Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Dead Feather

Dead Feather - Red Poem

Written back in the mid-2000s, "Red Poem" reflects Dead Feather's personal journey as a deaf Native American artist seeking spiritual and cultural enlightenment. Inspired by his exploration of poetry and spoken word, the track delves into the complexities of historical relationships between the US and Native American communities. Drawing from a diverse range of influences, including iconic figures like Malcolm X and Bob Marley, Dead Feather's lyrical prowess shines through in this poignant composition. With its raw honesty and evocative storytelling, "Red Poem" stands out as a testament to Dead Feather's artistic evolution and his unwavering commitment to shedding light on important societal narratives.

Originating from Edmond, United States, Dead Feather is a deaf multidisciplinary artist whose latest project, an album titled Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) Vol. 1, delves into the effects of assimilation and the civilization process on the North American Indian, specifically the Mvskoke-Creek community. Dead Feather's art encompasses various mediums such as paintings, poetry, masks of forgotten deities, and music. The album's lead single, Corn Woman (Mother Woman), narrates the story of Uvce, the Corn Woman, mother of Fayetu, the Mvskoke hunting deity.

 For more information on Dead Feather's thought-provoking work, visit deadfeatherart.com.

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Interview with Red Poem

What inspired you to write “Red Poem” back in the mid-2000s?

Well, to understand the context of Red Poem, you have to be aware of the Dead Feather concept and the various elements that make up that creative experience. Along with tackling the subjects of assimilation and the civilization process concerning the North American Indian. The Dead Feather concept also carries themes of conflicted spirituality, cultural isolation and being deaf. I was never raised in a traditional household as far as Mvskoke-Creek beliefs and customs. Those experiences of learning about Mvskoke-Creek history, folklore and customs always came from visiting distant cousins, family or friends who were raised with that traditional knowledge or the information was passed down from my grandfather. But it wasn't practiced in the household. This is all a part of the effects of the civilization process put into place by George Washington in the late 1790's. The process utilized the Bible for Christianizing the Mvskoke-Creek and forcing the English language upon them. The process did away with any traditional beliefs and practices. My grandfather was forced to go to a boarding school and to speak English and later became a Baptist preacher. So, as a young creative at the time, I was always in search of Native American history, especially stories relating to Mvskoke-Creek spirituality or traditions. The community I was sharing my poetry with was really into the slam genre of poetry. That wasn't necessarily my style, but I went along. Red Poem is an observation on the historical relationship between the US and the Native American community through the eyes of an uneducated deaf Native American born into the lower rungs of the social hierarchy. A young man in search of spiritual and cultural answers. Red Poem is also a response to a poem by Ras Baraka titled American Poem. It's a wonderful poem. There was only one mention of a Native American-related event and I wanted to expand on that. Red Poem is really what set the Dead Feather concept in motion and opened up the different ways in exploring creative expression.

How does “Red Poem” reflect your personal and spiritual journey?

How Red Poem reflects my personal journey is pretty self-explanatory. It was written by a young man in search of spiritual and cultural answers. The result is a poem filled with research done by an uneducated deaf Native American born into the lower rungs of society. It reflects my personal journey by using a creative outlet to demand spiritual and cultural truth through research and self-determination. The Red Poem was the first step in creating the Dead Feather concept. As far as the spiritual aspects and how they apply to my journey, this was a great starting point in understanding my cultural history and customs. Being so far removed from my culture, I had to research and learn from other tribes, which in turn has led me to look into other spiritual practices and cultures and understand how the civilization process and assimilation has done away with any traditional customs, beliefs and practices in the US. I was able to find some solace in the conflicted spirituality aspect of the Dead Feather concept. These days I'm pretty comfortable in knowing my history and I'm able to function without questioning every small detail concerning my spirituality. In short, Red Poem has allowed me to understand how my spirituality and traditional customs have been slowly eradicated due to the civilization process. It's allowed me to better focus on taking care of myself, my fellow neighbors, and the planet. Kindness and understanding are all that really matter.

What message do you hope listeners take from this track?

I'm not sure what message the listener will take from Red Poem, but I hope the message of treating your fellow man and planet with kindness, love and respect will be taken into account. I'm not a political person. I'm merely an observer of my surroundings. Red Poem was written by a young man in search of spiritual and cultural answers making the poem come off as somewhat aggressive. That wasn't the intention at all. When you look at the historical relationship between the US and the Native American community, it's not exactly the healthiest of relationships. As a creative type, I was always looking at different ways to grow and better myself. Red Poem was the first step in that process. I hope the listener can relate and apply that process in their own way. Once you begin to take care of yourself, you can begin to take care of others and spread that positivity.

How have figures like Malcolm X and Bob Marley influenced your art?

That's an interesting question. As you may have noticed reading the interview, the Dead Feather concept deals with conflicted spirituality and cultural isolation. Growing up, I didn't have access to the proper resources to learn about my cultural history and traditions. Anything I knew about Mvskoke-Creek history came through visits with distant family members and friends who were raised in a traditional household or from my grandfather. My mother married a white man after escaping an abusive previous relationship. He's a wonderful dad. But, growing up, you notice certain things about your surroundings and have certain questions. With my dad not having the answers I was seeking or not being able to relate to me and my cultural background, or him not really seeing the subject as important or significant, as I grew up I began reading biographies of figures I could relate to or at least felt I could relate to. The Autobiography of Malcolm X was the first biography I read in 7th grade. I suppose I could relate to all the mistreatment he went through and his strength to move forward through self-education and self-determination. The biographies of Bob Marley, Che Guevara, George Jackson, Mumia-Abu Jamal and Huey P. Newton among others of the Black Panther Party, and Leonard Peltier were heavily consumed as well as books by Vine Deloria Jr. I suppose I was looking fir a mentor of some sort to help me understand my surroundings in a way my dad couldn't or maybe he didn't think it necessary. But yes, the influence is quite present in Red Poem.

