Wardruna has donated $14,000 USD to the Blackfeet Nation’s Firekeeper Alliance after performing at Fire In The Mountains.
CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses suicide.
Norwegian black metal band Wardruna has donated $14,000 USD ($21,328.62 AUD) to Firekeeper Alliance, a non-profit organisation committed to reducing suicide rates among the Blackfeet Nation and other Indigenous communities in Montana.
The donation followed the band’s performance at the metal festival Fire In The Mountains, which took place deep in the Montana wilderness. The festival aimed to raise awareness about significant issues affecting Native American communities.
Wardruna helped raise funds for their donation through the sale of a limited-edition t-shirt designed by a student from the Blackfoot Nation. More than 500 shirts were sold online and at Fire In The Mountains, raising $14,000 USD for the cause.
The metal group shared a statement following the sale, writing:
“It makes us profoundly happy and proud to see that the Wardruna community all over the world responded with a genuine desire to support the Firekeeper Alliance, their cause, purpose and work. True light-work is about daring to name and face the shadows, the dark and the pain. Thank you, Firekeeper Alliance, for your important work with suicide prevention. It was deeply moving to see the positive ripples of this work at Fire in the Mountains. Keep the fire burning!”
Firekeeper Alliance director Charlie Speicher also shared a statement on how Wardruna’s ongoing partnership has helped support the organisation’s mission.
“The connection between FITM, FKA, Wardruna, By Norse and AISAmusic is one of the most powerful relationships I’ve been a part of. This support of our mission and the work we are doing means a lot to us. From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you. This gesture, and everything else you have supported us with, is going to translate directly to creating a safer world here for our loved ones. Please know that your love, support, and generosity has lifted our organisation to allow us to help our community in ways we never dreamed would be possible.”
Wardruna released their sixth studio album, Birna, in January this year. You can listen to the album here.
If you need mental health support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online.
If you’re under 25, you can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
You can also contact the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or chat online.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
