A Tribe Called Red collaborates with Black Bear Singers, releases short doc

A Tribe Called Red has released a short documentarycalledThe Manawan Session,a behind-the-scenes look at theirmusical collaboration with Black Bear Singers, an Indigenous drum group from Atikamekw Nation in Quebec.

Tim '2oolman' Hill, one of the three DJs who makeup Tribe,spoke to CBC's Jamey Ordolis about the session with Black Bear, which was thefirst time the band was able to record in-studio with a live drum group.

Normally, said Hill, the band lays beats toaudio samples, but this timethey were able to work with Black Bear to create the drum and vocal trackssomething they've always wanted to do.

While on the Manawan reserve, the band bonded with the community, visiting familiesand celebrating with a special show,which is featuredin the documentary.

'Born into politics'

"As soon as you're born, being Native, you're born into politics," said Hill, discussing his reluctance to celebrate Canada Day.

While he is happy to see the latest Canada Heritage Minute,whichacknowledges the horrors ofresidential schools by telling the story ofChanie Wenjack, Hill would like to see more action taken to help suffering communities,such as Attawapiskat.

Hill shares the band's intolerance for abuse in any form, including misogynistic lyrics in hip hop.Recently the band choseto boycott musicians guilty of abuse, such as James Brown, even though Hill had been a devoted fan of his music.

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"Our music doesn't really have words in it.When it's time for us to speak on things ... we like to bring light to the things that matter to us ... especially within our community. It's something we take very seriously."