Indigenous Band Songs That Will Inspire You

From hip hop to hand drums, Indigenous music is a musical experience unlike any other. It delivers powerful messages wrapped up in danceable, grooving rhythms that put a spring in your step.

Mato Nanji and his siblings formed their band Indigenous while in their late teens. Their debut album Things We Do was released in 1998 and their title track’s video was directed by Chris Eyre, who also made the award winning Native American film Smoke Signals.

“America the Beautiful” by Jody Brown Indian Family

With a soulful voice and a heartfelt message, Jody Brown Indian Family delivers an uplifting song that will inspire you. The band’s music blends traditional and contemporary elements to create a unique sound that captures the hearts of listeners worldwide.

This song is a beautiful tribute to the beauty and strength of America. Its lyrics explore the importance of preserving one’s cultural heritage and fighting for the rights of others. The band’s acoustic guitar melody and simple drum beat set the perfect tone for this powerful song.

Jody Brown is a renowned indigenous musician and songwriter from Saskatchewan, Canada. His music is influenced by his cultural heritage and personal experiences, creating soul-stirring compositions that touch the heart of listeners worldwide. Brown’s virtuosity on the sitar, a traditional Indian stringed instrument, mesmerizes listeners with his intricate raga-based pieces. He is also a prolific artist, public speaker, and philanthropist. His activism around the Trans Mountain pipeline calls out environmental racism and highlights the need for Indigenous peoples to stand up for their rights and sovereignty.

“Native Blood” by Testament

The song “Native Blood” from San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal legends Testament tells the story of an indigenous youth growing up in a society ravaged by racism. The young man finds strength through his roots and nature and ultimately becomes a powerful warrior.

Songwriter Amanda Rheaume is a member of the Metis Nation who works tirelessly to promote indigenous music and raise awareness about important issues. This track, from her album Zhawenim, is a literal “fuck you” to centuries of oppression—along with a promise that better days are coming.

The Nakota band Indigenous is a family of three brothers and two sisters who started playing together as kids on South Dakota’s Yankton Indian Reservation. Their father, Greg Zephier—who was a blues musician himself in the ’60s and ’70s and later became a spokesperson for Native American rights—provided his children with the musical inspiration that led them to form their award-winning group in 1998. The band’s debut album Things We Do was a hit, and the title track’s video won an honor from B.B. King and was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.

“215” by Atsiaktonkie

Native American music has become more than just a form of expression. It is now used as a tool to raise awareness about issues affecting indigenous communities. Bands like Pete Sands & the Drifters use their music to help bring attention to issues such as the missing and murdered indigenous women epidemic.

The band, Indigenous, features Mato Nanji (Mah-TOE non-GEE) on vocals and guitar. The two-time Nammy award winner and his band expertly fuses folk-rock with the sounds of Akwesasne/Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) culture. The result is an eclectic blend of soulful offerings that will take listeners on a spiritual journey.

The lead guitarist, Levi, has the natural talent to slide across the stage with power chords that will have audiences captivated. His sound is reminiscent of classic rockers such as Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix.

“Warrior” by War Party

Powered by transpersonal rage and aimed with elucidated anger, this song screams “the time for mere exposure of social evil is over.” It is the moment to strike back. “Warrior” is the anthem of the Kalika War Party Movement.

The group consists of brothers Mato Nanji (‘mah-TOE non-GEE’ vocals, guitar), Pte (‘peh-TAY’ bass guitar), and sister Wanbdi (‘wan-ba-DEE’ drums). Their father Greg Zephier was a musician in the ’60s and ’70s and later became a spokesperson for Native American rights. His musical influence shaped the group.

Originally from Canada, singer/songwriter Amanda Rheaume is an important voice in Indigenous music. She has released five full-length albums, and her 2013 album Keep a Fire was nominated for a JUNO Award. She is committed to raising Indigenous sovereignty in the music industry.

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Where Does the Word Indian Come From?

Many people wonder what the most appropriate and respectful term is for describing Indigenous Nations, communities and individuals. Unfortunately, there is no one answer that fits all situations.

Many Indigenous people object to the use of the word Indian, which derives from Christopher Columbus’ mistaken belief that he had arrived in India. The more accurate term Aboriginal peoples is preferred by some.

Origins

Indian is a term that refers to people from India or its neighbouring countries. It first appeared in English as a geographical name in the late 1400s when Christopher Columbus thought he had reached Asia and named indigenous people Indians, or Indios.

Indian has also been used to describe the cultural heritage of many indigenous communities and is a source of a number of English words such as dungarees, avatar, jungle, tank, shampoo and roti. It is also the basis of some of the names of places in Canada and elsewhere, including New York, North Carolina, South Dakota and Alberta.

However, some Indigenous communities have a preference for other terms to refer to them. This is because the word Indian can have negative connotations for them and it may not reflect their own identity. In some cases, they use the term Native to confirm their heritage and legal identities that are set out in the Indian Act of Canada.

Meaning

The word Indian can have negative connotations for some Native peoples. Some prefer to use other terms, such as indigena (Indigenous), comunidad (community), or pueblo.

In many Indian communities, there are strong ties of mutual dependency and support among family members. Traditionally, extended families live together in clusters called villages or towns. These are typically surrounded by fields and forests, with family members taking turns to tend the land and providing food for the group.

There are over 566 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and each has a distinct culture. Many American Indians describe themselves by both their tribal name and nation, because Europeans often distorted their native names or renamed them with their own. Some people have a dual status as citizens of the United States and members of a tribe, and each has its own laws. This can lead to conflicting rules and obligations. Some tribal governments do not recognize citizenship by birth and require registration to qualify for benefits.

Etymology

Indian is a word with many meanings. It is also the name of a country and a language. It is often used in English, but it has many other uses as well. It is a part of the vocabulary of many languages, including Hindi and Telugu. It is used in the names of places in India, such as Delhi and Mumbai. It is also a common ingredient in the names of foods, such as chutney and roti. It is also used to describe the culture and traditions of India.

The term ‘Indian’ is problematic for some peoples, such as the Cherokee nation, who were called Indians during their removal in 1830s and 1840s under the Indian Removal Act of the United States. Most Native Americans prefer to be called by their specific tribal names, which themselves may carry connotations. However, the generic terms such as American Indian or Native American are widely accepted in a legal context in the US.

Usage

Indian is still used as an identifier for indigenous peoples in North America, though less frequently than in the past. In Canada, terms like Indigenous and Aboriginal are generally considered more politically correct than Indian in references to indigenous peoples as a whole.

The word Indian is also still used in Southeast Asia, where it has the Sanskrit alias of Jambu Dvipa (lit. berry island). In Korea and Vietnam, it is known as An Do or Indo.

The word Indian is a misleading term for indigenous peoples of North America, but it is difficult to change the term once it has entered popular culture. Many activists have sought to replace the term with more accurate ones, such as Native American and First Nations. However, it is not clear whether these alternative terms will gain traction in the long run. Ultimately, it is up to indigenous peoples themselves to decide how they want to be referred to.

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