Plenty of artists make a lot of fanfare about the causes they support. While they can say they want to highlight whatever organization, there is undoubtedly a bit of wanting good PR as well. But not so with Tyler Childers. The 34-year-old has been quietly donating to Blackfeet programs, helping support issues facing Blackfeet Nation.
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According to an Instagram post by Indigenous.tv, the Kentucky native has been supporting causes like FAST Blackfeet, which provides food access and sustainability, along with Blackfeet Eco Knowledge, and Backpackers Ferry, the latter which provides transportation.
"It was a day that the Blackfeet came out to honor the man who touched so many lives and hearts on the Blackfeet Reservation of Montana... God bless this humble man whose heart has captured the Blackfeet," Bill Old Chief says.
Childers reportedly hosted a benefit for the Blackfeet Tribe in August of 2024.
" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;margin: 1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)">Why Tyler Childers Is Supporting Blackfeet Programs
According to the Instagram post, the "In Your Love" singer met Shawn Old Chief, a member of the Blackfeet community, during a tanning class. A fast friendship formed, with Childers doing all he can to support the people of the reservation, located in Northwest Montana.
"He's kind. He's compassionate. He helped our people," says Kash Hatcher, Shawn Old Chief's brother.
Childers had a hit single with "Feathered Indians" in 2017. It's a song Childers no longer performs, out of respect for the Indian community. It was when Childers became friends with Shawn Old Chief, that began feeling bad about the song. Childers acknowledges that the word "Indian" is volatile, even for the the Blackfeet community, which is why he stopped singing it.
"If there's conversation amongst those individuals about whether they should be using that word or not, then it ain't for me to be using. It's not mine," Childers tells GQ.
"That song has some of my favorite lines I've ever written, some of my favorite melodies," Childers says, overcome with emotion as he discusses the song. "Not playing that song is going to make people think."
Childers stopped playing "Feathered Indians" in 2020, and says it will never be part of his concerts again.
