A Playlist to Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day

A powerful mix of voices and visions, this Indigenous playlist showcases artists blending tradition, activism, and genre-defying sound.

As National Indigenous Peoples Day approaches on June 21, it’s a chance to reflect, learn, and celebrate the music and stories of Indigenous artists across Canada. One of the most powerful ways to do that is through song—and this year’s curated playlist brings together some of the most compelling voices in the country.

Spanning genres from folk and blues to electronic and hard rock, each track is a window into lived experience, identity, resistance, and joy. These aren’t just songs; they’re testaments to cultural resilience, personal expression, and musical innovation.

Here’s a closer look at the artists and the tracks that make up this powerful listening experience:

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1. “Electric Pow Wow Drum” – The Halluci Nation

This groundbreaking track from the duo formerly known as A Tribe Called Red is a cornerstone of the pow wow step genre. With its thundering bass, chant vocals, and hypnotic rhythm, Electric Pow Wow Drum became a cultural moment—one that blends traditional Indigenous sound with modern electronic production.

The Halluci Nation, made up of Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas and Tim “2oolman” Hill, champions Indigenous futurism and activism, and this song remains one of their most iconic.

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2. “The Spark" – William Prince

This gentle, reflective ballad focuses on resilience, quiet love, and the moments that light the way forward. With warm acoustic guitar and Prince’s steady baritone, The Spark is both grounding and uplifting.

Hailing from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, William Prince has become one of Canada’s most respected singer-songwriters, celebrated for his introspective lyrics and strong connection to home.

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3. “Politician” – Adrian Sutherland

With Politician, Adrian Sutherland leans into gritty rock to deliver a punchy, satirical critique of political games and broken promises. The song is direct and unflinching, with a classic rock edge and lyrics that pull no punches.

Sutherland is a Cree singer-songwriter from Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario. A former frontman of Midnight Shine, his solo work carries the weight of lived experience and a strong voice for northern and Indigenous issues.

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4. “Back Again” – Julian Taylor

This stripped-down track is about returning home—physically, emotionally, spiritually. The gentle acoustic guitar and Taylor’s worn-in voice create a warm, nostalgic mood that’s both personal and universal.

Taylor, who is of Mohawk and Caribbean ancestry, has earned acclaim for his solo album The Ridge, which mixes folk, Americana, and soul with rich storytelling.

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5. "Long Way Down" – iskwē x Tom Wilson 
A haunting, blues-tinged track that explores pain, survival, and the long road to healing. Long Way Down blends iskwē’s ethereal vocals with Wilson’s gravelly tone, creating a powerful contrast that underscores the song’s emotional weight.

iskwē, of Cree and Métis heritage, teams up with Mohawk musician Tom Wilson in this collaboration that brings together two distinct voices grounded in truth, experience, and cultural memory.

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6. “Running Like a River” – Logan Staats

This track flows with emotional intensity, weaving together themes of love, loss, and renewal. With gentle acoustic guitar and Staats’ unmistakable voice, Running Like a River feels both intimate and expansive, like a story being passed down.

A Mohawk musician from Six Nations of the Grand River, Staats rose to fame after winning CTV’s The Launch and continues to use his voice to advocate for Indigenous youth and strength within his community.

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7. “The Devil is a Blue-eyed Man” – Celeigh Cardinal

With a smouldering groove and sharp lyricism, this track cuts deep. Celeigh Cardinal delivers a soulful, bluesy performance that calls out manipulation and reckons with hard truths about trust, power, and identity.

A Métis artist from Alberta, Cardinal is known for her powerhouse vocals and fearless songwriting. The Devil is a Blue-Eyed Man is a standout that showcases both her range and resolve.

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8. “Rescue” – Leela Gilday

Rescue is a powerful anthem about vulnerability, strength, and reaching out when the weight gets too heavy. Gilday’s voice moves from tender to fierce as the track builds, layered with steady drums and driving guitars that echo the urgency of its message.

A member of the Dene Nation from Yellowknife, Gilday is known for her deeply personal songwriting and commanding voice. Rescue stands out as both a personal plea and a broader call for connection and healing.

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9. “Got It Bad” – Shawnee Kish

Got It Bad leans into a gritty, blues-rock groove, with Kish’s powerhouse vocals front and centre. The track is about desire, heartbreak, and knowing your worth, delivered with raw intensity and swagger.

A Two-Spirit Mohawk artist, Kish uses her music to explore identity and emotion. With Got It Bad, she shows her range—not just as a vocalist, but as a fearless storyteller.

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10. “These Hands” – Digging Roots

These Hands is a soulful anthem that honours the strength, stories, and survival carried through generations. Built on a steady groove and rich vocal layers, it’s both a love song and a call to action.

Led by Anishinabe partners ShoShona and Raven Kanatakta, Digging Roots blend roots, blues, and Indigenous traditions to create music grounded in land, liberation, and lived experience.

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11. “Grace Too” – Twin Flames

This striking bilingual rendition of Grace Too by The Tragically Hip blends English and Cree, adding emotional depth and a haunting atmosphere. Twin Flames stay true to the spirit of the original while weaving in their own perspective and cultural narrative.

Chelsey June (Métis) and Jaaji (Inuk, Mohawk) are the voices behind Twin Flames, known for their rich harmonies, commitment to Indigenous language revitalization, and purposeful songwriting. Their version of the Canadian classic reimagines it with fresh meaning and heart.

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12. “White Buffalo” – Crown Lands

This prog-rock epic draws from Indigenous mythology and history to tell a tale of power and transformation. The soaring vocals and intricate guitar work echo the spirit of classic rock giants while staying rooted in the present.

Crown Lands, made up of Cody Bowles (Mi’kmaq, Two-Spirit) and Kevin Comeau, are pushing the limits of rock music in Canada. White Buffalo is part protest, part spiritual call-to-arms.

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You can hear many of these artists and more on Station to Nation, the area's only Indigenous music show, hosted by Joyce Jonathan Crone on The Bay 88.7. Airing weekly on Wednesday’s at 9pm, it’s a space where stories are told in full colour and where Indigenous voices take the lead.

Whether you’re exploring these tracks for the first time or returning to old favourites, this playlist is more than a soundtrack—it’s a celebration of identity, survival, and song.

Turn it up, and let the voices carry you.

Sources:

•          CBC Music

•          JunoAwards.ca

•          Exclaim! Magazine

•          Artist interviews and official websites