A Voice for the Lakota
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Got to Know You |
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JUST IN REACH of the Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota lies unincorporated Whiteclay, Neb., a town in the midst of socioeconomic disarray and a struggle for land.
But hidden under those layers is a story of hope, a message of support and encouragement for the Lakota people. It’s a story that unites a Lakota man driving to succeed, a talented college student, and a pastor and a nurse who felt called to spread the love they found in Jesus Christ.
Through a ministry called 555 Whiteclay, Pastor Bruce Bonfleur, and his wife, Marsha, work to cultivate the skills of Lakota Indians, like those of Billy Janis, who developed his recording studio and screen printing business out of a broom closet in the 555 Whiteclay building. 555 Whiteclay also provides meals, clothing, household items and resources to help fight alcoholism and other addictions to those who need them.
In 2008, a mutual friend of Janis and Gordon resident Kelly Francis committed suicide on the Niobrara River, south of Gordon. This tragic event moved Francis, a nurse at Pine Ridge Schools and leader of the Young Life youth group, to write down words that would become the lyrics to a song called “Niobrara.” In the end, “Niobrara” gave way to an entire hip-hop, rap and R&B album, “Voice, The Vision” by Native Era presents: Arielle~n~Mista Futuristic.
The lyrics to “Niobrara” are ones Francis would have voiced if given the opportunity to talk to her young Lakota friend before his death.
“What verses would I have read to him, we put in that song,” she said. “Billy added his own part because he’s seen this over and over.”
With the persuasion of Francis, Janis included the vocals of Arielle Tiensvold, a 2009 Gordon-Rushville High School graduate and Cottey College (Nevada, Mo.) sophomore majoring in music education. The CD also includes guest vocals by N.R.S.-N-J. King, Cyrus and Joe Walking, and 2009 Native American Music Award winner Will Peters.
In a blend of Christian values and Lakota beliefs, the song, “Warrior Spirit,” references Lakota ancestors, whose violence long ago to protect their people contradicts the current gang violence on the reservation. Track No. 8, “Got to Know You,” speaks of the importance of moving past the long race struggle between white men at the border of the reservation and the Lakota people.
Featuring Peters, “Low” contains chilling lyrics about a wife and husband’s battle against alcoholism, which Francis said plagues more than 80 percent of the reservation’s adult population. And in another effort to offer relational material for other Lakotas, Janis shares his own story, “On My Mind,” of God calling him out of his dire situation on the reservation.
The combination of inspirational lyrics and stirring beats has earned “Voice, The Vision” preliminary nominations for six Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs) this year. The album acts as a testimony, offers hope from despair, provides answers to Lakota struggles and is dedicated to preventing suicide. For this reason, Francis believes the most important thing is to get the CD into the right hands.
“The right hands are people with no money at all,” she said.
