Native North American Travelling College Hosts CD Release Party

The NNATC hosted a CD release party, on Saturday April 29, at the Mohawk School. They centered it around the social songs, which were the songs that were recorded on the new CD. There was also a few different booths set up, and different activities done throughout the event. The main idea was to promote a healthy good life, which usually goes hand in hand with being traditional. Although this was the release of a CD, it was much more. There was also a book that was sold with the CD, which explained that different social songs and why they are sung and danced to the way they are.

A lot of history and research went into to making this CD, which is the first of its kind. This is the first time the Native North American Travelling College actually went and had their singers in a studio and recorded the social songs through a professional studio. The sounds are so clear and crisp, and anyone who knows what it is like trying to learn new songs recorded in the longhouse, this is a big step up. They also went even farther, by making a book to go alongside side it, explaining every song and dance that is on the CD.

The NNATC, also had many different guests, two were from different reservations. Two young men travelled to Akwesasne to share their songs and history behind their songs. The two young men were youth delegates alongside the Akwesasne youth delegates who attended the IFN conference. There was also a survey handed out to people when they first entered the event, on behalf of the youth delegates who attended the IFN conference.

Bruce Boots also sat to the side during the entire event, making an interpretation of what was going on around him through a beautiful painting. Ionawiienhawi sang some of her own songs and some well-known songs to the audience. There was plenty of entertainment from beginning to end. There was also a lot of good food provided to the guests for free. A lot of people were really excited at the end for the raffles. The NNATC raffled off some gift cards, two hand drums and rattle sets, and an IPhone 7 to some lucky guests. It definitely turned out to be a beautiful day in Akwesasne, some good songs were shared and sung. A lot of people got up a danced their hearts out, while others gained some new knowledge and it is all thanks to the Native North American Travelling College and their singing troupe.