Miles Morrisseau
ICT
Valentine’s Day hits during the coldest time of year, so here is a selection of Indigenous songs that can help warm your heart during the middle of winter.
Some on the list are brand new tracks, one is a jazz classic, one is in the Cherokee language, and one is about the unconditional love that a mother has for her child. The songs — traditional, contemporary or a combination of both — express the evolution of Indigenous music.
And then, of course, some are all-time classics.
‘Body to Body’
Siibii and Aysanabee
This is a gorgeous collaboration between two artists who have just been nominated for Juno Awards – the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys. Aysanabee, Sandy Lake Cree Nation, is a past award winner and is up for two awards this year. Siibii is an emerging artist from Mistissini Cree Nation, and she is up for her first award. This soulful, sexy song expresses a deep longing that is as much spiritual as it is physical.
Your love is like medicine.
‘I Hope You Know’
Supaman featuring Ashley Hall
Supaman is an Apsáalooke rapper and fancy war dancer who grew up in Crow Agency, Montana. Mixing techno dance beats with traditional round dance singing to create a heartfelt mélange of past and present, the video of the song expresses the unwavering love of a mother for her child. The song is available on Supaman’s 2021 release, “Medicine Bundle.”
I hope you know, I never want to see you go.
‘Lovesick Blues’
Derek Miller
Derek Miller, Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River, wields his guitar with fire on many of the bluesy and rocking tracks from his extensive repertoire. This song has him using that six string as a percussion instrument, bringing an electric drum beat to this track.
Whenever I’m away from you, I always get these Lovesick Blues.
‘Lover come back to me’
Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey, Coeur d’Alene Reservation, was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time, earning the nickname, “The Queen of Swing.” She recorded with Paul Whiteman and the Dorsey Brothers, and her beautiful soprano and innovative phrasing was an influence to jazz icons like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and others.
This eager heart of mine was singing, Lover come back to me
‘You made me feel so good’
Big River Cree
Speaking of spiritual and soulful, it is hard to match the resonance of the broken heart expressed by this round dance by Big River Cree. Round-dance songs are able to blend the traditional with the contemporary to create a one-of-a-kind musical experience. This song is sung with a sadness mixed with that unstoppable drum that lifts you up and will get your feet and your heart moving on.
You made me feel so good. You made me feel like I could do anything
‘Sage my Soul’
Tia Wood
Tia Wood, Saddle Lake Cree Nation, is part of one of the most celebrated and successful Indigenous families in Canada. Her father, Earl Wood, is a founding member of the Northern Cree, a hugely popular powwow group that is also known for its collaborations with contemporary Indigenous music makers like Halluci-Nation and Blue Moon Marquee. Her sister, Fawn Wood, is also an established singer and won a Juno Award for traditional artist of the year in 2022. Tia Wood blends contemporary sounds and soulful lyrics with that heavy big drum keeping the beat in the background of her latest single, “Sage my Soul.”
Burn it to the bottom, because I’m missing every part of you. Sage my Soul.
‘Ginliyosv (Together)’
Agalasiga
This Cherokee singer/songwriter is using his talent to help to revive and celebrate his Indigenous language. Agalasiga works at the Cherokee Immersion Charter School as a language and culture educator, teaching children the language using both traditional and contemporary songs. You don’t need to understand the language in order for the emotion, honesty and love to translate in this song.
I want us to grow old together, like the trees growing on the hill (Translation)
‘Hey Baby’
Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers
Actor, producer and harmonica-blowing front man for his band the Troublemakers, Gary Farmer, Cayuga from Six Nations of the Grand River, continues to tour and record music when isn’t performing in movies and television. This song from his 2022 release, “Road Songs,” is a slow roll about missing the one you love when you are somewhere on the road in the middle of nowhere.
Hey Baby, my baby, I miss you tonight
‘Stardreamer Woman’
John Trudell/Jesse Ed Davis
The album, “AKA Grafitti Man,” was famously called the best album of 1986 by Bob Dylan in Rolling Stone magazine. Trudell, Santee Dakota, rose to fame as the national spokesperson for the American Indian Movement and later became acknowledged as poet, songwriter and performer. Davis, a citizen of the Kiowa Tribe Of Oklahoma, was widely heralded as a session guitarist who played with everyone from Taj Mahal and George Harrison to Rod Stewart. In addition to songs that spoke to Indigenous resistance, oppression and the power of the natural world, there was this honest song about seduction and desire.
Sweetest heart I am ever going to see. Won’t you share your blanket with me
‘The Spark’
William Prince and Serena Ryder
This collaboration between William, Peguis First Nation, and Serena Ryder was recorded live as part of the Juno Awards celebration in 2021. The song is about holding on to your love when you are afraid that you are going to be hurt. Originally recorded by Prince for his 2019 album, “Reliever,” this duo performance elevates the track to another level.
Don’t be afraid of the fire babe, I’ll never let you burn
And don’t forget the classics for Valentine’s Day.
‘Come and Get Your Love’
Redbone with Pat and Lolly Vegas
This song by the iconic band, Redbone, is an undeniable banger that continues to connect with listeners across generations. It is even a hit across the universe, as proven in the Marvel movie, “Guardians of the Galaxy.” This classic by the brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas, of Yaqui/Shoshone descent, is as straightforward as it gets and deserves to be considered the ultimate snagging tune.
Hey (hey) it’s your business if you want some, take some
Get it together, baby
Come and get your love
‘Indian Love Song’
Joanne Shenandoah and A. Paul Ortega
These two Indigenous artists — Joanne Shenandoah, Oneida Nation, and A. Paul Ortega, Mescalero Apache — came together on an album about love that is perfect any time of year. In addition to their unique vocal styles, they accompany each other with their own style of picking, strumming or beating notes of percussion.
“This album is dedicated to all those who are in love, out of love, wanna be in love and dream about love, ” states the album’s liner notes.
There are no other artists listed and what you hear is a live performance of two amazingly talented performers. The songs are spiritual, contemporary, humorous and heartfelt. The opening track sets the stage for the nine tracks to follow. Their guitars and voices are having fun singing a song about two lovers singing by the riverside.
Oh my darling, were you the one by the riverside. Oh my darling, I am sorry that I ran. But my father had other plans
‘Broken Arrow’
Robbie Robertson
In this aching gem from his star-studded debut album, Robbie Robertson,, Mohawk, the founding member and lead songwriter for The Band, burns with desire. The album was produced by Daniel Lanois and had contributions from Bono, Peter Gabriel, The Bodeans, and more. The broken arrow is one of the few uses of Indigenous imagery in his work until then, but these few drops hinted at the storm that would follow in his albums, including “Music for Native Americans” and “Contact from the Underworld of Redboy.”
I want to breathe when you breathe. When you whisper like that hot summer breeze, count the beads of sweat that cover me. Then you show me a sign, this time. Who else is going to give you a broken arrow? Who else is going to give you a bottle of rain?