Though music varies from nation to nation, most traditional Indigenous music relies heavily on percussive instruments, in particular drums. There is a connection drawn between drumming and the heartbeat of both people and the Earth. Further, drums are circular in shape, an important symbol for First Peoples. More contemporary First Peoples music still leans heavily on tradition, which we can see in the throat singing of someone like Tanya Tagaq. However, it also demonstrates a fusion of Indigenous and colonial cultures through the use of hip hop, dance music, and folk songs. Below we have linked a number of songs via youtube that give an overview of the varied music being created by First Peoples today.
Inuit throat singing, katajjaq, is a traditional contest wherein two female singers try to outlast each other. The songs are meant to replicate the sounds of nature, such as caribou and moose calls.
