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
