Even as Indigenous musician Mali Obomsawin was playing the festival circuit with the Boston folk trio Lula Wiles, the bassist was thinking of composing a suite that would explore their Wabanaki heritage through the lens of modern creative jazz. When Lula Wiles went on an indefinite hiatus, Obomsawin made this dream a reality, releasing a recording called “Sweet Tooth” and embarking on a tour that is playing listening rooms like Club Passim as well as the Odanak First Nations Reserve in Quebec Canada. A collection of three movements, “Sweet Tooth” is a stirring and profoundly original piece of music in which ancient Wabanaki songs intertwine with free jazz. Obomsawin says “I’m passionate about traditional music, and I’m passionate about free improvisation and creative music.” – She says Wabanaki songs “are amazing melodies”.
A two hour ceremony was held in Massachusetts on Saturday to mark the symbolic return of about 150 items considered sacred by the Sioux peoples that had been stored at a small Massachusetts museum for more than a century. The ceremony included representatives of the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes. The artifacts were officially handed over during a private ceremony. The items include weapons, pipes, moccasins and clothing. Several of the items are thought to have a direct link to the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota. The items had been held by the Founders Museum in Barre, Massachusetts. Cedric Broken Nose, a direct descendent of Chief Big Foot told KIPI news he is on the road back with the items and should arrive at Wounded Knee today.
Staff at KIPI radio remind you to get out and Vote today to have your voice heard…polls opened at 7 this morning and will close at 7 this evening.