ASL: Episode 4: Indigenous Music and Songs

Episode 4: Indigenous Music and Songs
This session is in ASL.
Cody Coyote was raised in Ottawa and is of Ojibwe/Irish descent with ancestry from Matachewan First Nation. He is a multi-award nominated and award-winning hip-hop/electronic artist. He takes us to Brewer Park, where he fell in love with hip-hop, and shares how music has always been an outlet for him. He talks about his new album, Passage, and how his music is about intergenerational trauma and issues Indigenous people face today. Cody tries to grasp his listeners' attention and delivers a mesmerizing performance through meaningful lyrics. He also tries to be unapologetic in his writing. It is important, he says, to acknowledge the discomfort, to hold space, and to have uncomfortable discussions to initiate change. He writes thought-provoking lyrics so people take time to re-listen to the words.
Through his music, Cody encourages other people to have a voice and not be afraid to use it or speak up. he was inspired to write his song "Keep the Peace” because he was bullied for having long hair. Writing music provides a safe space to let things go, he says-music is healing. Cody has always been a strong youth advocate. His message for youth is that you are good enough, you are capable, you are worthy. Don't let anyone take away your voice or talent.
Nathan Provost of Piikani Nation has been singing for more than 15 years. Today, he shares a social gathering song using his elk hide hand drum, made for him by Jim Potts, from Piikani Nation. Nathan has had this drum for more than ten years. He explains that a hand drum is used by one singer, while the big drum found at Powwows can have up to eight or more men singing together. As he sings, a few dancers accompany him.