Fox Theresa "Bear"

Article by Sesi King
Vol 29 No 38
September 22, 2011

Theresa Bear Fox is better known as "Bear Fox", singer and songwriter. She was born to the late Leo and Charlotte Swamp on a very hot summer day on August 31, 1966. She is the youngest of 14 and is married to Sky Fox and together they share five children and one granddaughter.

Her story and singing career has really taken off with it all beginning in a busy household with many family members who were her audience as a little girl. Bear had made songs for her nieces and nephews, one was called 'Fungus Feet' and another called 'Where are you going? At the age of 7, she produced a tape called 'The Family Song' and dedicated it to her siblings. As you can see, singing was in her heart at a very young age. Bear's favourite singer was Nancy Sinatra with, 'These Boots Were Made For Walking.'

Time went on and she hit her teen years. Bear remembered that as she rode her school bus, out of the blue would come a melody. The same melody would stay with her until she focused on it and would write words to that tune. That's the way she went and the next thing she knew she was beginning to write many songs. It was nice because in the Swamp family other members were musical too. Her mother Charlotte could play piano and always listened to Country, her brothers Ron and Roy played guitar and sang as well as her sister Liz. Needless to say, Bear kept singing and continued to write more songs.

In 1986 her daughter, Iahonwa:awi was born and then came 4 sons, Niharonhia:a, Karoniote, Shatekaronhioten and Tewenteneh. Bear's music was inspired by her children and their stories came through in the songs. She became involved with the Akwesasne Freedom School where the children attended from Pre-K through Grade 8. Bear wrote a song thanking all the teachers for their dedication in educating young people in our language and culture.

There was a dark time in the lives of the Fox family when tragedy hit by way of a house fire that burned their house and all their belongings. The Creator looked over them that early morning and brought them to safety, although all else was lost. They will always remember how the community pulled together to help them during that unforgettable time. Thankfully a young man, Derek Cook was on his way to work and saw the flames and called in the fire. Since that time, Bear began to take her music very seriously and knew this would be a way to bring in some income to help rebuild their lives.

She has been writing and producing her songs and making singing appearances locally and far away. Her travels have taken her to California, New Paltz, New York City, Newtown and the Six Nations Territories. Colleges and Universities have also called upon her to share her stories through her songs. When Bear gets an idea for a song, she is
usually near water like a river or stream. Water has so much power and as she sits by it, again a melody will come to mind and she isn't able to do anything else until she writes those words to that tune. "Many of my songs are medicine, and when I sing, sometimes it's with other women in various communities," said Bear. "I feel that women have to deal with so much in life, we carry a very heavy load all the time. My hope is that the songs give them strength and use the music to help them heal."

Bear's happiest times are when she sees her audience applaud and sees their faces filled with happiness. It is the best when they can understand her music and words while relating to it and knowing that it has touched their hearts as it has touched Bear's. She gets so happy when she is around children and she sees them light up from seeing her songs and being near her. It gets even better when she knows the children are trying to learn her songs.

Her most difficult times are when she tries to balance out her career and her family life. "I want my children to be content and before I leave for an engagement, I want to know they are safe and happy," said Bear on that difficulty. "That way, I can continue to do my thing."

Bear has so many people that have helped her and been involved with the growth of her singing career. She would like to take this time acknowledge them and thank them for their help on her journey. "Nia:wen to Angela for teaching me the traditional social songs, Katsitsionni for being there as we were forming the Kontiwennahawi group and your friendship, and Konwakeri for all the help with the language part of the songs, you were always so valuable to me," said Bear. "To Bobby Jacobs, nia:wen for all your help and suggestions - you have done so much for me and for the use of your studio. Nia:wen to Terry, Atsiaktonkie, Happy, Dan White, Carl Patterson.and John Francis for all your help. I know I may have forgotten some people and please know it was not my intention to do so. There have been so many people along the way that have shown assistance and I will always remember that."

There is a Webpage for Bear's contact information and learn how to order her CD, and the website is www.bearfoxmusic.com