Returning from Fire in the Mountains (FITM), Blackfeet Nation (MT) in the US, Norwegianworld music collective Wardruna are donating over $14.000 to Firekeeper Alliance, the non-profit supporting indigenous needs and fighting suicide in Browning, Montana. The funds were raised by the creation and sale of a limited-edition t-shirt, designed by a student in the Blackfeet Nation. Over 500 items were sold, online and at the festival that took place last July.
“It makes us profoundly happy and proud to see that the Wardruna community all over the world responded with a genuine desire to support the Firekeeper Alliance, their cause, purpose and work”, states the band. “True light-work is about daring to name and face the shadows, the dark and the pain. Thank you Firekeeper Alliance for your important work with suicide prevention. It was deeply moving to see the positive ripples of this work at Fire in the Mountains. Keep the fire burning!”
Charlie Speicher, director of Firekeeper Alliance adds: “The connection between FITM, FKA, Wardruna, By Norse and AISAmusic is one of the most powerful relationships I’ve been a part of. This support of our mission and the work we are doing means a lot to us. From the very bottom of ourhearts, thank you. This gesture, and everything else you have supported us with, is going to translate directly to creating a safer world here for our loved ones. Please know that your love, support, and generosity has lifted our organization to allow us to help our community in ways we never dreamed would be possible.”
Created by Reb Pollock, as a part of the Heavy Music Symposium for youth in Browning, the design represents resilience, rootedness, and the fire that lives within the Southern Pikunni.
Wardruna and the Norwegian music label ByNorse took part in the festival, celebrated ceremony and cultural collaborationwith the Blackfeet Nation. Several band members hosted workshops, shared andexchanged stories of their histories with the local community and music fans. “As for many others, our experienceis hard to put into words. It was one of those events that changes people and views,” says main composer Einar Selvik.
The band also recently performed at the iconic amphitheatre of Pompei, a venue of historic value and significance in popular culture, where few international artists have performed.
