Idle No More: Songs for Life Vol. 1 is the first of an ongoing series of free downloadable compilations of songs by artists who support the vision of Idle No More, Indigenous and allies alike. It’s a feast for the ears. A celebration. And we’re only just getting started. If ever we’ve been idle - whether in our thoughts or our actions - we are now Idle No More.

***Words from the artists***

Jenn Grant:
"Perhaps music can help spread awareness and support our precious earth, and to our leaders who are fighting this cause. Let us grow together and show our cause and concern. Canadians need to shout and sing and sometimes starve - let us be heard. "

Holly McNarland:
My focus is to speak to music fans and to hopefully sway some of the opinions and myths about First Nations people, and shine some light on how the Harper Government is selling us out via our water, land and resources. Bill C-45 needs to go.

Whitehorse:
We believe that conditions in many First Nations' communities are deplorable and would not be tolerated in neighbourhoods in Toronto or Calgary (for example) and as such there is a deep double standard at play in Canada. We support Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and urge Prime Minister Stephen Harper to meet with her. Also, the shredding of environmental regulations and the defunding of environmental and science organizations at the very time when there is a push by Harper to build a pipeline through environmentally vulnerable lands and waters is cause for great concern to all Canadians.




Idle No More: Songs for Life Volume 1

Derek Miller

Guitarist and singer/songwriter Derek Miller is a journeyman musician with eclectic taste and a knack for roots inflected rock. Born on the Six Nations of the Grand River, Mohawk Territory, Canada, Miller became interested in music in his early teens, and by the late ’90s had not only toured with iconic Canadian vocalist Buffy Sainte-Marie but was also garnered a Juno for both his debut album, ‘Music Is the Medicine’ and sophomore album ‘The Dirty Looks’ in 2008. Derek’s latest album ‘Derek Miller with Double Trouble’ takes us to the heart of Native Americana romanticism. It uses vintage tones and aesthetics of 50’s rock and roll with a modern twist, telling the story of a mythical man who has a blind moment of insanity and the events that got him to that point.

derekmiller.ca

Derek Miller - "7 Lifetimes"

Holly McNarland

My focus is to speak to music fans and to hopefully sway some of the opinions and myths about First Nations people, and shine some light on how the Harper Government is selling us out via our water, land and resources. Bill C-45 needs to go.

hollymcnarland.net


Holly McNarland - "Run Body Run"

John K. Samson

John K. Samson is the singer and songwriter for the venerated indie rock outfit The Weakerthans, and his poetry and prose has appeared in Matrix Magazine, Geist, CV2, The Believer, The Winnipeg Review, and Post Prairie—An Anthology of New Poetry. He lives in Winnipeg, Treaty One Territory, where he’s also the managing editor and co-founder of ARP, a small publishing house.

johnksamson.com

John K. Samson - "www.ipetitions.competitionrivertonrifle"

Digging Roots

For the last few years the JUNO winning genre-blurring indy band from Toronto have been touring in North America, Europe and Australia. Musical partners Raven and ShoShona have been finding the right balance of fairytale style good fortune, old fashion hard work and the rare creative chemistry to make a go of it. Their upcoming album ‘Love Drive’ brings more blues-world infused songs to their live shows with a supporting tour already in the making with performances across Canada, the US, and Australia.

DiggingRootsMusic.com

Digging Roots - "These Hands"

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We are always looking to discover the best of Indigenous Music Culture. Email us: info@rpm.fm

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John K. Samson - "www.ipetitions.competitionrivertonrifle"

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