Aspen Songs Kids national book tour
THE ASPEN SONG KIDS, composed of 12 young learners from Taos Pueblo including nine belonging to the same family lineage, are dedicated to preserving their culture and way of life.
Under the guidance of their father and mentor, Tarynce, the children of Aspen Song Kids engage in a multitude of artistic and storytelling endeavors as part of their broader mission. Tarynce emphasizes the importance of contributing positively to their community, instilling in the group the belief that success can be achieved without the need to relocate. He feels strongly that with the right tools and platform, his family can find the type of success Tarynce was always told he would have to leave Taos to find. He is committed to supporting their individual journeys towards recognition for their passions while encouraging them to be creative and use their imagination for the betterment of their families and Taos Pueblo culture.
The overarching goal of the Aspen Song Kids is to safeguard their lineage, cultural traditions and stories for seven generations. This commitment is their family’s way of giving back to the community and is supported by the autonomous approach to preservation that Tarynce highlights.
According to Tarynce, at Taos Pueblo, each individual has the opportunity to contribute to the conservation and continuation of their traditional way of life. This may involve learning the Tewa language either at home or in the classroom and participating in traditional customs. The knowledge and the stories they share are the real abilities to go out into the mountain and forage wild herbs, nuts and foods. Aspen Song
Kids work to use the resources of the land for survival and for success in the wider world. They’ve been taught to respectfully find their own remedies to serve their own lineage, in turn unlocking their shared historical knowledge. Tarynce reflects on this as the feeling in your body when your spirit has done something before; the connection from spirit to Mother Earth that tells us we’re home. The Aspen Song Kids advocate for embracing one’s origins and have a deep respect for their culture and way of life.
The inspiration for the Aspen Song Kids project lies in the group’s dedication to supporting their family and guiding themselves to discover their identity and voice. They actively participate in art initiatives like the Paseo Project in Taos, focusing on issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), further showcasing their commitment to giving voice to the voiceless. By representing the first group of Taos Pueblo artisans in the Paseo Project, they have expanded their platform and promoted an art project that uses natural pigments and foraged dyes to create unique handprints. In April, the Aspen Song Kids will be featured in the Santa Fe Meow Wolf Rainbow Room, elevating their traditional art into a new dimension with LED lights, 3D glasses and music.
When it comes to storytelling, the Aspen Song Kids have created a beautiful book collecting their youthful perspective on their traditional stories. They are in the middle of a local book tour, taking to local libraries to talk about their book and bringing drum group performances, guided by local professionals to local libraries. The group’s skills include various dances and singing styles, weaving new stories and songs into their cultural tapestry.
Their book, “Sacred Spiral,” serves as a compilation of stories written and illustrated by the children. The book not only provides insights into their culture but also showcases their international impact, with original artwork featured in the publication sold to people across Africa and Europe. The paintings tell stories, and the accompanying words offer deeper meanings, providing a comprehensive understanding of Taos Pueblo’s community from the perspective of the Aspen Song Kids.
One of the stories is about “The Quiet Season,” or the time of year that things are colder and darker. It can be considered a time for reflection and healing, typically felt during winter. Another story, “Here Comes The Water,” talks about snowmelt and the run-off season. It talks about the movements and activities at Taos Pueblo to start irrigating the fields with an emphasis on the sacredness of water that is paramount to the survival of people and culture. The book, the creative projects, and the efforts of Aspen Song Kids, under the guidance of their father Tarynce, all provide an avenue to success built on a platform of cultural appreciation and heritage.