Jason Brown aka Firefly

Jason Brown, also known as Firefly, is a Native American artist of the Penobscot Nation, with Swedish roots, born and raised in ancient Wabanaki territory.

Deeply influenced by the traditions of his people, Firefly performs traditional hand drum, Shaker, and vocal songs as well as cutting edge musical compositions rooted in his ancestral traditions.

Jason Brown aka Firefly (Penobscot, born 1973), Wabanavia, 2022, still from multimedia experience, approximately 5 minutes. Courtesy of the artist. © Jason Brown

For Brown, Firefly is a music keeper of the Penobscot Nation whose goal is to “use music to both entertain people and educate them about racial injustice, historical trauma, and collective healing.” Wabanaki people, including the Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki nations, have inhabited the Land of the Dawn, or what is now northern New England, the Canadian Maritimes, and Quebec, since time immemorial according to oral histories, and for at least 13,000 years according to archaeological records.

In the dreamscape video Wabanavia, Brown serves as the lead protagonist who explores familiar yet fantastical environs that draw upon his personal heritage, traditional Wabanaki greeting songs, Scandinavian musical notes, and Norse mythology.

Jason Brown aka Firefly (Penobscot, born 1973), Wabanavia, 2022, still from multimedia experience, approximately 5 minutes. Courtesy of the artist. © Jason Brown

I was raised within Wabanaki culture so to me that is second nature. Learning about my Swedish cultural heritage is new to me and what I find fascinating is Wabanaki, Sápmi, and Viking lore run side by side. To me that signals a deeper, more ancient connection between these worlds that goes back farther than anyone realizes.
— Jason Brown

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