After releasing a number of tracks online and DJing at various dance and aboriginal events, the band released their self-titled debut album as a free internet download in 2012. The album was named as a longlisted nominee for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize on June 14, 2012. Their second album, Nation II Nation, was released in 2013 and was named a longlisted nominee for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize on June 13, 2013; in July, it was named to the prize's final 10-album shortlist. The band also won several awards at the 2013 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, including Best Group and Best Album for Nation II Nation.
The band has toured extensively across Canada[8] and the United States and has performed festival dates in the United Kingdom, Germany[10] and Greece.
They have been featured on CBC Radio's Q and Canada Live, and have been playlisted on both CBC Radio 2 and CBC Radio 3.
In 2014, they garnered two Juno Award nominations at the Juno Awards of 2014, for Breakthrough Group of the Year and Electronic Album of the Year.
The band has been a vocal supporter of Idle No More. In 2013 they issued a public statement asking non-aboriginal fans to refrain from cultural appropriation by wearing headdresses and war paint to their shows, and Campeau filed a human rights complaint against an amateur football club in Ottawa that was using "Redskins" as its club name.
We Are the Halluci Nation
A Tribe Called Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We live on an industrial reservation
We are the Halluci Nation
We have been called the Indians
We have been called Native American
We have been called hostile
We have been called Pagan
We have been called militant
We are the Halluci Nation
We are the human beings
The callers of names cannot see us, but we can see them
We are the Halluci Nation
Our DNA is of earth and sky
Our DNA is of past and future
We are the Halluci Nation
We are the evolution, the continuation
Halluci Nation
The Halluci Nation
We are the Halluci Nation
The lyrics to A Tribe Called Red's "We Are the Halluci Nation" speak to the experience of indigenous peoples in North America who have been marginalized, oppressed, and labeled by mainstream society. The tribe they refer to is their own, the Halluci Nation, a name which they have adopted as an act of resistance against negative labels placed upon them by colonizers. The lyrics express their frustration with being viewed as invisible, hostile, and pagan, and instead assert their existence as human beings who embody a unique connection to the land and history through their DNA.
The Halluci Nation is portrayed as an evolution and continuation of their culture and people, emphasizing a communal and forward-thinking mentality. The use of the word "halluci" refers to the psychedelic experience, which is often associated with indigenous ceremonies and spirituality. Thus, the lyrics imply a connection to both ancestral tradition and modern innovation, elevating their identity to something beyond the limiting labels imposed upon them by society.
Line by Line Meaning
We are the tribe that they cannot see
We are a tribe that is often ignored or invisible to the dominant society.
We live on an industrial reservation
We reside on land designated for our people, but this area has been impacted by industrialization.
We are the Halluci Nation
Our people are not just a tribe, but a nation that embraces hallucination and spirituality.
We have been called the Indians
We have been referred to inappropriately using a term given to us by colonizers.
We have been called Native American
We have been given another label that is not necessarily representative of our cultures and peoples.
We have been called hostile
We have been unfairly accused of being aggressive or violent.
We have been called Pagan
We have been called heathen or unchristian, which is not reflective of our spiritual beliefs.
We have been called militant
We have been accused of being overly militant or radical, which is not accurate.
We have been called many names
We have been given many labels that are not necessarily respectful or accurate.
We are the Halluci Nation
We are a people united in culture and spiritual beliefs that value vision and insight.
We are the human beings
We are not just a label, but a group of diverse and unique human beings with a rich history and culture.
The callers of names cannot see us, but we can see them
The dominant society may not acknowledge or value us, but our people are aware of their actions and intentions.
Our DNA is of earth and sky
Our people are connected to nature and the larger universe, as represented in our DNA.
Our DNA is of past and future
Our people have a strong connection to our past and history, but also look towards the future and evolution of our culture.
We are the Halluci Nation
We are a proud and united people who value our unique culture and spirituality.
We are the evolution, the continuation
Our people continue to evolve and thrive despite challenges, and will further the continuation of our culture.
Halluci Nation
Our people are united in their commitment to our cultural values and spirituality.
The Halluci Nation
Our people are not just a tribe, but a nation united in our beliefs and values.
We are the Halluci Nation
Our people are proud and united in our cultural identity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John F Trudell, Ian Campeau, Timothy Hill, Ehren Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@byzmaaref
I'm a Muslim, these days I had been speaking a lot for the Palestinians, doing everything I can to spread awareness against the colonisers. I realised how our native American brothers and sisters faced something almost similar to what they are going through right now.
Thinking of the native American history as well the Palestinian one, literally made me cry just now. The word "beautiful" is an understatement for this song.
@sharonhaywood2818
🪶🪶🪶🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🥁🥁🥁
@TheBella2u
R.I.P. John Trudell. You are missed.
@empressearthangel1701
He will be back as promised 💪🙏🙌 🐎
@karendalsadik7119
@@empressearthangel1701 ❤️♥️
@ravennelson827
We are the wind the smoke of our prayers that you can not grasp...
@officialVozie100
Da'an'zho kwaii I'm 100 💯% native american apache cree of north america love my people eternity ❤
@cosmicfart3142
I'm not Native American, I just have a genuine appreciate and respect. Music connects all. Music for me is sacred, and I am certain it is for many others.
@johnfox392
We are the Human Beings . Love & Light
@saulgoodman4826
We're all connected by math and sounds... And we create sounds out of math. It's our true language. It's the language of human beings understood by all and that includes the music because music is math and math is music.