Exploring Life & Business with Jacob Crane of Cultural Fire Events Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Crane

Hi Jacob, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jacob Crane, and I come from the Tsuut’ina Nation, an Indigenous community in southern Alberta, Canada. I grew up immersed in my traditional culture and attended powwows, roudances, ceremonies, and other cultural activities. After some years, my parents decided that it was time for a change, and we moved to Utah, where I faced cultural shock and other challenges that young people face during their youth.

My father would take us to powwows growing up to keep us culturally connected while living in Utah. This is where my brothers and I developed our love for singing, dancing, and traveling. I guess you could say it was in my blood to perform (three generations), as my grandparents met traveling for the Buffalo Bill and Wild West show. My father was also a part of BYU’s Lamanite Generation (since renamed Living Legends) dance troupe. So it would make sense for me to be a part of Utah Valley University’s Cultural Envoy Dance Troupe, where I traveled internationally. Although this is one aspect of my life, it is an important one because being in the community brought me closer to who I am, and it also taught me the giveaway, giving back to ones community.

Life in Utah wasn’t always easy for me. When I was in my teenage years, I entered circles that I probably shouldn’t have been a part of. I became a teenage parent at 16, and I also dropped out of high school later that year. I remember working at odd-end jobs, trying to pay the bills and make things work. This went on for several years, before I decided to attend UVU, where I studied business management and really where my life changed for the better. It was at that time that I began becoming more involved with Tribal affairs back home in Canada and would often travel back and forth to learn more about systematic barriers that Indigenous people faced. That’s where my love for Indian Affairs truly developed and I had great mentors fostering that passion.

Since that time, I have dedicated the past thirteen years of my life to supporting Indigenous communities across North America, with experiences spanning from the nonprofit sector to advocacy work for Indigenous Peoples’ rights at the United Nations. I am also deeply committed to fostering innovation and supporting Indigenous businesses that promote more inclusive frameworks for Indigenous Peoples.

Currently, I am involved with Cultural Fire Events, a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe spaces for Tribal communities across Utah to celebrate through song and dance. We host numerous activities and events throughout the year that positively impact thousands of Native Americans in Utah. These events range from fundraisers in Park City to the Intermountain Championships Powwow in Heber and the Red Canyon Powwow in Moab. We also provide firewood to Utah Navajo elders each November. To date, our initiatives have positively impacted over 6,000 people in Utah while offering opportunities for local vendors, contractors, and towns to benefit financially from our events.

In addition to engaging in numerous service projects, my team consists of young people who have the chance to be mentored by the Cultural Fire Events team. We are committed to passing on this traditional knowledge to the younger generation, helping them understand the importance of caring for the community. When native youth witness the success of Native people, it inspires a strong desire within them to achieve their own success, this is what we strive for, this is what keeps me going during the hard times and heavy lifting of the organization.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My first interaction with someone being racist was at the age of five. I was in Lethbridge Alberta, a man drove by and gave me the bird and called a dam Indian. My sister and I were sitting down playing when this happened.

During my time in Utah, I faced discrimination, racism and other systematic barrier of oppression. From having signs hung on our home, to people throwing eggs at our house this is a small part of what I have faced.

I also remember being raced off the sidewalk by a DARE officer, who then asked me why I was running from him? I told him I wasn’t running; I was trying to get home quickly so that my family and I could leave for a powwow because I was late leaving high School, and I didn’t want my drum group waiting.

This is just a few short stories about what I faced growing up.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Cultural Fire Events journey began during the pandemic. Tribal Nations and communities were greatly impacted by not being able to come together to dance, sing, and celebrate. This is where our story begins with hosting community events like powwows. The Co-founders of Cultural Fire Events also believed that Indigenous people thrive when they are culturally connected. We also started hosting powwows and events to create safe places to continue reinforcing a sense of community and belonging for the Indigenous population of Utah and the Southwest.

These events help strengthen the identity of Native American youth and families living off of the reservation and away from their communities. Helping Indigenous youth to be strong and rooted in their Native American heritage has not only been shown to help reduce rates of suicide, drug & alcohol addiction, and domestic violence but also contributes to preserving culture & language.

I would say that I specialize in bringing people together and have a taste for fundraising. I would also say that I am known for getting things done no matter how hard they may appear. What sets me a part from others is I believe in what I am doing and have a burning desire in my heart to push through when things become challenging. I most proud of the work we have been able to accomplish to date. I am very fortunate to work with a talented team that believes in the work we are doing and supports/trusts my leadership. We wish to continue supporting the movement of bringing Indigenous representation to the forefront of the media and look forward to continuing to create safe spaces for Indigenous people to dance and sing.

Most recently, we have added a dance troupe element to the mission of Cultural Fire Events. So, if you’re looking for professional Native American performers to perform at your conference, summit, gathering, or opening ceremony, please contact us at culturalfireevents@gmail.com.

In closing, I would like to invite Utahns to join us this October 19 – 20, 2024 to the the Red Canyon Powwow being held at the Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Highway 191) in Moab, UT. General admissions are $10.00. For more information please contact culturalfireevents@gmail.com.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see Cultural Fire Events being a top leader in creating cultural experiences in the southwestern United States. Instead of us hosting two powwows a year, I see us hosting 6 – 8 powwows a year, in different locations in different states. Further continuing to bring Indigenous representation to the forefront of media.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.culturalfireevents.org
• Instagram: @culturalfireevents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/culturalfireevents