What role does poetry play in your creative process?

Poetry or the written word was my first outlet in trying to express myself creatively on a serious level. If you are a creative or know a creative, then you know that artists work in a constant state of development. The medium of choice is always changing or being altered. I began painting as a result of not being able to express myself verbally when it came to my tribal and cultural history. Poetry was the first step to helping myself and educating myself in the Dead Feather concept. Red Poem was about as much as I could express at the time as far as native american subject matter. Poetry has become a handy tool during the songwriting process for Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) Vol.1 as well.

How does your Mvskoke-Creek heritage shape your storytelling?

With the Dead Feather concept, it's all about connecting with my ancestors in one way or another even if the art doesn't reflect the traditional sensibilities of Native American-themed art. During the process of creativity, a lot of the energy is focused on the spiritual aspects of the Dead Feather concept. I channel that focused energy on the masks I make by bringing the stories of those forgotten Mvskoke-Creek deities and monsters to life and keeping their stories alive through storytelling and song. I also make dolls called Este Lobutke (Little People). The Este Lobutke would guide the heleshyv (medicine man) to the local plants and herbs (heleswv/medicine) to heal and help the community. I apply that concept to the dolls by adding a small booklet that helps teach a small conversation in Creek (among other things). The paintings are pretty straightforward. Very dark. Very cold. Very uncomfortable. They represent the historical relationship between the US and the Native American community and the historical constant need for domination and control over the resources and land by the US. The acrylic paintings take on a more spiritual approach in that I use religious imagery with the subject's face covered in animal skulls representative of trickery in Mvskoke-Creek and indigenous cultures. Mostly foxes and wolves with the occasional rabbit thrown in. There are other forms of expression, but it's all connected to understanding my Mvskoke-Creek heritage in one way or another.

What challenges have you faced as a deaf Native American artist?

Oh, yes. Being deaf certainly has its challenges. Nobody respects you. People look at disabilities as some sort of flaw that makes the one with the disability beneath them. Nobody approaches you as a human the moment they know you're deaf. It's a hassle in people's lives too. You'd be surprised how many people tell me to call them after I state clearly that I can't hear, or get annoyed by having to repeat themselves more than once knowing I can't hear. A lot of the time people assume I'm not listening to them when in fact they're not listening to me. But you deal with the cards you're dealt. As far as being a Native American, the challenges usually stem from the Native American community in general. For example. I was on a tour that involved a series of Native American artists. I was removed from the tour because I wasn't deemed Native enough or pop enough as far as the art genre. This type of cultural isolation is a constant in my life. Even a a youth. From my experience, the indigenous art community in the US is kept under a tight rein. The attitude seems very elitist even though I feel we're in this together. I'm on your team, comrade. You know? Why the isolation? But it's all beyond my control. I just keep on creating. I don't necessarily need anyone's approval.

How does “Red Poem” connect to the themes of Cate Heleswv (Red Medicine) Vol. 1?

Cate Heleswv translates to Red Medicine in Mvskoke-Creek. Red Poem was the first Poem that set the Dead Feather concept into motion. As you have read, Red Poem was written in search of cultural and spiritual answers at a young age. Over the years I've done various pieces of art that incorporate Mvskoke-Creek history and themes into the Dead Feather world. Red Poem opened that door to self-education and resilience. In writing that Poem and continuing on with my research over the years, it's helped me to share the stories and struggles of my ancestors and to share and keep alive the stories of various Mvskoke-Creek deities and monsters that have been eradicated due to the civilization process. Since writing that poem, I have discovered I am related to Tecumseh, the famed Native leader of the Prophet party. I am also a distant relation to Citto Harjo of the Snake Uprising. When the Mvskoke emerged on a turtle's back from the Spine of the World, a thick fog covered the Earth. We asked Hesaketvmesse to clear the fog. With a gentle breeze the fog was cleared and we began naming our clans after the first things we saw. The first clan was the Wind Clan. Dead Feather represents the death of our traditions and culture brought on by the civilization process. Red Poem allowed me to gain access to this information and to practice living a positive lifestyle. Red Poem is red medicine. And it is good.

What emotions do you hope your audience feels when they experience this song?

As far as emotions, I hope the audience feels like rocking out. I hope the audience feels the groove we were trying to capture. As mentioned earlier, a lot of the biographies I was reading growing up when the Red Poem was written were based around the late 60's and the 70's. Cate Heleswv (Red Poem) Vol.1 was written with a vintage rock aesthetic in mind. With the spoken word element, we approached the song with a nostalgic feeling of the activism that was happening in the streets at that time mixed in with a sort of Beat poetry gathering aesthetic. I suppose I would like the listener to feel good and rock out but also be aware of any injustice lurking in the air. I hope they try their best by any means necessary to make their environment thrive.

How do your visual artworks and music work together to tell your story?

The visual artworks and music work together to tell my story because it's a personal journey. The Dead Feather concept is a very human experience. All creative endeavors within the Dead Feather concept are connected to my ancestors, their stories and their struggles. With that being said, the Dead Feather concept is a learning tool for myself as well as the observer. The Dead Feather concept is constantly growing.