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In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, La Scena Musicale asked several Indigenous artists to help create a playlist. Each artist selected one song by an Indigenous musician or composer and explained why they chose the piece. Discover what some of Canada’s incredible Indigenous creators are listening to in their song selections below.
Photo: La Clic
Eadsé
Eadsé, which means “my good friend” in Wendat, is a Wendat singer-songwriter based in Montreal. She was recently named a 2025-26 Radio-Canada Revelation following the release of her first album Healer, which explores healing, resilience and letting go in French, English and Wendat.
Song: “Stand Up” by Joseph Sarenhes
“I think there is a beautiful message in this song, to speak our truth and to stand up for our rights. I also just love the acoustic version.”
Photo: Julien Faugère
Elisabeth St-Gelais
Elisabeth St-Gelais is an accomplished Innu soprano with several awards under her belt including McGill University’s prestigious Wirth Vocal Prize (2022), first prize and the Audience Choice Award at Canadian Opera Company’s annual Centre Stage competition (2023), and many more. She has made sharing her culture part of her mission as an artist.
Song: “Tshinanu” by Samian (featuring Kashtin)
“It’s a childhood memory with my Kukum (grandmother) in Pessamit. It’s a song that was played a lot on the local radio and everyone knew it and sang it. I remember driving around with Mamie (grandma) to say hello to friends, acquaintances and the community. It was very well-known, and this song was often played at those times.”
How did you discover this artist?
“Kashtin is a very well-known group in Quebec—two Innu musicians from Maliotenam who have brought aboriginal folk music to Quebec. Florent Vollant is a member of the group and a pioneer.”
Photo: Diamond’s Edge Photography
Melody Courage
Métis soprano Melody Courage is known for her role as The Native Girl in the 2017 world premiere of Marie Clements’ and Brian Current’s opera Missing. Ever since, she has been a highly sought-after performer, appearing in operas and as a soloist alongside orchestras across the country.
Song: “Wolves Don’t Live by the Rules” by Elisapie Isaac (featuring Joe Grass)
“This song pops in my head quite regularly. It evokes the feeling of being peaceful and free.”
How did you discover this artist?
“She was performing at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, and my brother had an extra ticket to go see her. I got to hear her live before knowing much about her music.”
Rebecca Cuddy
Métis mezzo-soprano and multi-disciplinary artist Rebecca Cuddy was a 2024 Opera Canada Rubies recipient as part of the cast of Manitoba Opera’s Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North, two-time Dora Award nominated performer and one of CBC’s top classical 30 Under 30 (2021). She recently appeared in Bulrusher with West Edge Opera in California.
Song: “When the Smoke Clears” by Andrina Turenne
“I chose this song because the message is one I return to time and again, and Andrina’s voice, lyrics and musicality settle my soul in a rare and beautiful way.”
How did you discover this artist?
“I met Andrina at the National Arts Centre when we sang together in a show celebrating Tomson Highway’s 70th birthday!”
Deantha Edmunds
Identified as Canada’s first Inuk professional classical singer, Deantha Edmunds is a skillful and acclaimed soprano currently based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. This year, she won a Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year for her composition Angmalukisaa (“round” in Inuktut) and was also nominated for Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 2025 East Coast Music Awards (ECMA).
Song: “Music is Vibration” by Cree composer Andrew Balfour; recorded by Luminous Voices
“This song is hauntingly beautiful. It took my breath away the first time I heard it, and every time I listen to it, I hear and feel something new. Andrew Balfour is a brilliant composer, and a compassionate, humble person. I find his work grounding, but uplifting at the same time.
The text is by Dominic Gregorio: ‘Music is vibration, can you see it? Sound is emotion, can you feel it? Invisible, intangible. Yet touches deep within …’
This is something I think about a lot, and I often speak about it in performances: our intentions, our energy, and our emotions are released on our breath when we sing. Those vibrations change the energy in the spaces we sing, and the audience carries that energy with them after a concert is over. It is powerful, what we can do together with our voices. We can spark change when we put our ideas and hopes out into the world. The energy we send out there lingers and reverberates. What a gift it is to be a singer, especially when we get to sing music like this gorgeous work of Andrew Balfour!”
Listen to these songs in a YouTube playlist here
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