THE ARTS

Music, singing, drumming, poetry, spoken word, beading, painting,

storytelling, and powwow dancing are performing arts. They 

are beautiful expressions of life. They evoke passions, love, and 

dreams, and remind us of the most inspiring and striking aspects 

of our ancestors. The arts give us the means to tell our stories. 

Today’s performing artists bring to life our traditions and cultures, 

creating occasions to celebrate what it means to be Indigenous 

in the 21st century. Our Indigenous performing arts show to the 

world that we are an evolving people with a strong and vibrant 

culture. Our Indigenous cultures evolve with each new song that 

is sung and each new piece of regalia that is beaded together; 

they tell the story of “now.” 

Traditionally, songs were sung by an individual or group at social 

celebrations or to honour someone at a sacred ceremony. Dance 

continues to play a major role in our traditional way of life. It was 

and is a form of prayer—showing respect and acknowledgement 

for Creator and the Universe. Artistic expression may come to 

individuals through a dream or through a significant life event, and 

is often a story of a person, society, clan, rite, or ceremony. 

The arts were often passed down from generation to generation, 

but they can take on new expression and meaning as time passes. 

Many traditional songs still exist today, and our young people 

are learning them in ceremony. Beading is a newer form of art. 

Again, the person doing the beading offers words of prayer while 

expressing the visual image. Variations in colour, tones, and shapes 

show some aspect of the artist’s inner beauty and creativity. This 

is true giving of one’s self. Drawing and painting also played a role 

in traditional life. An artist in the family would paint the crests of 

the family or clan on their teepees. When getting ready to hunt 

or go into battle, horses and warriors were painted with prayers 

and images given through dreams for good fortune and a safe 

arrival home. 

Drums were and are an important part of the art scene for 

Indigenous Peoples, who describe the beat of a drum as the 

heartbeat of Mother Earth and of each one of us. The drum 

teaches us about the unity of people—one drum, one heartbeat 

of the human family. 

Recently there has been a revival of Indigenous forms of art. 

Many young Indigenous artists have created a space for both 

Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to enjoy their creations. 

Art in its vast range of expressions epitomizes human success. 

New forms of art are also popping up in the Indigenous art scene. 

These include the spoken word, photography, fashion design, and 

performing arts. New forms of music are entering the Indigenous 

music scene. For instance, there is a phenomenon happening 

in Indigenous hip hop, which enables artists to tell their stories 

through music. Red Cloud, a Los Angeles based MC and hip hop 

artist, describes hip hop as “uplifting and positive.” He goes on 

to say, “It gives somebody hope and changes people’s lives. It is 

street poetry that anyone can relate to.” He and other musicians 

are reaching Indigenous youth throughout North America with 

their music, bringing a strong message of strength, resilience, 

overcoming challenges, and respect for our origins and for the