A Tribe Called Red Closes 10th Anniversary at Manifesto Festival with Standing Rock Solitude

Toronto’s annual Manifesto Festival conducted their 10th year anniversary through Sept 8-18. The First Nations DJs, DJ NDN, 2oolman and Bear Witness met more than high expectations of their headliner set at Yonge and Dundas square this past Sunday evening.

The grand finale block party brought over 5,000 people that joined A Tribe Called Red in Solidarity with Standing Rock. The Juno Award-Winning trio ended their show leading the crowd with the chant of, “We Stand With Standing Rock!” Thousands raised their fist in support of the anti-Dakota Access Pipeline protestors that was also brought onto the stage with a hashtag sign, #NODAPL

During their set musical elements of hip-hop and reggaeton played than their usual line of work. Their EDM influences such as Electric Pow Wow has over 5 Million views on YouTube. Video presentation mixing from Bear Witness had intentions of showcasing deconstructing footage of pop culture of Indigenious people as a whole.

The line of guests and dancers also contributed to the finale such as, Tanya Tagaq  Lido Pimienta & Canadian rapper Shad.

As an Aborginal youth living in Toronto, Ontario I was truly moved and proud to be apart of the chant as I raised my fist held high. Although, I cannot be in North Dakota to show my support physically atleast I was able to contribute to a cause by standing up for what is right for future generations. The multibillion dollar pipeline project will affect reservation’s drinking water, and disturb traditional sacred land. There are many northern communities in Canada that have to live by “boil water before drinking” guideline. The younger generations are affected because poor nutrition is caused by that. Imagine building a pipeline that will scope throughout North America that is also known to be the largest project to date.

The controversy of keeping undocumented oil spills and pipeline leaks leave a major concern to people in North America and Indigenous communities. The pipeline is planned to go through North Dakota, South Dakota, Illonis and Iowa. 570,000 barrels of oil a day ingitated from North Dakota’s oil company Bakken Formation.