Becoming Visable
5
By
I find courage in others willingness to share their self through their art. On March 25, 2022 an artist from Toksook Bay, Alaska dropped, what I consider, a groundbreaking album.
Our small Alaskan villages may not be the modern culture pressure-cooker that Queens, NY is, or the birthing center of counter-cultures like LA and Seattle were, but they are home to a culture that has been nurtured for hundreds of generations that requires just as much appreciation and nourishment as those communities who brought us Wu-Tang, Nirvana, NWA and more. I am not comparing artist here, simply supplying a statement of importance I believe this album earns.
As I push myself to learn more about my indigenous background and who my ancestors are, I am surrounded by youth who know less and less of their language, people and origin. It is not enough to say this album makes Alaskan Native culture “cool”, this album, in my humble opinion, opens the door to allowing our youth and future generations of Alaskan Natives everywhere to see that they are current, their relevant, and as a brother of an Athabaskan sister, they are so loved. ❤️
Huge thank you to Byron Nicholai, who I’ve never met, for sharing this with the world. May your life as an expressive artist be rewarded🙏🏾
Fa'afetai🤙🏾
