All respect to the original songwriter, Theresa Bear Fox and to the singer, Teio Swathe. 2 years ago I came across this video of Teio Swathe singing her rendition on YouTube and was immediately captivated by her voice.

The song spoke to me on a personal level, being indigenous and constantly attending wakes and funerals. Ever since I can remember, attending funerals has been one of the constants in my life, having a Grandpa who had 2 wives in his lifetime, having 12 kids with each of them, you can imagine how many funerals i've probably attended. Same thing on my moms side, she's lost so many of her brothers and sisters over the years, I don't know how she remains so strong and loving till this day.

Back in 2004 my brother was shot and killed, it was the most painful thing I had to go through. I hadn't seen him in almost two years and so I was left with all these faint memories of us growing up and the times I did get to spend with him. I hadn't felt that kind of pain until COVID, back in June my Grandma tested Positive for COVID and we thought she was going to beat it, but it slowly drained her and almost a month later she went peacefully in her sleep. I am grateful that the Pandemic made me stay and spend her last few months with her, taking care of her and holding her hand, giving her morning hugs and coffee. I will forever cherish those precious moments.

With that being said, this song wasn't just something I made because I thought it could be better, this song represents all those we've lost, past and presently. To me dance is a prayer, it gives me the opportunity to work out all my emotions, let some of that pain out and heal.

Even though I made this song back in 2019 in hopes of being able to do a proper release with Teio Swathe, I haven't been able to get ahold of her and every time I find her on Social Media, she's gone in the blink of an eye and that's okay, I hope one day she gets to hear this and hopefully we can do a proper release. But until then, enjoy!

I truly hope this song helps whoever listens and dances to it, pray for those you love, no matter if they are still with us in this dimension or have moved on to the Sky World.

I dedicate this song to my Lil Aleut Grams, Marion M. James and my Big Brother, Mateo Sandoval. I'll see you when the Creator decides it's my time to join you and the Ancestors.

TOMAHAWK BANG