Mother Warrior 2013 - Final cut
Mother Warrior is a music video featuring a original song written and performed by Native youth, participants in UNYA's Sisterwork: Agents for Change Program in 2012. The song tells the story of a young woman who overcomes violence to become a change-maker in her community.
Mother Warrior
She's a child of desire
Fueled by her fire
And as her parents kill the pain
Residential residue remains
Empty bottles surround her
As she's dancing proud like a warrior
Screaming Mother, Mother
Independent by nature
Forgotten by father
Take away her fever
Young girl seems lighter
This is a game she's learned to play
Practice violence every day
Screaming Mother Warrior
Mother, Mother
Daughter, Child
No bruises, no tears
She stays true
No blood, no fear
Black or blue
She woke up to him drinking
Hard to keep from thinking
Rescue is needed
So the past won't get repeated
Not knowing what love was,
What he did seemed normal
There was a parents' love for one another
Trying to do what's best for her daughter
Having to be both mother and father
Tries to hold her head up
She's starving for love
She's fed up
Found the strength
Broke the chains
Became Mother Warrior
Mother, Mother
Daughter, Child
No bruises, no tears
She stays true
No blood, no fear
Black or blue
Hands of leather
Yet soft and gentle
Finally forsaking the pain of the past
Strode the Red Road
Paved a new path
Her life's battles haven't scarred her
Made her Grandmother Warrior
Now a pillar of her family
Grasping grandchild
Hand held firmly
Learned the lesson the hard way
Now she's a teacher
Community-minded
She became cultured
Mother, Mother
Daughter, Child
No bruises, no tears
She stays true
No blood, no fear
Black or blue
Featured artists: Chelsea D. E. Johnson, Tashina Lewis, and Garrett Tyler Stevens.
Executive Producer: Urban Native Youth Association
Director of Photography: Marie Wustner
Videographers: Marie Wustner, Heather Lidberg
Audio Engineer: Alex James Morison
Editors: Marie Wustner, Heather Lidberg
Sisterwork is a space where young Native women come together to learn about the causes and impacts of violence in First Nations communities. Young women are empowered to become agents for change by exploring and collaborating with Elders, artists, activists and other community mentors.
Sisterwork is funded in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage.