Tchiya Amet Bio:
Musician (Singer/Songwriter/Keyboards), Ethno-Astronomer and Craftswoman, Tchiya Amet was born August 5, and raised on the South Side of Chicago, IL. Her ancestral heritage resembles a patchwork quilt: She is First Nations including Black Cherokee and Blackfoot. Her way of living reflects the Wisdom of the Ancient Ones
from the Four Directions.
Tchiya has played in Irie Jane, One Nation, the Presidents, World Tribe, Karison, Dogon Sirius, Isaac Haile Selassie and Joanna Marie. Y2K: Tchiya Amet & the Light House Band toured recently with the Spirit of Bob Marley Festival Tour. 2001 they traveled to both coasts: Spring 2001 to St. Petersburg, FL for the Seminole Tribe "Discover Native America Pow Wow". Summer found them out West at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Roots Mountain Fest in Tonasket, WA and Reggae on the River. Other festivals & cultural events include: World One Day in El Cerrito, CA., Houston Women's Festival, Austin Jazz Festival, Alamo Community Garden Festival, the Austin I.S.D. Pow Wow and Healing Bloody Island Concert at Robinson Rancheria (Pomo Indian Rez).
Fall of 2002 Tchiya Amet & the Light House Band had the opportunity to perform at Monterey Bay Reggae Fest, One Root Festival, and San Francisco Reggae in the Park.
Her early influences include Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Freedom Fighters, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Sade, Patrice Rushen, Brenda Russell, Fela, Sun Ra, Gregory Isaacs, Burnin' Spear, Cesaria Evora, Abyssinians, Misti and Roots, and Steel Pulse.
Tchiya has been homeschooling her daughters since they were born. The curriculum at Arbol de Vida Homeschool has included: Yoga, Math, Astronomy/Astrology, Music, Art, Science of Living and Natural Health, Indigenous Rights, Sovereign America, Vegan Cooking, Environmental Studies, Soccer, Sewing, Drama, Homeschoolers' Social Club and Culture Studies. Her many passions include Hiking, Swimming in Spring Water, Jogging, Fancy Shawl Dancing, Organic Gardening, Hemp for Peace, Calendar Reform and Watermelon. In her "free" time, Tchiya enjoys sharing her research on Cultural Astronomy and Yoga with people of all ages.
The Music:
Continuing in a style that began with her debut CD: "Rise Again Truth", firmly rooted in the Roots Reggae Tradition, the music of Tchiya Amet is a blend of Indigenous and Contemporary cultures and rhythms. This music keeps the culture, myths, legends and rhythms of the Ancestors alive.This music carries the wisdom and the teachings of the Elders forward into the future, by reaching out to the youth of today.
This music seeks to express the voice of a nation denied the most basic of human rights, time and time again: the right to self-determination, even the right to exist.
The existence of Indigenous Black Indians of Turtle Island is a controversial topic in Indian Country today. Nevertheless, we continue to exist, and we continue to make music.
With remnants of Ancient Traditions, Tchiya Amet has crafted a colorful cultural quilt, to provide warmth and comfort to the Indigenous peoples of the 4 Directions during these trying times.
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