Since time immemorial, Indigenous people have connected to the land; an inspirational source for music. Traditional songs have come about from dreams, ceremonies, listening to nature, prayer and life experiences.

For many nations music is believed to be sacred, primarily for its purpose; songs  are gifts for celebration, to honour, to ultimately connect to spirit. In spite of failed colonial attempts (i.e. residential schools) to silence Indigenous voices, traditional music is thriving  today. Contemporary artists have also adopted many musical styles to speak up  against injustices, dispossession, and have used music as a form of resistance. Many  artists have also shared unique cultural histories, perspectives and  languages. In doing so, Indigenous artists have fostered dialogues and understanding which have and continue to  radically shift  the Canadian paradigm  of whom First Nation, Métis and Inuit  people are. Speak  Up! will showcase an annual selection of First Nation, Métis and Inuit artists from across Canada who have left their mark on culture through music.

Curator's Introduction

Click here for a text transcription.

Speak Up! is curated by David McLeod (member of the Pine Creek First Nation, MB), Indigenous programming consultant.

• Buffy Sainte-Marie

  

  Buffy Sainte-Marie is a living legend, and a tireless advocate for Indigenous rights and freedoms. She is an innovative artist, an educator, and a disruptor of the status quo who is always moving herself and society forward...(read more)

• John Arcand

  

  John Arcand is a master of traditional Métis fiddling. He has dedicated his life to being an educator, performer, and advocate of Métis culture; to promote and popularize a rich musical heritage...(read more)

• Willie Dunn

  

  
  Singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and political activist Willie Dunn was an uncompromising force in Canadian folk music... (read more)
  

• Dr. Duke Redbird

  

  
  Dr. Duke Redbird, Elder, Wisdom Keeper, activist, educator, and artist... (read more)

• Tanya Tagaq

  

  
  Tanya Tagaq is an award-winning Inuk throat singer, visual artist and best-selling author from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut... (read more)

• Seventh Fire

  

  
  Seventh Fire was an eclectic rock band formed in Ottawa in 1989... (read more)

• Leonard Sumner

  

  
  Anishinaabe MC/Singer/Songwriter Leonard Sumner's storytelling originates and flows from the shores of his homeland known as the Little Saskatchewan First Nation located in Treaty 2 Territory... (read more)

• Northern Cree

  

  
  The Northern Cree Singers are an acclaimed powwow group, founded in 1982 by brothers Steve, Earl and Randy Wood from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta... (read more)

• War Party

  

  
  Hailing from Maskwacis, Alberta, War Party was a groundbreaking Cree group with a long-standing legacy in Canada’s hip-hop scene... (read more)

• Jeremy Dutcher

  

  
  Classically trained vocalist and musician Jeremy Dutcher creates music that stretches across a century of history... (read more)

• iskwē

  

  
  Electronic trip-hop singer-songwriter iskwē sparks dialogue with her politically-charged lyrics and outspoken stances on topics ranging from pipelines to suicide prevention... (read more)

• Alanis Obomsawin

  

  
  Alanis Obomsawin is a celebrated singer-songwriter, director and activist... (read more)

• Kinnie Starr

  

  
  Kinnie Starr is a genre-defying, Calgary born and raised, mixed-blood European/Mohawk artist blazing an influential trail... (read more)

• Charlie Panigoniak

  

  
  Charlie Panigoniak (ᓵᓕ ᐸᓂᒍᓂᐊᖅ), recipient of the Order of Nanavut, was a groundbreaking Inuk guitarist/singer-songwriter/storyteller who many northerners consider to be "the father of Inuktitut music"... (read more)
  

• Northern Haze

  

  
  Founders of Inuktitut rock, Northern Haze trace their beginnings to the mid-seventies, when bandmates Kolitalik Inukshuk, Naisana Qamaniq, James Ungalaq, Elijah Kunnuk and John Inooya bonded over gritty rock music in their small Arctic village, Igloolik, Nanavut... (read more)

Thank You

With great appreciation
Artists and artist management for their contributions to the exhibition
National Music Centre Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee (more info)

Design and Development
Curated by David McLeod
Original Speak Up! design by Tim Neal (The Engagement Party)

Ongoing updates of Speak Up! are proudly supported by