Litefoot Performs on Big Cypress Reservation

By Janice Billie

BIG CYPRESS — The year-long, cross country “Reach the Rez” tour officially started in the land of the Seminole. The rapper, actor, and motivational speaker known professionally as Litefoot brought his music and message to the Big Cypress reservation on the evening of Oct. 20.

It was the third stop, after Brighton and Hollywood. He was also scheduled to be in Immokalee the following day but was cancelled due to the approach of Hurricane Wilma.

Many Tribal citizens, adults and children alike gathered at the Herman L. Osceola Gym to see and listen to the five-time Native American Music Award (NAMMY) winner rap, dance and share a positive message of empowerment.

The evening kicked off with a community dinner as crew members set up the stage, lights and sound system for the show. The many children in attendance created an atmosphere of curiosity and excitement as they played around while waiting.

After dinner Tribal citizen Mary Jean Koenes took the stage to welcome the community to the event and invite Chairman Mitchell Cypress up on stage. Cypress thanked everyone for coming out to the concert. He expressed his support for Litefoot and his mission to inspire Native American young people to seek a path in this life that is guided by the Creator not by the trappings or traps of modern society.

The chairman explained that through the efforts of Trail Liaison William Osceola, the Seminole Tribal Council was made aware of Litefoots quest and the Association for American Indian Development (A4AID) a non-profit organization that conceived the “Reach the Rez” tour.

The Council passed a resolution in June of this year to be a title sponsor of the tour donating the tour bus. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut and Daimler Chrysler are also title sponsors of the tour.

Cypress said, “The youth are the future, with a lot of support and a lot of prayer I think we can help Litefoot deliver a message to save our youth.”

After the chairman’s remarks Mary Jean Koenes introduced Litefoot to the Big Cypress community. As he took the stage Litefoot encouraged all the kids to come to the front of the stage.

He called Chairman Cypress back up to the stage and presented him with an official “Reach the Rez” tour jacket.

“This is the very least we can do to express our gratitude to the Seminole Tribe for being a Title Sponsor for this tour,” Litefoot said.

He also called Trail Liasion William Osceola up on stage and thanked him for all his help in bringing this vision to reality. A tour jacket had been presented to William the night before but he accepted a jacket for Big Cypress Representative David Cypress.

Throughout the next hour Litefoot rapped, danced and spoke a message. It was an evening of fun and entertainment coupled with serious and emotional moments. He continually encouraged the people to “walk with the Creator and no matter what, pray.”

At the end of the show many young people came up to give Litefoot hugs, some choked with emotion and tears.

Before it’s completion in Alaska in 2006 the “Reach the Rez” tour will have traveled to 212 reservations in 40 states reaching an audience of 350,000 Native Americans.

For more information on Litefoot and Reach the Rez tour, visit www.reachtherez.org or www.litefoot.com.