Armstrong, Jeannette. “SHARING ONE SKIN:The Okanagan Community” pp. 461–470 in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith(eds). The case Against the Global Economy, San Francisco, CA: Sierra Bookclub.

Armstrong is looking at the psychological aspect of culture that makes us think or act, bringing the spiritual side into also. She knows her culture and what she belongs to. She wants to show that yes we have our practices but the community is different, everyone does things differently or maybe looks at things different. Traditions change through time like how the world does, things aren’t the same as they used to be when our ancestors walked this land. New rules are made, old rules are forgotten.

Personal Connection:

One thing that stood out to me was when she described how back then everyone would visit each other in person now we have this technology, and it stopped. Now all we do is text or call each other. I remember my Grandpa saying something like that too. He reminisced about the days where everyone would be at each other's houses. It’s not like that now, I wish it could be, but things are changing even within our cultures. As long as we keep it in our hearts and do everything from the heart things will be okay.

Horse, Perry G. “Native American Identity.” New Directions for Student Services, no. 109, © Wiley Periodicals, Inc, 2005. Pp. 61-68.

Horse provides information on different topics within the Native Community that is not talked about often especially concerning identity. Horse talks about Ethnic Nomenclature, Racial Attitudes, Legal and Political Status, Cultural Change, and Personal Sensibility. These are all very important to know or to think about to know the history. Being affected by Colonialism for many years and having to go out of our Reservations to go to school or for work. We are surrounded by it everyday, trying to save our cultures and languages is a current problem going on within the Native Communities. Those two things are part of our identity and who we are.

Personal Connection:

Before reading this I never thought about the difference between “Native American” and “American Indian”. It made me think about it, for me I would rather be called “Native American”. To me it has a lot of meaning behind it, it makes me feel at home, like I know where I come from. Being Native is something that I cherish everyday, even though times have changed a lot compared to how our ancestors did things we still have our culture, especially our dances. We need to keep it going, learn our language or help others who do have trouble learning it not to down them but help them.

Tottle, Will. “How Music Helps With Mental Health - Mind Boosting of Music Therapy.” Community Partnerships, 2018, pp. 1–5, www.mycpid.com/how-music-helps-with-mental-health-mind-boosting-benefits-of-music-therapy/#:~:text=The%20music%20works%20by%20triggering,a%20little%20better%20in%20yourself.

The article explains different ways Music can help with Mental Health. It can help with Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, Autism, Insomnia, Alzheimers, Dementia, and Loneliness. It can influence some to make their own music, even to write their own songs. Songs that have meaning to them, telling a story. Music can help build communication, build better relationships, give individuals the ability to express themselves, and help with creativity. Music therapy can be an outlet to reduce stress, heighten our mood, and relieve tension.

Personal Connection:

The connection with this article is very intimate for me. I grew up with different types of music from Country, Reggae, and Heavy Metal. They are still a big part of my life. I grew up with musicians in my family, my Grandpa had a band, and my Uncle did also. During my middle school days is when music helped me through a lot, there are songs that play that make me feel nostalgic about those days when I felt numb. Music was there for me through it all, and I thank it for that.

Cansdale, Dominic. “How Heavy Metal and Headbanging Can Help Your Mental Health.” ABC Ballarat, 2018, pp. 1–5, www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-19/heavy-metal-helps-soothe-the-soul/9450576#:~:text=A%20study%20published%20in%20the,any%20potential%20mental%20health%20issues%22

Heavy Metal has always had the stereotype that everyone who listens to the genre is always angry; angry at the world. Even metal musicians deal with mental health issues. Fans who also deal with depression may listen to metal because it expresses the emotions we feel, the words speak to us, using it as an outlet to forget about everything in the world for a while. Metal music does not affect mental health in a negative way, studies show that it actually leaves individuals ïnspired¨ and more with a positive outlook. Heavy Metal is one big family/community that supports everyone. It brings people together to show the love they have for the music.

Personal Connection:

Metal is my main genre I reside in, my love for it has grown since I was a kid and I know itĺl keep growing. I´ve been to a great amount of concerts and already have many stories to tell. It's definitely a big family, we all look out for each other like we metalheads say ¨If someone falls in the mosh pit, you pick them back up¨ , I´ve seen it with my own eyes. There may be many stereotypes of us there but trust my word we all aren't angry or mean. We are just like any other person who loves a certain type of music.

