VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Many Native artists attended the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards show, held Oct. 4 at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls, N.Y. More than 35 artists were awarded NAMMY awards, including Arizona-based Blackfire. The group was awarded the Album of the Year and Native Heart awards for its two-disc CD, “Silence is a Weapon.”
Blackfire, which was working on an acoustic album for next year’s release, was not able to attend the event.
Members of the group were elated to receive word of their awards, according to a news release. Jeneda Benally, Blackfire bassist and vocalist, remarked, “I’d just like to let everyone know how grateful we are that you have recognized social/political music. So many people at every level have contributed to our growth and to our energy for ‘Silence is a Weapon.’
“This is dedicated to our brothers and sisters that make music to inspire positive and healthy communities and those who are breaking down and confronting the super-Indian stereotype in music.”
“Silence is a Weapon,” recorded in Durango, Colo., by Ramones and Talking Heads producer Ed Stasium, was released in 2007. The album gives the listener hard-hitting contemporary punk with Native undertones on one disc and traditional Diné (Navajo) music on the other. The combination is a winning juxtaposition of sounds and lyrics.
“Native Heart,” the album’s second NAMMY win, was given to Stasium in recognition of a contribution from non-Natives to American Indian music.
Blackfire is a family group composed of two brothers, Clayson and Klee Benally, and their sister, Jeneda Benally.
Klee Benally, guitarist and vocalist for Blackfire, also commented on the win. “We do this not for awards but for action, and this album is about action. It is a tribute to everyone who takes a stand against silence and the environmental and social injustices that continue to impact our communities. When mainstream corporate media fails to address the issues affecting our people and environment, it is the responsibility of the artists and musicians to raise awareness and inspire.”
The Benallys were born on the Black Mesa in the Navajo Nation. The mesa, located in the heart of a politically charged land-dispute area, has fueled the sociopolitical messages contained within their music and lyrics. The group holds international recognition and a large grass-roots following in numerous places in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Mexico. They have also toured in Africa.
Another NAMMY recipient was Virginia-based artist Red Hawk, who won Best Historical Recording of the Year for “Chief Seattle Speaks,” from his spoken-word CD, “Flight of the Hawk.”
Red Hawk, expressed the excitement about his NAMMY.
“The win was a long time coming. We worked hard on ‘Flight of the Hawk’ and put our best foot forward, and it won for us in a big way. We had a lot of competition but came out on top. Our focus was on the spoken word and Best Historical Recording. This is my strong point when it comes to music.
“I am, first, a great storyteller and wanted to use that artistic style in my recordings. Few people have the ability to combine the spoken word with music; it’s an old art form, but like I said, it paid off with a NAMMY award.”
Past awards for Red Hawk have included a Telly award for Music Video of the Year, and he holds four first-round picks at the GRAMMYs for his past two albums. This is Red Hawk’s second NAMMY win. He had previously won a NAMMY for his role as co-producer of “We’re Still Here,” by Felipe Rose of the Village People.
