TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Penobscot Nation

BIOGRAPHY
Firefly seeks to illuminate the beauty and healing power of indigenous culture through music, visuals and creativity. As a member of the Penobscot Nation he grew up in his people’s ancient village at Indian island, Maine. With live performance Firefly is helping to place Indigenous people in a modern context. He believes that through creative frequencies, we can begin to heal humanity and evolve to new levels of love, compassion and wellness.

As a traditional music keeper of the Wabanaki, Firefly has performed for many years throughout Maine. In 2020, Firefly took his creative performances to another level through cutting edge technology such as projection mapping and videography. This new evolution in his performances culminated in a national virtual performance with the Kennedy Center’s Arts Across America series and the release of his first album, “Sacred Fire.”

In February, 2023 Firefly debuted his futuristic combination of traditional vocals and electronic music to 6000 attendees at the historic Merril Auditorium in Portland Maine. In April, 2023 Firefly had the honor of being this first Wabanaki to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. That same month Firefly’s World Premiere of “Militakwat” was performed at the University of Maine. A collaboration with the 127 year old Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Firefly created a 3 part movement rooted in Wabanaki songs. He is the first Wabanaki to collaborate with this orchestra in it’s 127 year history.

Connect with Firefly

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UPCOMING DAWNLAND FESTIVAL OF ARTS & IDEAS

Organized by the Abbe Museum, the Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas is a unique multi-day event is an evolution of our popular Abbe Museum Indian Market (AMIM) and Native American Festival that featured invitation-only Native arts markets and performances. The Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas includes those elements but will also spotlight conversations by Wabanaki and other Indigenous leaders on some of the biggest questions of our time, including climate, democracy, and food systems.

The Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas is FREE and open to the public.

This event is supported in part by grants from the Henry Luce Foundation and Maine Office of Tourism, along with a partnership from the College of the Atlantic.