“Vibes with the Tribes” acknowledges Native Americans

In observance of Native American Heritage Month, the Office of Student Activities and the Council of World Cultures (CWC) will host an event called “Vibes with the Tribes: A Mini Powwow Performance” on Thursday, November 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the pavilion of the John McDonald Student and Culinary Arts Center (Building M on the main campus).

At this musical event, you will experience the rich and vibrant indigenous culture with Native artists Hadassah GreenSky and SouFy. You will also learn about the sacred traditions of the powwow.

Hadassah GreenSky co-founded “Vibes with the Tribes”

GreenSky is an Anishinaabe artist who grew up in Oxford and is now based in Detroit. She describes herself as a cultural worker, multidisciplinary artist, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist who uses modern and ancestral knowledge to create visibility and equity for Native people. She works as a teaching artist for the College for Creative Studies and the Detroit Historical Society. She also works as a fashion designer, seamstress, and bead artist. Her style is described as “Indigenous Futurist,” which blends modern and traditional elements.

GreenSky curates events, focusing on experiences for underserved Native communities. She is co-founder of “Vibes with the Tribes,” which she describes as Michigan’s first Native music festival.

SouFy launched Michigan’s first Indigenous Music Festival

Born in Southwest Detroit as Raymond Elwart, Jr., the musician known as SouFy is the grandson of a Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation grandmother. His music embodies the urban Native experience. Addressing the Flint water crisis, SouFy wrote the song, “Pay 2 Be Poisoned,” featured on Democracy Now with Amy Goodman, CBC Canada, Indian Country Today (ICT) Media Network, and Native Trailblazers, and cited in academic journals.

He released his first official solo LP called “The Ogichidaa Project” in 2017. In 2018, SouFy was nominated for “Best New Artist” at the Indigenous Music Awards (IMAs) in Winnipeg, Canada. In 2020, he launched what he describes as Michigan’s first Indigenous Music Festival as a virtual show. In 2021, the first live show, “Vibes with The Tribes,” was successfully launched in Southwest Detroit. SouFy is the creator, co-founder, artist, and manager for the festival. He is also the project manager for “The Red Ghetto Project”.

Expressions of a Welcoming College

“We’re excited to host an Indigenous performance at HFC in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. The program reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusivity as a welcoming college. I encourage the campus community to attend the performance and learn about the rich and fascinating Indigenous culture,” said HFC Director of Student Activities Dr. Cassandra Fluker.

The event is free and open to the public. No registration required. For more information, contact 313-945-9865 or studentactivities@hfcc.edu.