Today, June 21, is National Aboriginal Day, a day to celebrate the culture and contributions of the First Peoples of Canada to our country. In honour of this day, CBC Music looks at the offerings Aboriginal musicians are making to our collective culture. 

From hip-hop and hand drums, to roots and rock, to powwow and pop, artists like A Tribe Called Red, Derek Miller, Kinnie Starr, Tanya Tagaq, Ghostkeeper, Don Amero, Bruthers of Different Muthers and Murray Porter are getting noticed by non-Aboriginal listeners. Let’s face it, good music transcends boundaries, but these artists also know and embrace their heritage, which is reflected in their music. 

A decade ago, artists like the ones listed were struggling for Canada-wide recognition. Now, there are two national music award shows: the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards and the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, not to mention the Native American Music Awards in the U.S.

There is also Aboriginal Music Week, now in its fourth year. It's a weeklong music festival each November in Winnipeg that features artists from across Turtle Island (you might know it as North America). There are also several Aboriginal music stations that can now be heard in cities like Winnipeg, Edmonton and Toronto, and right here on CBC Music is our own Aboriginal genre stream.

Métis leader and the founder of Manitoba, Louis Riel, said, “My people will sleep for 100 years, and it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.” That reclamation is happening now in cities, towns, reserves and settlements across the country. Are you ready?

PLAY

Listen to "Stand" by Indian City.

 

Genres across CBC Music are celebrating Aboriginal artists in honour of National Aboriginal Day. Read more below.

Aboriginal: 9 musicians you didn't know were Aboriginal

Radio 2: Canadian Aboriginal music refines the medium, and the message

Radio 3: Meet Elisapie Isaac, the boundary crossing singer-songwriter

Rock/Pop: 5 Aboriginal pop and rock artists to watch for in 2012

Classical: Native inspiration: 5 Canadian classics on Aboriginal themes

Singer-songwriter: Cherie Dimaline’s top 5 Aboriginal songwriters playlist

World: Cellist Cris Derksen, rising star on her own scene

R&B: Inez Jasper readies for her biggest show yet

Blues: The Dusty Roads Band blues salute to National Aboriginal Day

Electronic: 5 Aboriginal electronic acts to watch for in 2012

Country: Q&A: Don Amero is having his best year so far

 

posted by Kim Wheeler on Jun 21, 2012