About Spirit - The Seventh Fire
Spirit - The Seventh Fire celebrates and honors the rich culture of this
Nation's first people through Native American music, dance, regalia and song.
Employing universal motifs and themes, Spirit - The Seventh Fire's story is
told through live concert, contemporary and traditional music, epic film
including National Geographic Imax footage, spectacular Native dance and
traditional heart-pumping Native drum group performances. The Omaha
World-Herald has proclaimed Spirit " ... poignant, sad, uplifting, thrilling
and powerful."
Spirit - The Seventh Fire tells the dramatic story of one man's journey
to find a balance between the culture in which he exists, driven by the
"American Dream," and his roots, rich in heritage, tradition and connected to
the natural world. It is a journey of self-discovery that renews within him
the mystery, beauty and spirit of his ancestors and brings him to a magical
place where his past meets his present.
Praise for Spirit - The Seventh Fire
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai was a featured guest at the 2005 Philadelphia Spirit Community Awards, where five Philadelphia non-profits/community groups were recognized with awards for embodying the spirit, message and values inherent in the Spirit - The Seventh Fire production.
The following is a letter from Wangari about taking part in the Spirit Community Awards:
Dear Spirit - The Seventh Fire,
This is to thank you most sincerely for the opportunity to share in a most
extraordinary show on Saturday evening. Spirit - The 7th Fire was not only
spectacular to watch but also deeply moving and inspirational. What you are doing is revolutionary and extremely valuable to, not only North America, but to many parts of the world. Culture is indeed the spirit of a people and as you have already
clearly recognized, the process that kills culture, kills the spirit of a
people. What you are doing therefore is reviving that spirit in a most
profound way.
I know it is not easy but in the course of my work and as I continue to
share my message, I want to share three words with you: commitment,
patience and persistence. I wish you the very best in all of it.
With very best wishes,
Wangari Maathai, MP
Assistant Minister, Environment
2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
>> View select photos of the cast and Wangari from the Philadelphia Spirit Community Awards
Spirit - The Seventh Fire Story
The story begins by surrounding the audience in a pre-contact world. It is early dawn and a village of teepees appear with fires flickering inside. The sound of crickets and other early morning noises encircle the audience. Pow-wow singers begin off in the distance.
Suddenly, the Urban Overture begins. A film tells the story of a century of "progress". From
analog invention to digital consumerism, the audience is taken on a ride. It is a glimpse
into the disconnection of our collective cultures from their respective roots.
As the MAN becomes increasingly agitated and the projections become ever more frenetic,
he pulls a file folder from his desk in a frantic search for an overdue report. Instead, he
finds a white feather—an immediate reminder of everything he left behind—his homeland,
his people, his heritage—his reason for being alive.
His journey begins as a personal search for meaning and becomes the journey of his people's
search for redemption. He is not alone on this journey. He is both protected from and thrust
into a world that requires him to ultimately find where his own strength lies.
He learns to confront his fears with the help of a WARRIOR PROTECTOR, his desires with support from his SPIRIT GUIDE and the difficult expectations of society with continual prodding from the TRICKSTER.
These same three forces are at work on the physical plane. The CHILD reminds him of the
playful nature of things—helping to overcome societal expectations. The GRANDFATHER
reminds him of the wisdom of his people and the folly of succumbing to immediate desires.
And the WOMAN is his connection to the strength within himself—to remind him that he has
the power to overcome any fear.
In the first half of the story, MAN is on his personal quest to strip down to the essence of his
being. As he meets these guiding forces they help him return to his ancestors and stand face
to face with the people who lived and died so that he could be born.
As he rejoices in the celebration of meeting his ancestors, he is immediately reminded that
he is still human and that the vision he has been given comes with a responsibility. This is
no longer his journey, it is his people's journey. He must go through the painful process of
returning to his life, taking with him all that he has seen and experiencing what his ancestors
have experienced. The temptation is there to simply return to his old life—but he chooses
not to. Instead, he chooses to rise to the task of overcoming the fears, desires and norms of
daily life to become the voice of his people.
In the final chapter—back in his suit—he is met by the GUIDES who have helped him along
the way. The CHILD joins him as a fancy dancer, so the next generation will not forget where
they came from or where they are going. |
