Oct. 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Created in 1992 as a counter-celebration to the 500th anniversary celebration of Christopher Columbus “discovering” the Americas, the holiday has since become an official holiday via proclamation. The holiday seeks to highlight the cultures of Native Americans that have long been suppressed by other governments.

While much of society views their musical landscape entirely as old folk songs, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Today, we celebrate this holiday with a playlist of contemporary Indigenous American artists and some of their works. 

The following artists are featured in this playlist: 

Aysanabee – Oji-Cree

Cassidy Mann – Anishinaabe

ÎVA – Greenlandic

Riit – Inuit

Hataalii – Diné

Lido Pimienta – Wayuu

Kalani Pe’a – Native Hawaiian

Renata Flores – Quecha

Sebastian Gaskin – Cree

Jayli Wolf – Salteau First Nation

Morgan Toney – Mi’kmaq

Laura Niquay – Atikamekw

Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik

Beatrice Deer – Inuk/Mohawk

Digawolf – Tłı̨chǫ

Burnstick – Cree/Métis

OPLIAM – Mohawk

Pamyua – Yup’ik

Cary Morin – Crow

Mimi O’Bonsawin – Abenaki

Black Belt Eagle Scout – Swinomish/Iñupiat