10 Indigenous Artists to Soundtrack Native American Heritage Month
Ronnie Spector
Known as the original “bad girl of rock and roll,” Ronnie Spector was part Cherokee, Irish, and African-American, best known for her tenure as the front-woman of the beloved sister-cousin group The Ronettes. Rising to popularity in the 60s and 70s, they became known for their unique doo-wop, soul, and R&B sound. To date, their most popular song remains “Be My Baby,” which has appeared in countless films and TV shows like Dirty Dancing (1987), Ms. Marvel (2021), and Barbarian (2022). Several of their Christmas covers have also become staples of the holiday season, including “Sleigh Ride” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
Redbone
Formed in 1969 by Pat and Lolly Vasquez-Vegas, Redbone has become one of the most well-known all-Native American rock groups in history. The brothers are of Yaqui, Shoshone, and Mexican heritage, and often paid homage to their ancestries through explorations of R&B, soul, funk, country, tribal, and Latin genres, as well as Cajun and New Orleans culture. Their line-up soon grew to also include drummer Peter DePoe, who is of Southern Cheyenne, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, and Siletz descent, and Robert Anthony Avila, also of Yaqui and Mexican descent. They became best known for their hit single “Come and Get Your Love,” which has similarly played a huge role in pop culture and the entertainment industry. But don’t forget to also listen to their songs “We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee,” The Witch Queen of New Orleans,” and “Maggie.”
Debora Iyall
Debora Iyall is another 70s Indigenous rock icon to know. Of Cowlitz descent, she was the founder and lead singer of the new wave and post-punk (and sometimes dance) band Romeo Void, formed at the tail end of the 1970s. Often compared to Joy Division and Gang of Four, the band was especially popular on college radio stations for their songs “Never Say Never” and “A Girl in Trouble.” After the band’s break-up in 1985, Iyall continued to pursue music, with her songs becoming indicative of 80s pop and rock with layers of synths and vocals on songs like “Strange Language,” “Bring It,” and “Chilly This Evening.” Both as a solo artist and member of Romeo Void, she was hailed for her unique vocal delivery and sharp, edgy lyricism.
The Halluci Nation
Formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, The Halluci Nation is a Canadian group specializing in electronic, dubstep, and dancehall music with drumming and chanting elements of First Nations music. Inspired by Korean and South Asian nightclubs, founding members DJ NDN (Ian Campeau), Bear Witness (Thomas Ehren Ramon), and Dee Jay Frame (Jon Limoges) held in-person dance events to provide a space for Aboriginal youth to hear traditional powwow music mixed with contemporary electronic dance music. They’ve since also incorporated elements of hip-hop, trap, and moombahton. “Burn Your Village to the Ground,” “Sisters,” and “R.E.D.” truly stand alone as Halluci Nation staples guaranteed to get the party started.
OPLIAM
For a more relaxed, soothing vibe, try out music from OPLIAM, a singer-songwriter of Mohawk descent. He primarily creates alternative rock music, similar to the sounds of early 2000s alt-rock, but also has also explored hip-hop, rock and roll, and reggae in previous albums. He’s also a writer and author, having published a nonfiction book for kids about the history of the U.S. from an Indigenous perspective, entitled Indigenous America. To fully dive into OPLIAM, there’s no better starting place than “NDN Boy Blues,” “many ways.,” and “The Great Mystery.”
Sihasin
Consisting of brother and sister Clayson and Jeneda Benally, Sihasin is a punk rock group that pays homage to the duo’s Diné heritage, language, and activism. They sing in English and use heavy drums and guitar, but also incorporate chanting, traditional drums, and Navajo. Inspired by political and forced relocation events in their childhood, the siblings use their music as a means of healing, reconciliation, resistance against oppression, and calls to action and for justice. The best songs to start are “We the People,” “Fight Like a Woman,” and “Shine.”
Raye Zaragoza
Raye Zaragoza is a singer-songwriter of Japanese, Mexican, and Indigenous descent who uses her music as a tool for empowerment, social justice, activism, and intersectional feminism. Though primarily a folk singer with an emphasis on live instrumentation, she also incorporates acoustic pop, indie rock, country, and electronic music to create a stunning, ethereal, and haunting shine to her music. She first became known on the world stage in 2016 for her song “In the River,” which was written in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Other good places to start in her discography include “Place to Call Home,” “He Calls Me River,” “Into the Wild,” and “The It Girl.”
Black Belt Eagle Scout
Also known as Katherine Paul, Black Belt Eagle Scout is a singer-songwriter and musician of Swinomish and Iñupiaq descent. Often compared to Nirvana, she explores alternative and indie rock with heavy bass, guitar, and drums while also incorporating traditional Native American music, including Coast Salish. As a queer Indigenous artist, she often touches on topics of gender, sexuality, grief, relationships, healing, spirituality, politics, and social justice issues throughout her work. For example, her song “Indians Never Die,” off her album Mother of My Children (2018), was a response to the Dakota Access Pipeline, as well as gentrification in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Other good songs to check out include “My Blood Runs Through This Land,” “At the Party,” and “Sam, A Dream.”
Sky Ferreira
Part Chippewa Cree, singer-songwriter and model Sky Ferreira rose to prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s with her songs “Obsession” and “Sex Rules.” She has become known for her pop music, which has also fused elements of indie rock, electronic, folk, country, and 80s dance-pop. Her lyrics often explore heartbreak, romance, and rebellion. Her most popular song to date is “Everything is Embarrassing,” but other possible tracks to check out include “Don’t Forget,” “Lost In My Bedroom,” and “Sad Dream.”
Samantha Crain
As a songwriter, vocalist, musician, and producer, multi-talented Choctaw Nation artist Samantha Crain is not a name to miss. She is known for her folk-rock and alt-indie music, which also has influences in Americana. Her vocals are truly haunting, backed by a folk-rock track that’s reminiscent of the late 90s and early 2000s, and would undoubtedly have a place in any indie film. Essential tracks to check out are “Bloomsday,” “Holding to the Edge of Night,” and “Pick Apart.”