gather off the reservation. The State of Wisconsin, unable to accept that one of its departments was wrong in its treatment towards Indians, ruled against the Tribes and their treaty rights citing that treaties were nonexistent. The Lac Courte Oreilles and other Wisconsin Ojibwe tribes appealed the decision and the United States reaffirmed the rights of the Ojibwe to hunt, fish, and gather within the ceded territory. One would think it would have ended there, but it did not. The State foolishly appealed the decision and the United States Supreme Court of Appeals refused to hear the appeal. Wisconsin's citizens reacted with uproar and began protesting by the hundreds near reservation communities, specifically during spearfishing season which was immediately when the lakes thawed in the Spring. Slogans such as "Save a Walleye, Spear an Indian," and "Go home, timber-nigger" were the battle cries of Northern Wisconsin's non-Indian community. This is the environment myself and my peers were raised in, it was normal to be hated simply for being Indian.

My community, like many other indigenous communities throughout the continent, is still struggling to survive and save what culture that managed survive. We lost so much. Decades of government neglect has led to reservation poverty, a poverty America does not want to hear about, yet far too many American Indian people know all too well. My exposure to other types of people only happened if my family left the reservation, which wasn't often, and was never polite as you read above. I, like many of my peers growing up on the reservation, wasn't raised to be concerned at all about the use of American Indian mascots. It wasn't until I became a teenager did I realize that I was "Indian" and different from those in the surrounding communities, which are non-Indian. Like my peers, I didn't like the stares directed towards me and my family when we left the reservation and knew all too well that those in the surrounding communities didn't like us because of our race. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to move far away from that kind of environment.

I went about my schooling on the reservation through 8th grade and continued with high school in the town infamous in its opposition towards the Ojibwe's right to fish, hunt and gather off the reservation - Minocqua, Wisconsin. It was either that or boarding school in Flandreau, South Dakota and with my parents being boarding school alumni that wasn't an option. To this day there is a one-sided version of the happenings of what the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe is doing in regards to all things off the reservation and it doesn't include the Tribe's input. It wasn't until I left the Northwoods of Wisconsin that I realized how uneasy communities in Northern Wisconsin are towards my community. I strived to be an example as a student while attending high school off the reservation in any way I could because I was well-aware how people thought about those from Lac du Flambeau. I participated in as much as I could as a student and realized that in both the classroom and in team sports that I was often the only Indian in the mix. I learned as an adolescent that I was to both be a representative of my community and be my own person, which was not an easy thing to do because I didn't know how to do either of those things very well. I just wanted to be a kid. I didn't know how to answer questions as to what kind of food we ate, what kind of house we lived in, or what kind of god I had. I tried so hard to overcome stereotypes that my identity became a sort of avoiding being judged, not totally sure of myself. I

focused so hard on breaking the stereotypes of the dumb, lazy Indian that I was welcomed on the National Honor Society and became the Captain of the Boys' Varsity Basketball and Track & Field Teams. At the end of that part of my life, I had options as a result of my assertiveness and I choose Marquette University for a number of reasons, mainly because of its seal and all it represented - a former, longstanding partnership with the original people of the Great Lakes, the Anishinaabe. Anishinaabe is the word used by the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa people of the Great Lakes for person or people. With encroaching European nations fighting over Indian land, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa being similar culturally and linguistically, formed an alliance known as the Three Fires Confederacy. Although the Anishinaabe man appears submissive to Father Pere Marquette, the image communicated to me of the contributions of America's original people. I assumed the University honored a historical partnership of two nations, two peoples, two ways of life. I found out within a week that I was completely wrong in my assumptions.

Upon my arrival on campus I immediately noticed groups of students, mainly white/Caucasian, wearing a shirt that sported "Warriors Forever" that featured an American Indian "warrior". And I realized immediately that even if I had walked around with a shirt that featured such a statement like that that some people in my community would have something to say, most of those things not being very nice. In other words, I would never be brave enough to make such a statement back home and thought I'd start asking these students where they got that shirt from. Their response was either a blatant ignore or a "why?" I never found out where they got those shirts. I let that be for a while, but even then I felt uncomfortable. I later found out that the college I decided to go to used to have an American Indian mascot. I felt a sort of confusion because I didn't know what to think, but knew that had I known that before I chose this school I would have went somewhere else. Why? Because every day there was a student that featured the shirt and statement I saw on my first day on campus, which wasn't a great first impression and did not ever feel good.

