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Contemporary Music by Indigenous Peoples of North America

Guide for music by Indigenous Peoples of North America, community resources, and Indigenous research methodologies

Local Community Organizations

UNT Native American Student Association (NASA)

"We are the Native American Student Association of UNT, aiming to foster a dialogue between Native American and indigenous students and the greater UNT community about issues affecting native lives and our communities. Everyone is welcome to attend and communicate in meetings."


Indigenous Institute of the Americas

"OUR PURPOSE – To promote and share the similarities and differences comprising the traditional cultures of indigenous people in the Americas before and since 1492. MISSION – To cultivate awareness of the Indigenous people of the Americas. VISION –  A world that understands, values, respects, and celebrates Indigenous culture and perspective of the Americas."


Intertribal Community Council of Texas

"Our organization seeks to positively represent, respond to, address and educate the community and organizations about issues and relevant concerns, which directly affect the quality of life and impact the cultural uniqueness of Native People. As a result, increased awareness and understanding, enhanced community involvement, collaboration of resources, and a unified effort will allow our organization to provide solutions, to create programs, initiatives, and activities to effectively meet the economic, medical, social, cultural, and educational needs of the Native community."


Texas Native Health

"Texas Native Health is an Urban Indian Organization offering accessible and culturally sensitive services to address the diverse needs of Native Americans in Texas. We believe in building a stronger, healthier future for our community by providing essential services and cultivating a sense of fellowship and belonging. Texas Native Health is more than an organization; it’s a community! We provide a space where Native Americans can ask for help, find fellowship, and embark on a journey toward healthier, more fulfilling lives. Join us at Texas Native Health as we strive to make a positive impact, one life at a time. Together, let’s build a healthier and stronger future for the Native American community in Texas!"


Decolonizing the Music Room

"Decolonizing the Music Room centers Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian (BBIA) voices in music education, research, and performance by providing training and educational content to pre-service and practicing educators and creating community programming for people of all ages. DTMR engages across the disciplines of music education, music performance, ethnomusicology, music therapy, music theory, history, and ethnic studies to disrupt the minimization and erasure of racially minoritized identities and build a more equitable future."

Finding Recordings and Musicians

Record Labels

Indian House

"Founded in 1966 by Tony Isaacs and Ida Lujan, Indian House Music is a recording studio which specializes in recordings of traditional and powwow Native American music. Indian House Music is based in Taos, New Mexico in the foothills of the picturesque Rocky Mountains and in the ancestral lands of the Tewa speaking Taos Pueblo People. We have a proud history of over 57 years of recording and a reputation as a label committed to respectful, selective, high-quality recordings of traditional American Indian music."

Ishkōdé Records

"Custodians of song and story, Ishkōdé Records was launched on June 24, 2021. The Indigenous women-owned label is helmed by ShoShona Kish (Ojibwe, Anishinaabe) and Amanda Rheaume (Citizen of Métis Nation of Ontario), founders of the International Indigenous Music Summit. Ishkode Records distribution partner is Universal Music Canada."

Red Music Rising

"Launched in August 2020 in partnership with APTN, Red Music Rising is a holistic music company. A full-service artist management company and record label, owned and managed entirely by Indigenous individuals, with a mission to help develop robust, sustainable, life-long careers for Indigenous artists and industry professionals."

Sweet Grass Records

"Established in 1993, Sweet Grass Records promotes and distributes recordings of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal music throughout Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Associated with Buffy Sainte-Marie, Whitefish Juniors, Stoney Park and Red Bull; five Juno nominations to date (won for work with Buffy Sainte-Marie). Nominated and winner of numerous Native American Music Awards and Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. EMI Music of Canada distributes its products worldwide."

Wild Saguaro Records

"Wild Saguaro Records is a Navajo-owned independent record label based in Phoenix, Arizona. Our focus is promoting music of all genres being created within the Native American community. Whether it's traditional, classical, R&B, rock, heavy metal, or anything else, we aim to release the very best music that Native America has to offer."

Silver Wave Records

"Welcome to Silver Wave 'one of the most storied record labels in the history of New Age and Native American music' based in Boulder, Colorado since 1986.  We invite you to explore the timeless music in our award winning catalog with artists such as Peter Kater & R. Carlos Nakai, Mary Youngblood, Joanne Shenandoah, Robert Mirabal, and many more."

Canyon Records

"Canyon Records of Phoenix, Arizona, producer and distributor of Native American music, is one of the oldest independent record labels in the music industry as well as one of the oldest cultural institutions in the state of Arizona."


Digital Libraries/Databases

Drum Hop (Digital Library)

"The focus of this site is American Indian music. Here you will find the largest online library of old music recordings. Drumhop also offers the most complete pow wow listings for Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas and Canada."

Heard Museum Native American Artists Resource Collection Online 

Type "music" in keyword search to find about 400 musician records; not an exhaustive list of Native musicians.

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Library of Congress (using keyword search)


Media

Nikamowin 

"Nikamowin is the streaming platform for discovering and listening to music by Indigenous artists. An exceptional window for emerging artists as well as established artists from Canada and abroad, it features music of all genres."

Indigenous in Music Podcast with Larry K

"Join Larry every week as he brings you live interviews and a mix of new music from our Indigenous musicians from around the Western Hemisphere, a variety of rock, pop, country, flute, salsa, classical, house and electronica."

Indigenous Music Countdown

Indigenous Music Countdown is a radio show that highlights Indigenous music; it is featured on SiriusXM and various radio stations, mostly in Canada. Website includes list of past featured top 40 countdown lists.