Name five Indigenous musicians. Can’t? Me neither. Although music was, and still is, an essential part of daily life and the backbone of spiritual, cultural and kinship beliefs, we don’t often hear it on our radio stations. Each of the indigenous communities has its own unique musical traditions so the spectrum is very broad. I find it hard to believe that there isn’t a single song that’s better than Billie Eilish’s newest single. So why not broaden your playlists and act a little less white for a change?
This issue is important to address because I believe that music is one of the best ways to connect with someone and truly understand one’s feelings and emotions. Most people don’t seem to fully understand the pain and suffering the Indigenous people felt for decades during the colonization. I think that we as a community would benefit from understanding the Indigenous communities better and therefore get closer to becoming one progressive and respectful society.