To be Anishinaabe is to move through the world in respect and reciprocity, taking what you need and giving back whenever you can, while always acknowledging the gift that is the journey itself. It’s a way of life that was interrupted and severely damaged by the ravages of settler colonialism. But in our ongoing recovery from those harms, we as a people have found beautiful ways to restore those gifts, and create something regenerative and enriching for future generations.
Bite Down is one of those gifts. It’s a vibrant tapestry of sound and emotion that touches the heart and lifts the spirit of the Anishinaabe experience. With this outstanding collection of songs, Ribbon Skirt, led by Tashiina Buswa, profoundly conveys the essence of putting life and identity back together. To be Anishinaabe in a contemporary settler state also means, tragically, to overcome trauma and live with grief. But through healing and art - especially music like this - we can redefine who we are and finally control the story about us.
As such, this enthralling album is many things at once. It’s a walk through the bush to collect medicine like cedar and sustenance like strawberries. It’s an ancient story spoken aloud once again after years of suppression. It’s an offering of tobacco to a sacred fire. It’s a ceremony, held proudly out in the open, songs and prayers echoing through the hills and across the waters. It’s truth that can no longer be silenced, carried by expansive melodies and rhythms, enshrining our place in our homelands forever.
- Written by Waubeshig Rice