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The Expansion
Project |
Christopher Cameron,
keyboards and synthesizers |
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Jim Cole, Multi tonal
singer |
The Expansion project is a
unique blend of multi-tonal singing, sequenced sounds, didgeridoo,
flutes, steel cello and an assortment of percussion instruments
blending to produce deep musical journeys and meditations. The music
is created on the concept of using the sustain and vibration that
resonates after a note is struck.
Listen here |
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John Boiano, percussion
est.
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Pete Onofrio, Didgeridoo,
flutes, percussion, vocals |
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Bruce “Nis
Náhtia” Bozsum
Bruce “Two Dogs” was born on
Friday the thirteenth in May of 1960. He is the grandson of Joseph and
Edith Gray, whose grandmother was Mary Tracy Fielding Story, a descendant
of the famous Mohegan Chief Uncas. Bruce is also an appointed ceremonial
pipe carrier, a long honored tradition of his people. His great uncle
Lloyd Gray kept Mohegan traditions alive in the in the 1930’s by going to
schools and scouting groups to show them crafts and lore. Bruce Bozsum,
following in his great uncle’s footprints, is the Director of Cultural and
Community Programs for the tribe. “This is the most important job that I
have ever had, keeping the traditions alive within our tribal community.”
Educational programs on the reservation and around New England are some of
the duties that he performs. “Teaching our children the importance of
culture and the need for self preservation is a great task.” Bruce is the
head of the Mohegan Language Restoration Project. “Our last fluent speaker
died in 1908; we hope to have our children become the next generation of
Mohegan speakers. Bruce is a self-taught, indigenous flutist. “Drumming
and singing is something that I love to do every day. Music is one of the
most important ways to help heal ourselves. Dancing is something that I
teach to my children, it helps to keep the bond of our ancestors with us.”
Bruce is responsible for passing on the traditions of music and dance to
the young people in the tribe that he learned at tribal elder, Red Moon’s
knee. “Everyday I make it a point to spend time with my elders; and each
day I learn more from them.”
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Mohegan Tribe Today
Today, the Mohegan number over 1500. We
may be found living in many countries, with the majority of us still in
New England. We are well represented in different occupations and
professions. We subscribe to a variety of religions. On the surface,
Mohegans would seem no different from our neighbors of other ethnic
backgrounds; indeed, we often unite with our neighbors in common causes
for our community. We have fought by their side in every war since the
Colonial beginnings. One of the big differences between us and our
neighbors is that we know from whence we sprang and can recite our
genealogies which link our People together. Another is that our hearts
are in Shantok, the historic center of our lands. The State of Connecticut
took Shantok, through the power of eminent domain in the 1920’s, and
turned it into a public park (In the 1960-‘s, if I wanted to go visit our
burial ground, I had to pay a park entrance fee.) Happily, we were allowed
to buy Shantok back from the State in 1998. For many of us, this was
perhaps the most momentous thing that has come from Federal Recognition
and our economic pursuits.
Through the centuries, we have maintained
a tribal structure, having one voice when it was necessary to pursue
justice in British and Colonial courts, as we would when Connecticut
became a state…and gathering together for our holidays. One surviving
celebration is the Green Corn Festival which would take place for the
first harvest of corn early in August. Today, we call it our ‘Homecoming,’
and we hold it a week before the Wigwam Festival, which is now a powwow
open to the public. The Wigwam Festival was once the means to raise funds
for the Mohegan Church and for Mohegan activities, and was held in
September, after the harvest. Nowadays, it gives us an opportunity to
share some aspects of our culture with the community at large.
We are currently in the process of
restoring our language. The last fluent speaker of Mohegan was Fidelia
Fielding, who died in 1908. Through the use of known Mohegan words,
compared with those Algonquin dialects of the people immediately around
us, as well the construction and usage of the language by those Tribes who
still have fluent speakers, we have been able to reconstruct our language.
We are involved in making a series of interactive CDs as a teaching aid,
with young people in mind. And once the youth discover that they can have
a secret language, and then the adults will want to learn it.
What money we are currently earning is
being devoted to education, health, and welfare. All Mohegan have the
opportunity to go to either college or seek vocational training. The Tribe
will pay for tuition and books. The student must hold a B+ average for
continued support. We are all able to use our Tribe’s health insurance.
For those of us who have health insurance through our employers, that one
is used first and the Tribe’s insurance will pick up the remainder. For
people who have always wanted to start their own business, the Tribe will
make a low interest loan for start-up money, and also will make available
advisors. Our Elderhousing project at Fort Hill, completed in 2002, is a
complete complex - housing not only apartments for our Elders, but also
services for them. We are all very excited about this! We also offer
subsidized housing for those Tribal people who are incapacitated |