I found out that some years before I went to Marquette that the former president of the University suddenly chose to change the name and mascot for reasons that are obvious and he was forced out of his position from alumni and members of the community. My hat's off to him. But at the end of my sophomore year at the commencement address, one of the board of trustees (I won't say who it was) decided to publicly donate the university $1,000,000 to the university if the school brought back the "Warriors". A good friend of mine was graduating so my mother came down from Lac du Flambeau to celebrate the accomplishment and as soon as we heard this public announcement we looked at each other in disgust as the entire stadium of 20,000 people cheered in applause. Even more disgusting was that if they school were to bring the name back several others would also match his $1,000,000. The crowd is going wild and I'm so upset I don't know what to do. My views and value towards my school suddenly changed. At the moment the President announced that the university would publicly deny the donation, but would seriously consider if it's possibility!

So the summer of 2004 Marquette University publicly announced that it would go on a "fact-finding" mission to gather data of whether it would be a good idea or not to bring the "Warriors" back. Can you believe it? Nonetheless, I come back to school that next fall confused, angry, upset, and determined to make sure my voice is heard. Why? No one else was going to do it. Suddenly, everyone on campus has something to say about the Warriors and I simply listen. The things I hear upset me more and more every day. And rather than act out about it, I became proactive. I decided to offer what I knew about my heritage and take it to the classrooms at Marquette. I started building relationships with professors and identified myself as American Indian and where I was from. Some dug it, some had jam-packed courses and didn't have room to offer a guest lecture. I start going into classes talking about literature, language, philosophy, political science, theology, anthropology, criminology, sociology and know nothing about these topics! And as soon as I'm done speaking I have dozens of students raising their hands to ask me about the mascot issue and I thought my evil plan worked. I gave them my opinion - "Imagine if your race, your culture and everything you think is sacred about it was made into a spectacle for others who do not know you or want to know you to make fun of it." But what's interesting about that whole experience of being in the classroom was students and the community could not separate its history with the use of American Indian imagery and no matter how hard they tried to bring it back and do the right thing it wasn't going to work. Of course, I have dozens of rebuttals such as "We want to honor you people," and "Why is it such a big deal?" Those questions alone demonstrate an inability for an individual to grasp the concept of the issue. Yes, I've dealt with other cultures and their uses in sports and media. Here's my response, "This isn't about them or how they feel about their culture, this is about American Indian people." Most people get angry because they can't get their way. I'm not budging.

One of the most difficult experiences for me in this experience was prior to one class (I'm always early to class) I hear some students making comments about "Who do these Indians think they are telling use we can't honor them or use their culture?" I kept to myself and kept listening. And as soon as the instructor walks into the classroom he joins in the conversation and adds to their statements adding that "we" get casinos and don't have to pay taxes and live off the government and get our school paid for. I stood up and could not help myself and just walked out of the classroom. I didn't know what to do. I'm feeling alone, isolated and everywhere I go I hear things like this. I have very friends during this process. I met this really cool philosophy professor who taught Leonard Peltier's book in this Theory of Ethics course and I went to him. He took me to administration and flipped out. An emergency meeting was arranged with all those who checked the box "American Indian/Alaskan Native" and the President of the University. It's a week later. I show up and surprisingly there are others who checked that box, they look like my non-Indian neighbors from back home. I'm alone. I don't care. I give the group my piece of mind and share how disrespectful and shameful the university should be to even consider bringing back a racist tradition for the sake of money. Everyone is uncomfortable and I demonstrate that's exactly how I feel every single class I walk into, every day. And there's a challenge with American Indian identity. Someone could grow up their entire life not realizing or embracing their heritage or cultural background and suddenly take advantage of it when there are benefits attached to it and somehow they are representatives of American Indian people as a whole. I explain my identity and why the issue at hand is such a disgrace to the university, considering it's a Jesuit school. I bust out quotes from the Bible, the President being a Jesuit has heard enough and he knows where I stand. He looks me in the eye and shares how much he appreciates me coming to meet him and will take my words and experiences heavily into consideration. All I can do is take his word.

