M.I.S. - Native Metal Empowerment

The problem we are addressing is the lack of representation of our Indigenous narratives and experiences in a society committed to our erasure. The solution we are proposing is our Indigenous metal band, M.I.S. - Merciless Indian Savages. Through our band, we will write, record, and perform songs based on a reflection of our collective contemporary experience with colonization. I want to make music about who we are, what we went through, how we see the world now, what problems exist, language loss, inter-generational trauma, Indigenous resurgence, resistance, and reclamation. I ultimately wish to make music for my younger self, injecting knowledge I wish I understood sooner. Music that validates the specific experience of contemporary Native people living with the trauma sustained from colonization. Our project can positively change lives by creating music that is empowering. Creating Indigenous metal medicine that speaks to the experience of youth across communities.

The specific problem we are working to solve is the representation of Native people. There is a severe under representation and misrepresentation of Indigenous people in the media and the scale of this issue is enormous. According to Fryberg, Native characters represented on television are only 0 to 0.4% (2015). Stereotypical depictions also distort our minuscule media representation due to the presence of Native mascots, Hollywood film characters, and exclusive portrayal as only historical figures (King, 2008). I could not find data on Indigenous musicians, but there is no doubt the representation is dismal. This lack of Native representation has a detrimental impact on Indigenous youth across the country. By centering our band around Indigenous narratives, we hope to increase accurate and truthful reflections of contemporary Native experiences. We also recognize the presence and influence that metal music has in Native communities. We want to utilize this medium as an opportunity for social change. Our narrative needs to be seen in contemporary media more in order to continue. Our band can start filling that void within the context of metal music. 

We are an Indigenous metal band whose purpose is to use metal as a catalyst for social change. The band currently comprises Navajo, Aluet, Hopi, and Pima members that each share a strong connection and passion for our respective Indigenous cultures and communities. Our collective Indigenous identities and experiences fuel the lyrical content of our music. The songs we create will have concise themes or stories that highlight aspects of the Indigenous experience. Our vision is to use heavy metal music as a medium to spread awareness and knowledge around Indigenous issues, identity, and culture. We hope to represent issues we encounter in our daily lives as well as draw attention to the greater histories and systems that perpetuate colonization.

We will be able to highlight experiences that resonate with metalheads across Indian Country and challenge existing ideologies that suppress indigeneity. Metal speaks to our experience and is a way to channel the frustrations built up inside us from all the trauma we have sustained and continue to sustain as Indigenous people. With this band, I hope to create space to uplift Indigenous narratives that educate and resonate with listeners through the concepts of our songs. 

As Native musicians, I anticipate that our audience will be Native youth and Indigenous millennials. I grew up and navigated the challenges being a Navajo raised on the reservation. I have witnessed the conditions and systems that our Native youth endure. I know that in order to endure life on the rez, you need an outlet. For me and many other Indigenous youth that outlet is music. With intergenerational trauma impacting many of our lives, music has been adopted as a form of healing and medicine for Native youth. Trauma is among the most important topics that doesn’t get addressed or normally communicated on the rez. I used metal music to get myself through some tough circumstances that are too common on the rez. Metal speaks to this experience and is a way to channel the frustrations built up inside us from all the trauma we have sustained and continue to sustain as Indigenous people, especially for the relatives that are subjected to the challenges of the rez daily.

Throughout our college experience (we are all Stanford graduates), we have been able to understand and think more critically about our Native identity in the context of the world beyond our own communities. Given this space to think critically, we were able to better understand the root causes of the difficulties that our people face. In order to solve these problems, more people need to be able to participate in these conversations. Unfortunately most Native people, especially our youth, in communities across the continent are not given the chance to engage. I come from a community where most of us were not privileged to think critically about our identity. Rather, the harsh conditions that we experience force us into survival mode, which impedes the depth of engagement we need in order to begin truly improving the standard of living in our communities. Metal music can be a medium for this kind of social impact. It can address and transcend the systemic barriers that keep Native people from the spaces we need to more effectively engage.

