SIX NATIONS – Tehennei’kwe:tarons, aka David R. Maracle, is a multi-talented Mohawk artist/musician/poet/chef/activist, and Native youth worker from Tyendinaga that most people likely would have heard before knowing who he was or even what instruments he creates with.
Although best known for his spiritually ascending wood flute work and traditional drumming, his latest instrument of choice is a hybrid, hand steel drum, created by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer in Bern, Switzerland called a “Hang” or “Hanghang,” which looks more like a flying saucer than a musical instrument.
The only way to get one of these hand made to order instruments is to apply for one, and if accepted, you must travel to Switzerland to go through spiritual training before you can actually purchase it.
His current release, “Spirit World” features this very unique instrument, which sounds somewhere between a harp and a Jamaican Steel Drum, but much softer and spiritually engaging.
David has had his own business on the Tyendinaga Territory since 1985, but recently in 2009 he opened the “LiL Crow Native Arts Centre”, which he describes as “a home for First Nations art, music and food. The little Cafe is nestled alongside the shores of Mohawk Bay (Bay of Quinte). It is a First Nations Destination stop and it is now a proud member of the Arts Route in Hastings County.
“It’s a place for people from around the world to come and experience first hand, the rich culture of the Mohawk People of Tyendinaga,” he says.
Maracle stopped by the Two Row Times office last week to meet and offer his congratulations and encouragement. While here, he performed for TRT staff on a number of his unique and spiritually uplifting instruments, including the “hang”.
Maracle first came onto the music scene as a traditional wood flutist recording and releasing 20 CD projects in total, many of which have become award winners.
He has performed in a private concert for guitar legend Jeff Beck and Michael Jackson’s guitarist, Jennifer Baton. He has appeared on stage with David Suzuki, won Best Instrumental Album and Best Cover Design for his 2000 release at the Aboriginal Music Awards. He performed during the opening ceremonies in Sydney, Australia at the 2000 Olympic Games, and in 2002, he performed at the Ottawa Parliament Buildings for the Senate of Canada; performed at the launch of the APTN Network; played on several national advertisements and performed original sound tracks for a number of TV series including Moccasin Flats, Relic Hunter, and Tracker.
In 2003 he played for the Queen of England during her Golden Jubilee Visit; won his third Best Instrumental Album award at the Aboriginal Music Awards; performed with the late Tim Rice, world famous composer; performed at the opening of the “First Peoples Hall” in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa and signed his first Global Record deal becoming its top selling recording artist that same year.
Maracle was founder and coordinator along with with TAP Resources, of the benefit concert for Kanonhstaton (Caledonia land Reclamation) which raised $23,000 for Six Nations land protectors.
The list goes on with a huge number of endorsements and achievements since then, getting bigger almost by the day.
A day after his impromptu concert at the Two Row Times offices, he was contacted by organizers to open the 2015 Pan/Am Games in Toronto. They have also shown interest in purchasing one of his incredible soapstone sculptures, which will go on prominent display at the games.
Details are also being worked out for a two-month tour of New Zealand with his music and his sculptures in January and February of 2015.
Google David R. Maracle for more information about his incredible life and his creator given talent.
Wonderful man. Wonderful musician.