Jason “Smoke” Nichols and Stuart “Big S2” Perkins visited the Red Lake Nation Boys and Girls Club June 10 with motivational speeches about the downside of alcohol, drugs and gangs. “Smoke” on his fifth visit to Red Lake in less than three years, was there to visit with youth and perform a concert at the Boys and Girls Club.

Twenty-five Red Lake Youth ages 12 to 18 streamed into the Teen Room of the Boys and Girls Club at 3 p.m. on Thursday to hear Nichols and Perkins give testimony, and answer questions, as part of Nichols “2010 Rezolution Tour.” Nichols took about an hour and a half to present his personal story of drug use and gang activity, and how he found his way out.

Nichols, who grew up in southern California, was a gang member for awhile, and from ages 14 to 20 he was in and out of lock-up. He has used a number of illegal drugs, but is now 13 years clean and sober from drugs and alcohol.

Perkins read a hip-hop like poem called “Phillip.” The poem was about his experiences and dealing with peer pressure taken from his life in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. He was coerced to join gangs and participate in the use of drugs and alcohol. The poem describes how he resisted and went on to learn graphic arts and perform as a musician. “I decided I didn’t want that lifestyle, and I decided to go to college.” Perkins studied arts and crafts including pottery and graphic arts.

“You can still be cool and do positive things,” said Nichols at the beginning of his talk. “I’ve got tattoos. You can dress and be as you like.” He went on to encourage those in attendance to follow their dreams. “Do what you like, find a school that teaches what you like. Follow your dream instead of drugs and gangs. Choose this path and it will lead to this, choose another path and it will lead to that.”

Nichols has a way about him that gives credibility to his message. He gets the kids to listen, and maybe more importantly, to talk. He looks at them straight in the eye, after he establishes rapport, and asks questions. And he gets answers. Some of the questions Nichols asked were quite sobering. “How many of you know someone your own age that does drugs or alcohol?” All kids raised their hands. “How many of you know a gang member?” All raised their hands. “How many of you are being raised by a grandparent or other person than your parents? A half dozen kids raised their hands.

He even asked, “How many of you have parents who do drugs?” And several kids cautiously raised their hands. “How does it make you feel?” The answers came shyly and quietly, but it morphed into a muffled shout as one heard the responses; “like nothing,’” “disappointed,” “don’t want to live with ‘em,” the kids replied.

But hope is alive as evidenced by other questions Nichols asked, like if anyone spoke Ojibwemowin, and two youth raised their hands qualifying their response with “pretty good.” Nichols said it was important to learn and speak their language so they can learn from their elders, and pass on the stories of their tribe.

And more good news. “How many of you plan to go to college?” The answer brought proud smiles to the few adults in the room as every single kid in the room raised their hands. “Well you need a plan,” Nichols said. “And it’s not too early to start. Don’t be afraid to dream, and dream big. And stay away from negative people.”

Nichols asked what the kids would like to see on their reservation that they now have to go to Bemidji for. One girl smiled as she teased that she’d like to have the Mall of America at Red Lake. But others had more realistic dreams like a bowling alley, a golf course, a movie theater, an ice cream parlor, a theme park.

“Well bring them to Red Lake,” he encouraged. “Help people spend their money here on your reservation. Visualize it. See yourself as being successful.” He then gave the dream reality when he said, “And there is money out there to help you. The Federal government has grants for Native businesses; look it up.”

Nichols then talked about gangs. “Now why does that have anything to do with our culture?” He said that if Indian kids really knew the meaning behind the names of gangs such as “BK-13” and others, they would realize that they have nothing in common with these gang members. Nichols explained that many Indian kids could find themselves in deeper trouble than they could ever know, as Nichols described the meaning, the names, the signs, and the doings of gangs.

Nichols wanted to clarify the origin of his nickname, “Smoke” lest it be misunderstood as something more sinister, drug related or “gangster.” It was a nickname he received as a child. ... “Smokey,” now “Smoke.” But not smoke, like pot or other drugs? “Smoke” is symbolic. “Before e-mail, before telephones, even before the pony express, smoke was a form of communication used by your Indian ancestors,” Nichols said. “It was used to send messages, and sometimes warnings to other tribes or clans.” And that is what “Smoke” wants to do now. Send a message to Indian youth.

Nichols also told the kids that he is the father of six children. He said that at first he was just into the money making hip-hop music, but decided to use his musical message to promote good living. Hip-hop and rap has had a checkered history, but new artists such as “Smoke” are using the medium for a more positive message and encouraging young people to think. Although he does do adult material, he also does PG13 with a message for Indian youth.

Nichols brought a bit of striking seriousness and sadness to the crowd as he spoke about suicide prevention. He says that his eldest daughter, age 13, died when playing the “choking game” just about a year ago. He hopes it was an accident and not intentional, a suicide. But it’s one more thing we have to encourage our youth to stay clear of. Suicide prevention will continue to be a part of “Smoke’s” message along with drugs, alcohol and gangs. (The “choking game” is a misunderstood activity causing death and suffering for thousands of families worldwide. It often begins with high-achieving teens choking each other as a way to get high without the risk of getting caught with drugs or alcohol. It ends with thousands of kids dying or suffering permanent brain damage each year.)

More about “Smoke” and “Big S2”

Jason “Smoke” Nichols, Ojibwe/Cree/Lakota, uses hip-hop to send a positive message to youth. He travels the country giving motivational speeches and concerts. Stuart “Big S2” Perkins is an enrolled Red Lake member from the Twin Cities who met Nichols on a visit to Red Lake two years ago, and now tours with “Smoke” performing his own brand of hip-hop poetry with a message.

“Big S2” and “Smoke” strike a pose showing their recent awards for music received in Hilo, Hawaii.

Nichols and Perkins brought along some recent music awards they’ve received at the West Coast American Indian Music Awards held in Hilo, Hawaii. Nichols won the Youth Achievement Award, and Perkins won for Incoming Artist of the Year. Nichols’ entertainment group, RezHeadz, won the Entertainment Group of the Year Award.

Perkins, also a budding graphic artist, displayed some awards he received in that medium from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. He won second place in the arts and crafts category for pottery and computer graphics.

Nichols said he is the first Native American artist to hit the top 10 on the music charts. His company RezHeadz is the publicity arm for many Native acts including Red Cloud and Pow Wow Comedy Jam, which has done a series on Showtime television. Pow Wow Comedy Jam was the opening act at Seven Clans Casino this past January for the grand opening.

Nichols has an extraordinary amount of energy. He is constantly working, thinking, writing, creating, dreaming. He is not only a talented musician and astute speaker, but is also an enterprising entrepreneur. Not only has he developed RezHeadz Entertainment, a promotional tool, but is in the process of writing a hip-hop opera. Part of Smoke’s “2010 Rezolution Tour” is something he calls “Onward and Upward.” The concept is to promote a new way of engaging Indian youth to volunteer in community activities. Nichols wants to form chapters in Indian communities across the country. He gives presentations encouraging kids to volunteer in their communities with certain goals to be met. Volunteer activities could include cleaning up, helping elders, working with kids, etc. Those who fulfill their commitment would be invited to participate in a “big blow out” after the end of the year, in some city yet to be named. There would be Indian kids in attendance from throughout the country. The celebration would include a pow wow, music, crafts, networking, and more. Nichols is looking for tribal sponsors for the youth of their particular reservations, but also big time sponsors. None are in the bag yet, but he is feeling positive.

In the past 18 months, Nichols has visited 218 Native communities, concerts and pow wows. His first show at Red Lake in 2008 drew 1,000 fans.