Interviewed by Jenica Schoolcraft., Native Digest Correspondent

Born of Mi’kmaq & Cree heritage in 1945, Donald has spent much of his life learning and teaching the ways and traditions of the indigenous people of North America.

After leaving school at age fifteen he began traveling the country with his band "Creation" spending some years traveling and working with many of the stars of the 60's, 70’s and early 80’s.

He spent time on Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations. During the early 70’s he learned the ways and traditions of the Lakota people. Afterwards, getting clean and sober in 1984, he turned his life around and traveled with his adopted grandfather, Joseph Eagle Hawk, learning all he could of native spirituality.

At age 48, he studied for and received his GED. Upon entering college in Boston he earned two Associates Degrees: one in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and one in Human Resources. In conjunction with his established degrees, Donald is the founder of Native Pride Foundation, an organization committed to helping those young ones who are having problems with drugs and alcohol. His work with the foundation also includes counseling in all areas of abuse.

He owned and operated Tribal Winds Native American Art and Crafts (A retail gift shop) from 1996 through 2002.During this time period he decided to shift his focus to work in the field of his passion: music.

He founded Raven Hawk Productions and Spirit Wind Records. He also took his drum group The Thunder Hawk Singers to a Nammy nomination in 2001. In 2002 he was Program Director for NativeRadio.com. Working with Patrick Doyle CEO and founder of NativeRadio.com has given him new insight into the world of native music.

For the past seven years, Donald has been working on building Spirit Wind Records. He is the announcer and an executive staff member of the Native American Music Awards announcing the NAMA show for the past three years. He has been instrumental in getting the voice-over work done for presentation to the annual NAMA show.
 

Last year, Spirit Wind Records re-launched their intention of bringing unknown independent Native artists to the forefront of the Native Amercian Music world. They submitted 10 of their artists for nomination in the 2009 NAMMYs, six of which were nominated, and three won 2009 NAMMYS.

Jan Michael Looking Wolf ( Artist of the Year)

J J Kent  (Flutist of the Year)

The Thunder Hawk Singers ( Best Historical Recording)

 

Donald currently is working on three major  projects:

(1) Rise Up, with Jan Michael Looking Wolf a CD that helps homeless shelters throughout the nation.

(2) Breakin' Free, a CD & Video to help the youth on reservations with drug and alcohol addictions.

(3) Battered Women, a CD with Kelly Montijo Fink & Felicia Kent--with proceeds to help Battered Women Shelters throughout the nation.

Donald hopes that through his efforts he will be able to reach out, assist and encourage recording artists to follow their dreams and goals.

 

NativeDigest would like to thank Donald Blackfox for his contribution and time to the website.  The staff applauds his efforts, and the efforts of those that help him for helping the Native American communities that need it.

 

 

Jenica: What advice can you give to a youth that wants to leave school to pursue other interests?

Donald: I now feel that one needs to get a good education, especially in this new world of technology.  

 

Jenica: You briefly mention in your biography that in 1984 you got clean and sober and turned your life around.  Giving up habits that are physiologically addictive is not an easy road.  What was the moment that you decided to facilitate your energy more positively?

Donald: I had reached the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, and knew if I did not get away from my addictions I would most likely have died.

 

Jenica: What event helped you make such an important decision?

Donald: A lot of prayers to the Creator.  A lot of support from my friends & family, but mostly a lot of help from my Spiritual Grandfather Joseph Eagle Hawk.

 

Jenica: It seems you’ve made a lot of inspiring life changing decisions within your lifetime.  You mention that in the early 70s you learned the ways and traditions of the Lakota people.  How did this endeavor encourage you to the established, caring and concerned man that you are today?  

Donald: Well, I listened carefully to my Grandfather, and it was his teachings that molded me into the person I am today. Do you think that everyone’s cultural past is relevant?  Of course it is, but it also needs to [be] understood with good historical perspective.  I believe that what happened in ones past that was bad for their culture should be forgiven. After all, that is the past.  We as people need to focus on the here and now, and think of ways to make life better for the generations to come. The concept of looking ahead seven generations comes to mind.

Jenica: Do you have any new projects coming up?  If so, what are they?

Donald: We have two new projects coming up.

1: Non-profit organization for drug and alcohol abuse prevention. Within this organization we are setting up three scholarships to be given every year to youth on the reservations that want to continue their education.

2: Non-profit organization that will provide assistance to those who are working to prevent the exceptionally high suicide rate within our reservations.

Jenica: Is there anything else that I missed that you would like to add?

Donald: I would like to thank all the artists from the Spirit Wind Records family for all their involvement and support.

 

 

Donald posing beside JJ Kent

 

Jenica: You earned one of your Associate’s degrees in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.  It’s very innovative that you’re utilizing your professional degree in such a unique form.  Part of that is combining your knowledge with your passion for music.  Could you divulge how the motivation for your current three projects arose?

Donald: Having survived alcoholism & drug addiction gave me a depth of insight that I could not ignore. My participation in these projects is my way of showing appreciation and a way of giving back to the nation the benefit of my experiences.   

Jenica: What encouragement or advice can you give to the individual who feels like they can’t lift themselves off the ground or lift their head to see the light; whether it is because of drug and alcohol abuse or an abusive relationship?  

Donald: Every individual needs to understand the following: It is YOUR life that YOU are living. YOU are the only one who can change it. Learn to live YOUR life with dignity and respect. Do not preach. Instead be an example for others.

 

 

Jenica: You left school at age 15 to travel and perform with your band “Creation.”  What of this experience did you gain by breaking out of the brackets of institutional learning?  Likewise, do you recognize any losses that may have incurred from leaving school?

Donald: I wish I had thought of what I was doing before quitting school. I missed some opportunities and now realize that by staying in school I would have had a different set of opportunities.