Indigenous Icons Reshaping the Musical Canon

As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honor artists who provide vital context to the Indigenous experience through their music, proudly collaborating with Precision Record Pressing.

National Indigenous Peoples Day, is a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, heritage, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Despite the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous nations, their cultures thrive, particularly through music. Supporting and listening to music by Indigenous artists provides insight into their experiences, concerns, and resilience. Through their lyrics and melodies, these musicians shed light on how past atrocities continue to impact the present, the relevance of ancient wisdom in solving modern problems, and the importance of cultural pride and preservation.

In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we focus on music by Indigenous artists from Canada. However, it’s crucial to remember the vast array of music by Indigenous musicians worldwide, and how these nations are interconnected beyond geographical borders.

Discover four visionary Indigenous artists whose records are reshaping the music industry with unmatched creativity and cultural resonance. Their profound connection to the earth and community shines through their work, transcending boundaries and merging tradition with innovation. They inspire emerging artists to amplify stories that would have to remain unheard. 

 

Jeremy Dutcher

Jeremy Dutcher, a classically trained operatic tenor, composer, and Two-Spirit activist from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) in Eastern Canada, has reshaped the intersection of Indigenous music and numerous other genres. Jeremy Dutcher’s music bridges genres and cultural boundaries by blending traditional Indigenous melodies with classical and Jazz influences. His debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa (2018), beautifully conveys the truth and emotions of Indigenous nations through a profound exploration of his Wolastoq heritage. By blending archival recordings of Wolastoq songs with his operatic voice and contemporary arrangements, Dutcher’s music serves as a bridge, helping Indigenous community members in his hometown as well as all of his listeners reconnect with their heritage and languages, which are undergoing a revival. Sung entirely in the endangered Wolastoqey language, the album earned Dutcher acclaim, including the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and a Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year.

Jeremy Dutcher’s latest album, Motewolonuwok, celebrates Indigenous artistry while challenging stereotypes, inviting listeners on a transformative journey of cultural rediscovery through evocative soundscapes and storytelling. Inspired by a poem by Cherokee writer Qwo-li Driskill, the album delves into themes of collective healing and resilience, anchored by Dutcher’s unique musical style. For the first time, he incorporates English lyrics, offering a listening experience that welcomes Indigenous and English listeners, amplifying his nation’s stories of healing and emergence.

Beyond his musical achievements, Dutcher passionately advocates for Indigenous rights and cultural preservation, continuously inspiring and educating others. He stands as a pivotal figure in contemporary Indigenous music, contributing significantly to cultural revitalization.

 

Elisapie

Elisapie, originally from Salluit, Nunavik, QC, is a versatile artist known for her accomplishments as a musician, filmmaker, and writer. Since 1998, she has been a prominent figure in the music industry, starting with her band Taima and later pursuing a successful solo career in Montreal, QC. Elisapie skillfully incorporates English, French, and Inuktitut into her music, reflecting her rich cultural heritage.

In 2005, Elisapie won the Juno Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year. Her contributions to film and television soundtracks as a writer, singer, and composer have also been recognized, including a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Song for Far Away from the film The Legend of Sarila (2013), and the Eval-Manigat prize from the SPACQ Foundation in the Multicultural Song category in 2012.

Beyond music and film, Elisapie received the Ambassador Prize at the 2011 Teweikan Awards for her impactful activism and artistic contributions across Canada. In 2019, her album Ballad of the Runaway Girl received a Juno Award nomination and was shortlisted for the Polaris Prize, underscoring her enduring influence in the music industry.

Her latest album, Inuktitut (2023), features reinterpretations of songs from the ’60s to the ’90s performed in her native Inuktitut language. Elisapie views language as a conduit for storytelling and emotional expression. She bridges cultural gaps by translating popular songs into Inuktitut, blending contemporary music with her ancestral language as a method of healing. Elisapie’s advocacy for Indigenous rights and cultural preservation resonates throughout her artistic endeavors, amplifying the voices and narratives of her nation. Inuktitut represents a profound exploration of popular music reimagined through an Indigenous lens, showcasing resilience and creativity. Elisapie’s impact extends beyond music, embodying a spirit of cultural pride and empowerment that resonates globally.

Tanya Tagaq

Tanya Tagaq is a truly unique artist whose goal is to share and teach musical art that holds significant meaning in non-verbal communication within Indigenous Nations. Tanya Tagaq has made an indelible mark on the global music stage as a pioneering Inuk throat singer and artist. Known for her intense and visceral performances that transcend cultural boundaries, Tagaq has captivated audiences worldwide—from opera theater to theater screens

Tanya Tagaq’s musical journey features groundbreaking collaborations with Björk on the album Medúlla (2004) and performances alongside the Kronos Quartet and Shooglenifty. Her debut album, Sinaa (2005), earned acclaim at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, winning Best Producer/Engineer, Best Album Design, and Best Female Artist. This marked the beginning of a string of accolades, including Juno nominations, celebrating her innovative approach to traditional Inuit art forms.

Continuing to push artistic boundaries, Tagaq composed the theme music for CBC’s Arctic Air in 2012 and released her acclaimed third album, Animism (2014), winning the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and the Juno Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year. Her subsequent album, Retribution (2016), further solidified her reputation as an artist unafraid to tackle challenging themes.

Tagaq’s recent projects include her fifth album, Tongues (2022), inspired by her novel Split Tooth, featuring collaborations that push sound and narrative boundaries. She continues to contribute to the arts through film collaborations, including the documentary Ever Deadly (2022). 

Ruby Waters

Ruby Waters is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and introspective songwriting. Hailing from Tkaronto, Ontario, Waters blends indie rock, pop, and soul influences to create emotive music that resonates deeply with her audience.

As an independent artist, Ruby has garnered over 50 million streams across her singles and two EPs, Almost Naked (2019) and If It Comes Down To It (2020). She was also nominated for a JUNO Award for Alternative Artist of the Year in 2022. Ruby thrives on touring and has sold-out headline shows across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the UK.

Her debut EP, If It Comes Down to It (2019), received acclaim for its raw emotion and captivating storytelling. Waters explores themes of personal growth, relationships, introspection, and emotional experiences in her music. Tracks like Quantum Physics reflect her journey of self-discovery and navigating life’s complexities with honesty and vulnerability.