A powerful testament to the resilience and resolve of the people of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, the students of Browning Public Schools along with Neurosis' Steve Von Till have released a special collaboration project with “iiyiikǎakimǎan".
Dubbed the Firekeeper Noise Collective, the creative arm of the Firekeeper Alliance continues its community outreach with it's Heavy Music Symposium, which works to program special projects with participating students and artists from around the world. Intent on mitigating the epidemic of suicide within the community, the organization offers a creative outlet as a means of positive reinforcement and intervention - providing the tools to create rather than destroy.
Earlier this spring, ahead of Neurosis' appearance at Fire In the Mountains, Browning Public Schools Noise Collective collaborated with celebrated musician Steve Von Till to compose an original piece of music. A true collaboration, Von Til functioned as both composer and mentor, leading the students in what would become a moving message of perseverance with “iiyiikǎakimǎan".
The Collective shared of the single, “Back in May, our students from the Heavy Music Symposium Class (Noise Collective) collaborated with the legendary Steve Von Till to create a piece of music together. It became a towering example of what we believe in: giving young people access to meaningful creative experiences, building relationships through art, and creating spaces where expression, identity, and human connection can all exist simultaneously."
The collective also spoke to the importance of the timing of the release. “Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Around the Firekeeper camp, we see every day as suicide prevention day - though we tend to prefer the word reduction. This work is ongoing, relational, and built into everything we do. Still, we’re grateful for a day that brings worldwide attention to an issue that deserves far more care, conversation, and action. We believe that working toward reducing suicide is more than destigmatizing this issue and expanding strengths-based clinical counseling approaches. It is also about building up the things that help make life feel more connected, meaningful, and worth showing up for. So today, we want to share something that shows what that work can actually look like."
The track is being released through Firekeeper Alliance Records and is available via Bandcamp where fans can submit their own price. All proceeds from the release will be reinvested in equipment and resources for the Browning Public Schools Noise Collective afterschool program. Get the single - HERE
