Victor Gage was born a Native American. Growing up among his people and culture, he has lived and honored the traditions throughout his life. He has walked the Red Road from his first steps. Early on he learned and became proficient at Native Dance and Ceremonial Music, performing and practicing the long held customs passed down for generations. Even to this day he brings this rare element to his musical projects and personal appearances. This deep rooted background has enabled him to step into the world of mainstream music and the big screen with roles that portray his culture with a sense of genuine realism, respect and honor. This is because he is the genuine article. His life experience has not only made him a sought after actor for Native American roles, but as a cultural consultant to many productions where expert advice and guidance is needed in writing and screenplay. His ability to speak multiple Native American languages, and a better command of English than most who speak it as a first language, has enabled him to entertain and captivate in many roles beyond the obvious typecast. Most recent projects include major feature films Lore and Anchorman 2 with starring roles on television series such as Sleepy Hollow, The Red Road and Andersonville. He is also well known as Jimmy Firewalker from Walker Texas Ranger.
This fundraiser is something near and dear to my heart. I have always been taught by my elders to respect and honor the animals. Animals play a huge part in my culture. We are told to watch the animals and learn from them. We are told that there is a lesson to learn from each of them. When my friend Georgia Paris approached me about the possibility of this happening, I was excited to join in. I am honored to have been chosen with the amazing and talented group of artists that Lois Chazen has chosen for her first CD. I want to be a part of helping to save animals, and bring to light the conditions of the world that we are leaving, not only for the animals to live in, but for our children and grandchildren. The full message is about the entire planet and how we as humans are treating it.
My song is about the world around us and what condition we have left it in. One of the values that has been instilled in me from childhood to adulthood was to take care of Mother Earth. We came from the dust of this planet and that is what we will return to. Why do we treat the Earth and the plants and animals the way we do? We cannot treat Mother Earth any way we want and think it be here for our children, our grandchildren, the plants, the animals, and all of those who will come after us. We have a power and we can use that power in two ways: we can help or we can destroy. The choice is ours and ours alone to make. I hope that my song will bring light to ways that our Earth is treated, and get people to think about what we are leaving behind. Only leave footprints!
If we don't start now, our animals don't have a chance. We are losing so many species yearly because their world has become inhabitable. WHY? Because humans have taken over and made it that way. There are so many beautiful creatures that we have not laid eyes on yet-we will never do so because they will become extinct. It doesn't have to be this way. The world doesn't have to become a grave for animal species who will never return to us. We make it that way, we choose what we have. One person CAN make a difference. I sincerely hope that we all can look within ourselves and take the first steps to being the change that the world, the future generations, and the animals need.