Not long after that news stations found out there was an American Indian student who was very vocal in opposition the idea of bringing the name back and I started getting phone calls. I'm on TV regularly answering questions about where I'm from, why I chose the school, and why I oppose the name. I tackle any issue I can and hope it makes it on the air. I discuss the disgrace of honor - if you want to honor us, ask us. I discuss the use of other cultures and races and their uses of mascots and most people get upset. Think about this, what would America do if the Duke University Bluedevils suddenly changed to the Duke Whitedevils? And I simply stick to my viewpoint. After that I had someone from administration shadows me constantly, everywhere. It makes me uncomfortable. I get hate emails, death threats, my known friends get hate emails (probably from their friends) and people are staging walk-outs in class. As soon as I sit down everyone else walks out. Shit gets worse. This was only 10 years ago. When these things started happening I had a variety of faculty and staff reach out to me and offer support because no student would stick their neck out for me and be seen with me. I start hating where I go to school. It's difficult to even write about it because I just want to let it go, but I feel it is important. It shaped who I am, how I operate and how I get much of what I get done today. I speak what's on my mind because no one will.

Decision time comes and there are demonstrations all over campus, including one of my own and surprisingly I have a ton of support. People are coming up to me asking questions and silently root for me. I get it, I can see through pretentiousness. All day people are pacing waiting for the university to make a decision. It was the main story in the city all day long so I was talking to reporters and speaking my mind all day. The city was hearing what I had to say about what was going on at this school and I just want it to end. It was on live television when the President approached the press stand and made a surprising announcement that the University would NOT be going back to the Warriors and would be changing their name entirely to an entirely new name. There are mixed reactions. All of my supporters come up to me, hug me, jump around and it was a glorious moment. But what the facts have shown was that people felt that the current mascot didn't give them enough pride and wanted something different - Warriors was not an option. The President quoted me and said, "We can't teach one thing in the classroom and do another." People are outraged. They take their degrees onto the union and burn them up and share how the university took their identity from them. All I can do is smile and walk away. I can breathe. I did it. I made it.

As soon as the journey ended I went all over the United States speaking at colleges, conferences and events about the issue I just experienced and changed a lot of opinions from personal experience, not because of what I'm saying. American Indian mascots have no room in this country. It's time to go. Leave us alone! Let us determine our identity, our future, our culture and respect that. It's okay if we can make decisions on our own. If you want to respect us, ask us. It's okay to not know.

Thank you! P.S. No hate mail

March|April 2014

March was a very exciting month for number of reasons. I have so many exciting things to share that it has taken me longer than I had anticipated to pull it all together. I've had some great experiences and am glad to say that I have much to share.

I'm in recovery mode from the month of March. I traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to participate in a number of events that promoted and advanced American Indian culture and communities.

Starting with Louisville, Kentucky we had the opportunity to participate in the University of Louisville's Native American Appreciation Night in honor of the Schimmel Sisters from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. I composed and performed an honor song in front of a sold-out audience in honor of Shoni Schimmel, a Senior and All-American from the Umatilla Tribe in the State of Oregon. As I arrived in Louisville I noticed Indian people from all over the United States had travelled to celebrate the contribution of the Schimmel Sisters. This rarely happens - getting that many Indians in one place for the same purpose. In my lifetime, this was one of the most memorable and respectful acts an organization has d

one to honor the contributions of an American Indian person and many were there to witness it. Not only did the organization squeeze the event on their already full season, but hosted it in the biggest game of the Louisville Cardinals Women's Basketball season as they hosted the top ranked Women's Basketball team in the NCAA. Invitations were sent to Tribes throughout the United States and as many as 300 tribes were represented. I saw people from New Mexico, New York, Michigan, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Florida. I felt extremely privileged to share such an experience with my family and incredibly lucky represent not only them in such an honor, but all American Indian people. After the event I found out that the event was largest attended event in NCAA Women's Basketball history! 22,163 people attended the University of Louisville's Native American Appreciation Night to honor the success of one of the most successful American Indian athletes in history. It was a thrilling experience and my hat goes off to Shoni Schimmel and the success she has given not only to the University of Louisville, but the path she has paved for American Indian people everywhere.