The hard truth is that the conversations about the topics we hope to highlight in our music often only occur in western academic settings, between people that are only validated through these western academic systems; the same systems which are designed to hinder the progress of Indigenous people. We know, however, that real change does not come from academia, it comes when real people on the frontlines, in the communities that are directly impacted, are motivated to make a difference. This motivation is inspired when everyone, not just those in academia, has a space that gives them the opportunity to partake in the very discourse that affects them. The Dakota Access Pipeline protest at Standing Rock is a great example of this. This movement was able to show the world the attack on Indigenous people’s sovereignty and rights. More people were able to understand and see the violence perpetrated by the government and companies when Indigenous people defended the land we hold sacred. They were able to engage in issues we face. This is the kind of impact we hope to achieve with our music. We want the ideas we present to spark discussions and give a space and a voice to those who do not feel like they have that opportunity otherwise.

Native people need to be more represented in society. We need to see ourselves in the future. We need to stop adapting to western culture and start adapting it to us. We are not in control of how the world perceives us because we are systematically kept from holding the power to define ourselves.  As a band, we wish to aid our communities in regaining and exercising this power. To act as the soundtrack for the impending Indigenous revolution. It is the perfect time for this Indigenous discourse to exist in metal music amidst the recent and ongoing Black Lives Matter movement. We see that this momentum has transferred onto Indigenous issues such as Native mascots, the downfall of monuments of white supremacy, DAPL getting shut down, the Keystone protest, and the Kumeyaay border wall resistance.

We don’t fit exactly in any of the given category choices. The music we will create will be educational, but not in the conventional sense. This will be reflected in the themes of our songs that we draw from our histories and experiences as Indigenous people. It will also be healing, as we aim to empower Indigenous youth. Giving them the perspective that is necessary for effective social change in our communities. This band gives us the opportunity to articulate difficult topics and issues pressing within our communities. Our songs will create a positive impact in the Indigenous metal community.

I have not seen any Native metal band with our purpose. In that way we are disruptive using metal as a catalyst for social change. 

To be determined. Our Instagram page currently has 400 followers. Have not been able to play lives shows due the pandemic. 

Our goal is to reach the metal Native community and youth. We hope to have a fan base of 50,000k or more within the next 5 years.

We financial barriers as a metal band just starting out trying to gain traction and fans. 

We plan to market our band, sell merch, participate in activism, play shows, collaborate with other Indigenous artists. 

Our does not have either of these distinctions yet as we are just starting out.

3 current band members.

We each carry experience and knowledge of the issues that Native communities face. As metal musicians, we have the musical skills as well to write, record, and perform the songs.

Ultimately, our hope is that one day our music will have global reach that will allow our perspectives to be heard by audiences beyond our communities. This would not only involve professionally produced music, touring widely, music videos, merchandise, and all the other things that come with being a successful band, but also participating in social activism and being conduits for education and understanding for Indigenous communities across the world.

This fellowship would give us the opportunity to spend a full year channeling the entirety of our energy into our music and message. We hope to write and record an entire album, relocate so that all of the band members are in one place to practice performing together, develop a social media following to spread awareness of our music and cause, and begin playing shows. 

The funds from the fellowship can help get our band up and running in many different ways. An initial priority would be to purchase equipment to more effectively write, record, and perform our music. This would include studio equipment such as software (e.g. Pro Tools), high quality studio monitors for appropriate mixing, and good microphones. Additionally, we need large amplifiers that can be used in a live performance setting. After we record the music we would be able to pay for professional mixing and mastering from a producer. Once the music is finished we will need to pay for copyrights, music publishing, and distributor fees for platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. 

I believe that our band has the potential to create social change in our communities through metal.

We want to be a position to become a full-time band touring and recording music. This can involve access to managers, promoters,  other artists and a supportive network within the music industry.  

We would like to partner and collaborate with other Indigenous artists and organizations doing similar work.