CSKT COVID-19 Youth Campaign’s second release features musician Foreshadow

Tribal musician Shadow Devereaux, known as Foreshadow, released a new song on Friday entitled “Protect Your People” as part of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ COVID-19 awareness campaign aimed for youth on the Flathead Reservation.

CSKT leaders formed a special committee when they witnessed many young people on the reservation not taking the threat of COVID-19 seriously. The CSKT COVID Youth Community Care and Awareness Campaign is designed to deliver a culturally relevant message and bring awareness regarding the coronavirus pandemic to Flathead Reservation youth. It is built on themes such as “Protect Our Elders” and “Walk Together Well” with a goal of inspiring local youth to positively impact health and safety within the tribal community.

In an attempt to reach kids aged 12-18, CSKT orchestrated the unique social media campaign which features a series of COVID-19 themed music videos released from local artists and a TikTok dance competition related to each song released. Artie Mendoza III, also known as KiidTruth, kicked off the awareness movement by releasing his new song “Wash Your Dirty Hands” on June 12 and now Devereaux’s latest composition is the second release.

Devereaux’s masterpiece “Protect Your People” features complex themes regarding the coronavirus in relation to its effects on the tribal community. Apparent in the lyrics is a deep understanding of tribal values and the importance of taking responsible actions to protect the CSKT community.

“Once I heard Shadow’s song, I told the rest of the committee, brace yourselves,” Michelle Mitchell, CSKT education department head, explained. “It gave me goosebumps and I choked up; I am really pleased to help another talented tribal musician get their music and talent heard and seen.”

In the song, Devereaux expresses concern over the threats present in tribal communities due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As he raps, Buck Morigeau, a Salish Kootenai College language and arts teacher and Devereaux’s first cousin, plays a hollowing melody on the flute in traditional tribal dress — giving the video a powerful touch.

“When I heard this new song, it was overwhelming, actually pulling emotion from me,” CSKT councilwoman Charmel Gillin said. “The power of this message is exactly what the committee hoped to put into the ears and hearts of our youth in order to inspire a true connection with the heritage, culture and a chance to grasp the essence of honoring our elders by protecting their health.”

Devereaux is a Salish & Blackfeet hip-hop artist from the Flathead Indian Reservation who uses experiences directly related to his own life to inspire the descriptive lyrics put to the sound of his unique blend of modern trap rap and boom bap. As a seven-year-old growing up on the reservation he began developing a passion for music and has since recorded numerous songs and hit milestone achievements.

According to a press release, Devereaux’s passion for music, his family, his supporters and representation for Native American youth continue to be the driving forces behind his unwavering devotion to creating music.

When the committee asked Devereaux to be an artist in the COVID youth campaign, he expressed his excitement to use the platform and audience he has cultivated to speak directly to the youth.

“Touching on these themes for this track means a lot to me,” he said. “This song came natural and just felt right — I just wanted to speak to the youth who have supported me and my music over the years.”

His song premiered with a music video and a TikTok dance challenge, which allows local youth to make and post their own “challenge videos.” Youth participating in the challenge could win a $100 gift card for helping promote the message.