Immediately the next morning I had to pack up and make it to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to attend and present at the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism. Yikes! I had the honor to present with a panel of other individuals that are dedicated to Native culture and improving efforts to increase tourism and visitors to our communities. The message - if you haven't been to one of Wisconsin's Indian Reservations you're missing out! Seriously. There is much to enjoy and experience in each of Wisconsin's American Indian communities and we are always open to sharing who we are, where we come from, and where we want to go. I'm glad to say that I've met some great people at the conference, established wonderful connections, and became a partner with Native Tourism of Wisconsin as a result of the conference. The sky is the limit. Our collective goal is to showcase our cultures, assist Tribes in the State of Wisconsin in developing opportunities to do so, how to communicate such efforts, and how to build partnerships.These efforts and plans will be fully revealed at Native Wisconsin's Annual Conference at the Oneida Casino & Resort this June during my keynote presentation to tourism professionals dedicated to increasing visitors to Wisconsin's American Indian communities. Ultimately, we will build a better Wisconsin with everyone included. I had the blessing to close the panel with a song and exposed those who attended the panel to music that they never had heard creating an immediate curiosity of who we are, where we come from, and how to work together. Music has that tendency.

Upon my return home I began my music residency at the Indian Community School of Milwaukee. I have the extreme privilege to work with young minds for a period of time and teach them as much as I know about the flute. I have to pause a moment because this has always been a dream of mine, to give back to the next generation and I can't believe it is actually happening. It is a wonderful feeling to work with students and I leave the school every day extremely happy that I have this opportunity. The Indian Community School has a great asset in their music teacher, Ms. Amanda Satchell. I always find it extremely respectable for people and organizations to consult and invite local assets to contribute to their mission and goal and my hat goes off to her and her goals with the students. This action rarely happens to us. We have such a long history of people making decisions about us without consulting with us. When I began I was extremely impressed with the students progress already as most of them could already play the instrument to an extent. With time flying by we are already planning a community concert to showcase the students and the organization's dedication to preserving American Indian culture.

A few days ago I just returned from the Anishinaabemowin Teg's Annual Conference. Close to 700 Anishinaabe language activists and educators attended the conference and I had the opportunity to create and deliver the children's program. And not only did I survive the conference , but I successfully delivered Children's Program of the Anishinaabemowin Teg's 20th Annual Conference. I had the opportunity to perform and showcase my music in front of the entire conference and my goal was to inspire our people through my music and I've heard powerful things from people. I heard wonderful things from children, from parents and from the conference itself in our contributions to the organization. I learned much about myself, where we can go, and most of all from the children themselves. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life to work with Anishinaabe students from all over Ojibwe Country. There were many children who traveled hundreds of miles to be at the conference with their parents from both the US and Canada. Close to the conclusion of conference I got caught up a little emotionally as I realized that I didn't have all the time as I would have liked to work with them and that our family had the potential to touch the lives of our next generation in such a way. Young minds were learning as much language as I knew and that was extremely powerful in many ways. I look forward to working in more ways with the revitalization of our language and culture. If you have inquiries or questions about how to work with me please do not hesitate to email me at darren@darrenthompson.net.

On the horizon are many great things. I'm looking forward to presenting and performing at Native American Tourism of Wisconsin's Annual Conference this summer. Not long after that I return home to Lac du Flambeau to conduct my Native Flute Workshop where students from all over the country are coming to attend. I want to give them a memorable time to always think fondly of their visit to Lac du Flambeau. There is much to accomplish this year and am looking forward to putting all of this energy into my music as I prepare "Red Notes". If you are attending NATOW's Annual Convention be sure to stop by and say aaniin! Aho! Mi-iw. That's it.