Gillett, Chris. “The Origins of Metal and How It Found Its Place in the Music Industry.” 23 May 2018, pp. 1–5.

Metal music started in the 70's in Britain. A brief description of what ¨heavy metal¨ is powerful drumming, heavy guitar riffs, heavy vocals, and low bass notes. It all comes together to create a fast aggressive sound that many enjoy. Well known first heavy metal bands are Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath. As the Metal scene was growing, sub-genres weŕe also growing such as Hair metal which was Motley Crue, Thrash Metal was Metallica, Death Metal was the band Death, Nu-Metal was Korn, and Grunge was Alice in Chains.

Personal Connection:

I grew up listening to Nu-metal, Korn was always playing in the house as well as other bands. As I got older I began to explore other genres within the metal scene. I´ve gotten into more heavier stuff. Iḿ a big fan of Death metal which is more heavier and aggressive. I come from a family who listens to metal. We all share the love by attending concerts together. I know my love continues to grow as I explore more and more.

Raajimakers, Karlijin. “Metalheads: Fighting the Stereotypes.” Diggit Magazine, 11 Jan. 2018, pp. 1–9., www.diggitmagazine.com/papers/metalheads-fighting-stereotypes.

Some may wonder what is the first thing you think of when you hear the name ¨Metalhead¨.An easy way to understand is someone who has a love for metal music. No matter if it´ś old metal like Iron Maiden or current younger bands like Jinjer. Stereotypes is an issue involving metal heads from when it started to even now. Back then when it was starting up for example KISS it was seen as the ¨Devil's music¨ parents would throw away their children's records or even burn them. Currently there is still some of that but Metal has grown it´ś been around for awhile. Now it's more about the clothing, dressing in all black, wearing dark make-up, wearing shirts with gory images, having piercings and tattoos.

Personal Connection: Coming from a family who do wear band shirts, have tattoos, and wear all black sometimes also, even having my grandma who likes to wear all black and jam out to classic rock. My grandparents are the definition of cool to me, they are used to it and no judgment whatsoever. I was always told to be myself and I love who I am, I love being different from other girls, I like wearing all black, and listening to ¨angry¨ music, This is who I am.

National Public Radio, Inc. (NPR). “This New Zealand Band Is Trying To Save Maori Culture One Head Banger At A Time.” Morning Edition, 2017

Alien Weaponry is a Thrash metal band from New Zealand that sings in their native language. They continue to sing their language in hope to contribute to keeping their language alive. So those who do listen can want to know what they are talking about in their songs which can motivate them to want to learn their language. They think it's a unique way of singing also in an aggressive way which is very cool in my opinion. Metal is also a way that artists get their points across through those lyrics.

Personal Connection: I´ve heard of Alien Weaponry before and listened to a couple of songs and I admire how they took their native tongue and turned into metal. I think it's an awesome way to preserve their language and motivate others to want to learn also. I would also see non Maori in the comments saying even though they are not from there, their music influences them to want to learn the maori language and culture just so they can understand what they are singing about. I think that proves what music can do.

Simms, Kelly. “JINJER: From Ukraine With Love.” OU+BURNONLINE, 2020, outburn.com/interviews/jinjer-tatiana.

Jinjer is a progressive metal band from Ukraine. They are a female fronted band, the singer is Tatiana Shmayluk. Lately they have been getting more popular all over the world. Tatiana can go from singing like an angel to a very deep voice. When some hear her sing they may not even think it's a woman singing, because her voice is so unique. Plus she is petite so it is hard to believe if you do see her that her voice is coming out of that body.They have done tours in the US Tati expresses that she tries not to talk as much in between songs because english isn't her first language and it may be hard to understand and pronounce words in english. She mainly wants to focus on creating an awesome show for guests.

Personal Connection: I´ve had the privilege to see Jinjer live before. They are amazing live, it's definitely an experience. I admire Tati so much because she creates a platform for teenage girls or even little girls that you can have a place in the metal industry. Whether it's playing an instrument or being the vocalist. There are other bands that are female fronted also, there's a band called Nervosa from Brazil they´re an all female group they show they are capable of creating heavy music as an all woman band.