Miles Morrisseau
ICT
There is something about Christmas music — sometimes it’s a little too early or a little too familiar. Maybe it’s time to freshen up your Christmas playlist.
Here is a list of Indigenous Christmas songs from a variety of genres — country, folk, traditional, gospel, love songs and children’s songs. Many Indigenous artists use the familiar melody and lyrics of classic Christmas carols to celebrate and preserve their language.
ICT hopes this Indigenous Christmas playlist will lift up spirits during the holiday season.
William Prince
‘Sound of Christmas’
A multi-award winning artist from Peguis First Nation, William Prince has reached numerous heights on his journey from the rez to stages around the world. He has won Juno Awards, Canadian Country Music Awards and performed at the Grand Old Opry and at the Tiny Desk. He is well known for his love of classic country and gospel music. Prince released “Sound of Christmas” in 2024, an EP that included cover songs and the original title track. The song swings and is a showcase for Prince’s deep baritone and songwriting skills, creating familiar images. Prince begins a North American tour in the new year with dates across California, Nevada, South Carolina, Florida and more before returning to Canada to tour until spring.
Falynn Baptiste
‘What Child is This?’
Originally released in 2012 as a single, “What Child is This?” is a lovely rendition of the Christmas carol sung in Cree by Falynn Baptiste. The song, along with a number of other traditional classics, was released on the full album, “Kimâmawi-Pimohtânaw,” in 2021. Baptiste, Nehiyah/Cree, continues to follow her musical dreams. In 2023, she was selected Female Artist of the Year at the annual Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards. You can find her music on her website.
Mike Bern
‘Christmas on the Rez’
The Wolastoqiyik artist from Tobique First Nation has a modern classic with “Christmas on the Rez.” This one hit the spot. Honestly, I thought it was going to be filled with a bunch of corny lines. Even the video with Bern doing doughnuts on a four-wheeler in front of what I assume is the band office points to a song that is going for the laughs. It’s not; it is so sincere. It is filled with warmth for the community and the season. You have to love that spirit. People loving one another. It’s that special time of year. It’s Christmas on The Rez.
Beatrice Deer
‘Christmas’
The album, “Shifting,” was released in 2021 by Beatrice Deer, Mohawk/Inuk, and is largely performed in the Inukititut language. The album features supporting musicians from the alternative music scene, including members of Stars and Besnard Lakes. Originally from Quaktaq, Nunavik and now calling Montreal home, Deer has a haunting sound that is reflective of her northern life on the land with a techno influence that hints at the isolation of life in contemporary cities. Christmas is a falling-in-love song with lyrics translating into, “It was Christmas when I met you. When all the people were dancing.”
Susan Aglukark
‘Silent Night’
Known as the Arctic Rose, Inuit singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark has always sung with a voice that is both gentle and seriously intense. She has carried the mantle not just as Canada’s most successful Inuit artist but also one of Canada’s most accomplished musical artists. She has released 10 albums in her career including the triple platinum, “This Child,” in 1995. “Silent Night” is from her 2013 recording, “Dreaming of Home.”
Don Amero
‘Christmas (Please Come Home)”
Métis/Cree singer/songwriter Don Amero has been celebrating his own version of a Christmas concert for many years. He has been hosting an annual Christmas variety show, “Amero Little Christmas,” since 2009. In 2018, he released “Amero Little Christmas,” an album that is filled with holiday classics. The song “Christmas (Please Come Home)” was made famous by Darlene Love and appeared on the 1963 release of “A Christmas Gift to You,” from Phil Spector. Amero performed the show during this year’s holiday season in Winnipeg, Winkler, Brandon and Pinawa.
Tom Jackson
‘The Huron Carole’
Tom Jackson has been putting on The Huron Carole concert for 38 years, raising money and spirits during what can be one of the more trying times of the year. Proceeds from The Huron Carole aid the Canadian Red Cross in its efforts to relieve human suffering wherever it may be found. The member of the One Arrow Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, Jackson has been an artist and activist for her entire career. In addition to his music, Jackson was the star of “North of 60,” one of Canada’s longest-running dramas about Indigenous peoples. He is currently co-starring in the show, “Sullivan’s Crossing.” along with Andrea Menard, Métis, who made a special appearance at this year’s performance of The Huron Carole in Nova Scotia. Jackson has released a couple of CDs from the event, including “The Huron Carole” released in 1989, “Best of the Huron Carole” in 2000, and “Singing for Supper (Selections for The Huron Carole),” which was released in 2004.
Charlie Panigoniak
‘Jingle Bells (Inuktitut)’
Recorded by the CBC’s northern service, the late Charlie Panigoniak’s recording of “Jingle Bells” in Inuktitut will have you bouncing along like you’re riding in a one-horse open sleigh. Panigoniak’s songs pop with a more professional recording than many other Indigenous tracks from the 1970s. The Inuk singer-songwriter traveled from his home in the north to record three albums in CBC’s studios in Toronto. The recordings of “Just for Kids,” “My Seasons” and “Inuktitut Christmas and Gospel Songs,” have become part of a seasonal soundtrack as well as musical inspiration for other Inuit artists.
Winston Wuttunee
‘My Nokum Gave to Me’
A legendary folk and traditional singer from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Winston Wuttunee has been sharing a positive message of pride in Indigenous identity for generations. His songs often share a childlike joy in the world that resonates to listeners of all ages and fit perfectly into the Christmas spirit. This is his version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” with humorous and heartwarming memories of the gifts his Nokum (Grandmother) gave him. The 85-year-old continues to share his music and stories, and most recently sang opening songs during the Indspire national education conference.