Baamaa pii (Until next time),

Darren Thompson

February 2014

2014 is off to an exciting start and I cannot wait to share the exciting experiences that lay ahead.

Earlier this month I received a phone call from a fellow Lac du Flambeau tribal member, Dr. Selene Phillips, at the University of Louisville asking if I would be interested in participating in the University's Native American Appreciation Night. Unfamiliar to exactly what that meant at that institution, I needed some clarity. And it turns out the University of Louisville has dedicated the last home game of the season to give thanks to the astounding contributions of two of their star players, who are both tribal members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla (Oregon) and are sisters! It took a minute to connect that the University of Louisville went as far as honoring the Schimmel sisters and their heritage as this never happens on a scale like this. This is the first time in history where two American Indian sisters have made such an impact to lead a prestigious basketball program such as Louisville to a National Championship game. As soon as it took me to realize that the invitation to participate in the University's dedication to the Schimmel sisters was real I said, "I'm in." Hundreds of other tribal dignitaries, youth, and programs throughout Indian Country are attending the game and I couldn't be more honored to pay tribute to one of the most celebrated American Indian athletic accomplishments in history.

Upon our return home we'll be visiting the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I'll be participating in a roundtable discussion on Native Tourism in the State of Wisconsin. Historically, tourism has lacked in Indian Country for a number of reasons. Since the inception of reservations, Indian communities have been out of sight, out of mind and many people don't realize we still exist. Tribal Gaming has, of course, brought a flux of visitors to our communities, but tourism is more than Tribal Gaming. Coming from a Tribal community, I know firsthand of the rich and beautiful opportunities our communities can offer the world. It is an experience unlike any other to visit a Tribal community and I am extremely privileged to be able to travel and experience so many other Tribal communities. I feel a great sense of pride to be able to contribute to such a meaningful focus area for not only Wisconsin's Tribal communities, but the State of Wisconsin as well. I couldn't be more honored to represent such a beautiful community. I will be discussing the possibilities as well as benefits of highlight Native American artists and culture throughout the State based on my experiences with the International Institute of Wisconsin, Visit Milwaukee, and the World Flute Society's Inaugural Convention which is being held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin this summer. I am hosting as Master of Ceremonies and the Native American flute will be on center stage with enthusiasts from all over the globe. My workshop at Dillman's Bay Resort about the Native American flute has always been a vision of mine and, of course, I will discuss the planning and goals of the workshop on the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Reservation. My main goal is to expose visitors and those interested in American Indian culture in a genuine way, one that honors our heritage and our history - an experience one will remember. I'll also get to meet Jordy Nelson of the Green Bay Packers! I'm such a big fan and that alone is worth attending the conference. I'll post some pictures with smiles all around. Please visit www.wigcot.org for more information.

Also excited to announce, I'm going to be an "artist in residence" at the Indian Community School of Milwaukee for the remainder of the school year. It is with extreme humility and honor to be able to share that I've worked in any capacity with the next generation. My goals are to expose students to the instrument, share some of its uses in historical and modern society, instruct how the instrument is played and how to make songs, and personally develop as an instructor. For those unfamiliar with the Indian Community School of Milwaukee it is an amazing facility and an organization that boasts a vision that inspires the work I do, to develop a strong identity through teachings and ways of learning that are unique to American Indian people. I've also been given the opportunity to use the space to record my next album and I cannot tell you how excited I am to have studio space. You have to see the Indian Community School one day! To learn more about the school please visit www.ics-milw.org. I'll also be posting some photos as I work with such gifted and talented children.

