Female

46

Good Rising. Great Awakening. Thank you for taking a moment to read my story. My prayer is that you will be intrigued, and will want to become a part of this story. The truth is that you are already a part of this story……

Musician (Singer/Songwriter/Keyboards), Cultural Astronomer and Craftswoman, Tchiya Amet was born August 5, and raised on the South Side of Chicago, IL. Her cultural heritage resembles a patchwork quilt: She is First Nations (Moor, Cherokee, Creole, and Blackfoot). She is a Contemporary Urban Indigenous woman. Her spiritual practice reflects the Teachings of the Ancient Ones from the Four Directions.


After a successful yet unconscious "career" at elementary and high school indoctrination and mis-education, she entered Oberlin College and pursued a degree in Physics. The ABUSUA Black Student campus organization introduced Tchiya to many ideals, principles and prophets of the Black Consciousness movement. This would include Ron Karenga, founder of the Nguza Saba (the seven principles of blackness, which serve as the foundation for the cultural observance of Kwanzaa) as well as Malcolm X: "Until all of us are free, none of us are free! Until all of us are fed, all of us are hungry!". For breaks from her physics studies, she entered the realm of The Conservatory and took up Jazz Piano as a hobby. As a young girl, Tchiya spent many hours at the piano, composing her own tunes, yet always for herself. She would later go on to perform with the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble.

Tchiya then entered the Graduate Astronomy Program at the University of Texas in Austin with hopes of becoming an Astronaut. She studied Galactic Astronomy with Gerard and Antoinette de Vaucouleurs. This dream was shattered when she realized that NASA is just like another branch of the U.S. Military. It was also at this time that she learned about the Natural Life and Healing, Yoga, the Spirit and of the Power of the Mind. And of the lies and fallacies that run modern society, mainly: history, religion, politics, education, government, money, broken peace treaties, slavery, racism, allopathic medicine, health, diet, and pollution. In other words, BABYLON. Reggae Music, the Rastafarian and Black Hebrew Israelite Movements opened her eyes and mind to Truth, History, Health and Culture.


In no time at all, Tchiya had become a vegetarian and yoga student. She was well on her way to begin studies in Oregon for a career as a Naturopathic Doctor. This all changed when she met Mario Vela, fell in love and began her family life with the home-birth of their first daughter, Monoah. Tchiya was assisted solely by Mario. Tchiya thought her husband was crazy when he would say that someday, they would have a band, and that she would sing and play keyboards. Turns out he was far from being crazy.....What made this all even more amazing for Tchiya is that she drew pictures of Mario in her journal when she was a teenager.

Since that time, she has given birth at home, assisted by Mario and Monoah, for the second time (second daughter, Lluvia). She has played in Irie Jane, One Nation, the Presidents, World Tribe, Karison, DOGON SIRIUS, and most recently, Isaac Haile Selassie and Joanna Marie. After returning to UT for a brief time to study Cultural Astronomy with Linda Schele, Tchiya was inspired to do Festival work. Once she realized the significance of indigenous community festivals at certain times of the year (Solstices, Equinoxes, Full and New Moons, etc.), she was determined to produce festivals and /or be involved with them year-round. Her first project was working with Harold McMillan to produce the Clarksville Jazz Festivals ('91 & '92). She then went on to produce the Marcus Mosiah Garvey Appreciation Days '92 & '93 (Milky Way Productions). With DOGON SIRIUS, Tchiya toured with the Bob Marley Festivals: '94 & '96.

For the next two years ('96-'98), Tchiya lived out in the Hill Country, finishing up her first CD, "RISE AGAIN TRUTH", and developing a line of wild herb crafts and SpaceCrafts: original, hand-made hats, bags & clothing items featuring organic fabrics & designs from the four directions of the earth.


Tchiya began homeschooling with her daughters the day they were born. The curriculum at Arbol de Vida Homeschool has included: Yoga, Knowledge of Self, Math/Ma'at, Astronomy/Astrology, Music, Art, Organic Gardening, Science of Living and Natural Health, Indigenous Rights, Sovreign America, Vegan Cooking, Environmental Studies, Soccer, Drama, Homeschoolers' Social Club and Culture Studies. Tchiya has been practicing yoga for over 13 years now, and enjoys sharing her wisdom with children and adults alike. Her many passions include Hiking, Swimming in Spring Water, Jogging, Organic Gardening, Celestially Aligned Festivals, Vegan Lifestyle, Herstory, Hemp, Environmental Awareness (especially the raising of), Biodiesel Options, indigenous Rights, Sovereignty, Moorish Nationality, Lifestyles of the Pre-Invasion Era, Herbal Medicine, Indigenous lLnguages, Cultures, Creation Stories and Crafts, Candle Making, Family Life, Natural Healing and Health Care, and Watermelon.

Y2K: Tchiya Amet toured with the Spirit of Bob Marley Festival tour. In addition to her other activities, Tchiya added Soccer Mom, and Musical Director for the Zachary Scott Theatre Homeschoolers' Drama program to her list. She also taught a Yoga workshop at Sam Houston State University as part of their Unity Festival 2000. Some other festivals this year: Houston Women's Festival, Alamo Community Gardens Festival and Austin I.S.D. Pow Wow.


FAST FORWARD TO THE NOW!

The Healing Energy of my Life is Moving. My Past and My Present are coming
together, for the NOW! My Eternal Life is beginning to emerge and unfold. I am currently making a way to combine my gifts in music and science:
Healing, and Raising Awareness, with Sound; performing music that is inspired by the Ancient Wisdom which is found in Cultural Astronomy: the Traditional and Contemporary Celestial Worldviews of Indigenous Peoples of the Four Directions.

In this moment, my passion for this work has been re-kindled by a book called, “When Rocks Cry Out” by Horace Butler. Since reading this book in 2005, I have begun the process of re-entering grad school, I have initiated the healing process surrounding the traumatic events of my youth, I have traveled to Teotihuacan with don Miguel Ruiz (Toltec Master), I have connected with someone that lives in the same vicinity that Linda Schele did when she studied and lived in Palenque. In fact, this January, I am traveling with my daughters to Belize, Palenque, Cusco, Peru, and Brasil. During this journey, we will be visiting a few of the places mentioned in “When Rocks Cry Out”. Lluvia will be celebrating her 17th birthday while in Brasil. On top of all of this, I will be recording my third album while in Rio de Janeiro with some of the finest musicians in the region including Eugenio Dale and Sidao Olivera Santos. So, this trip will be a triple blessing: Music, Research, and Family.
T
he music of the next album will reflect all of the love, wisdom, and truth that will be shared during this adventure.

Loving Truth, Peaceful Freedom and Justice, Tchiya Amet Hambric-Vela


PAST PERFORMANCES:

Roots Mountain Reggae Festival
World One Festival
One World Festival
One Root Festival
Reggae on the River
Sierra Nevada World
Music Festival
Discover Native America:
Seminole Days Pow Wow
African Market Place:
Native American Pow Wow
Austin ISD Pow Wow
Monterey Bay Reggae Fest
San Francisco Reggae in the Park
Dreadstock Reggae Fest
Starbelly Jam Festival
Mayfair Spring Music Festival
Earth Day Solar Powered Festival
Bob Marley Days National
Touring Festivals
Orcas Island Reggae Festival
Round Valley Domestic
Violence Conference
Santa Rosa Compassionate Caregivers
Clinic for Medicinal Marijuana Patients
Progressive Festival
Benbow Summer Arts Festival
AND MANY MORE!