Robby Romero - BORN ON THE REZ ft. Ojibwa Warrior Dennis Banksx, Country Outlaw Kris Kristofferson

BORN ON THE REZ, a music picture directed by Robby Romero in solidarity with the Indigenous youth movement at Standing Rock, tells the remarkable story of Native Peoples’ resilience. Filmed with a crew from the Institute of American Indian Arts, the music picture takes viewers on a poetic journey through historical events, from the Massacres at Sand Creek and Wounded Knee to Očhéthi Šakówin Camp at Standing Rock.

BORN ON THE REZ was recorded at Capitol Records Studios in Hollywood, California. It was produced by Don Was, a four-time Grammy Award-winning musician, record producer, and executive, along with Ed Cherney, a three-time Grammy Award-winning producer and music engineer. The track was mixed by Steve Addabbo, a Grammy Award winner, at Shelter Island Sound in New York City. It was mastered by Steve Fallone, a multi-Grammy winner, at Sterling Sound in New York City. Laila Nabulsi and Dennis Banks served as executive producers for the recording.

The Red Thunder lineup consists of renowned artists and activists, including Ojibwa Warrior Dennis Banks, co-founder and leader of the American Indian Movement, and Country Outlaw Kris Kristofferson. Kris has won three Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe and has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The lineup also features legendary and acclaimed musicians: Jim Cox on piano, Hammond organ, and vocals, Jim Keltner on drums, rattles, and vocals, Danny "Kooch" Kortchmar on guitar and vocals, and Don Was on upright bass and vocals. They are accompanied by Gary Farmer, Native American Film Award, First Americans in the Arts, and Red Nation Film Festival winner, on blues harp and vocals, and Robert Mirabal, Grammy winner, on Pueblo Flute and vocals.

The Water Protector chorus is made up of distinguished singers, songwriters, and actors, including Victoria Asher, Ta'kaiya Blaney, Tina Malia, Bob Neuwirth, Dakhóta Romero, Chris Stills, Kholan Studi, Jimmy Lee Young, Raye Zaragoza, with a special guest appearance by Frances Fisher.

BORN ON THE REZ

I was born on the reservation in 1973
On a trail of tears exiled in the land of the free
In the spirit of Crazy Horse and our people buried at Wounded Knee

Ghost Dancers thread the prairies of my mind
Dancing through history on smoke signals of time
As we fight for our lives against the Black Snake Dakota Access pipeline

Mní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is Life

I was born on the reservation on a fateful Big Foot ride
Hotchkiss cannons rang out unarmed men, women and children died
The Cannonball and Missouri rivers of tears our people cried

Across the waters of Sand Creek winter winds blow cold
From Cheyenne River to the Standing Rock Stronghold
Where Sitting Bull lives on and the struggle of our people unfolds

Mní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is Life

I was born on the rez in 1909
In a prison of unjust men who's laws are not mine
In the spirit of Geronimo and water protectors on the front line

Mní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is Life

I was born in Očhéthi Šakówin camp in 2016
During the largest spiritual resistance the world's ever seen
And my people they named me Mní Wičóni

Mní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is Life

Water is Life Water is Life

Just got back from Standing Rock…

Published by Eagle Thunder Music (ASCAP) © Eagle Thunder Records

More music and nature-friendly merch are available at: https://www.robbyromero.com/village-m...

100% of profits support the work of Native Children’s Survival: https://www.robbyromero.com/nativechi...

Connect with Robby at: https://www.robbyromero.com

'IXEHE, WÁPO, PILÁMAYA, MIIGWECH: THANK YOU!

#RobbyRomero #BornOnTheRez #Honor1851TReaty #WeAreIndigenous #NativeChildrensSurvival