On the horizon is the 20th Anniversary of the Anishinabemowin-Teg Language Conference in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. I will be delivering the children's program for the internationally attended Ojibwe language immersion conference. I've been spending a lot of time planning, practicing, and anticipating working with Anishinabe aabinoojiiyag (Ojibwe/Potawatomi/Odawa youth). Hundreds of champions of the Ojibwe Language Revitalization movement will be in attendance and I cannot emphasize how excited I am to showcase my community in such a way. Please visit www.anishinaabemowin-teg.org/ for more information.

So yes, we've been busy! Thank you so much for your time. If you haven't done so yet, please purchase a copy of "The Song of Flower" before they're all sold out. Red Notes is coming soon!

Baamaapii (Until next time!),

Darren Thompson

January 2014

Boozhoo! Greetings! Hello!

Biindigen! Welcome. It has been some years since I've blogged. Many great things have happened since darrenthompson.net was last published. An album has been released ("The Song of Flower"), an overseas tour occurred, my family has grown, and new horizons continue to surface. I have thought long and hard about what I should communicate, what I want to accomplish, and what to share with the world through my music. First, I'd like to say that I am deeply honored and humbled that I have the privilege to share my cultural heritage and talent with the world. It took a lot of years to accept that I have a "talent". For years I looked at what I did as sort of a hobby and something I would grow out of. I started playing and performing almost ten years ago while an undergraduate at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin because I was bored. I spent most of my upbringing in athletics so flute playing was sort of a "no-no" in the social circles I was accustomed to being around. Nonetheless, I've accepted that I can do something and I'm going all in.

Music has blessed me with many opportunities and experiences I never thought possible. It has opened doors and given me the experience and passion to participate in discussions that change communities. It has introduced me to some amazingly talented people and taken me to awe-inspiring communities. My music allows me to share the rich history and culture of my people - the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Nation - as well as the plight that many other American Indian communities face to this day. We share a tragic history of great loss in all ways the term is defined. Centuries of misplacement and oppression. It is a part of our history. It is a part of our identity. And it is extremely difficult to communicate our history for countless reasons and most times it is unspoken of. However, my music has blessed with me with many opportunities to build relationships and bring truth to light. I am always humbled by the reaction of not only Native people, but non as well.

I am proud to say that we are making a strong comeback. Day by day we are reclaiming our heritage and our identity. Because we are such a small population it's a powerful force to share the culture of American Indian heritage with the world. The struggles American Indian people and communities face are ongoing and I will always be dedicated to them. There are many inspiring communities and people who are dedicated to the revival of our culture and our communities - thank you, you inspire me!

2014 is bound to be an exciting year.

I am in the studio working on my second album, "Red Notes". Red Notes is an idea I have had for years. Red Notes is going to be a unique recording where I'm using historical instruments that are very different than the style of flutes we have grown accustomed to hearing. It took me years to get my hands on instruments that date back hundreds of years. What's even more significant is that it was even more difficult to teach myself how to play them as well as make songs. Remember, we lost a lot. I have always been inspired by our past and I want to dedicate my second album to that past. I have spent years both researching old documents and special archives throughout the Great Lakes area seeking any materials that relate to the American Indian flute and its music. It has given me many ideas and blessed me with the energy I need to record.

I am excited to announce that I will also be hosting the 2nd Annual Native American Flute Journeys Retreat and Workshop in my hometown of Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin at Dillman's Bay Resort. It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about the Native American flute in the environment I was born and raised in, the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Reservation. I am always excited to return home, to visit family, to bring my children to experience their ancestral homeland, and to find that energy we all need in places that speak to us. I will be hosting with the legendary Frank "Anakwad" Montano from the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe and I am beyond honored. He mentioned to let people know he's turning 73 this coming year! For more information about the workshop such as the schedule, pricing, please visit my WORKSHOPS page.

I'm also partnering with Native American Tourism of Wisconsin, a Governor appointed council dedicated to driving tourism in Wisconsin's Indian communities. There are some great ideas in the mix and are still in planning. I'll announce more information when it becomes available.

Lastly I'd like to say miigwetch! Thank you for visiting DarrenThompson.net. I am honored that you have taken the time to learn a little about about me, about what I do, and hopefully enjoyed some of my music.

Baamaapii (Until next time),

Darren Thompson