Indigenous Creativity and Healing: Music as Medicine

Here at Indigenous Cloud, we aren’t strangers to Indigenous creativity. Music has always been a key part of Indigenous culture, regardless of the style or genre. In this blog we will explore the relationship between music and healing. Whether you play your own music or listen to the music of others, it is an important part of building strong communities.

Using music to heal cultural wounds.

Indigenous music can speak to topics such as the 60’s Scoop or Residential School trauma in a way that communicates experience while also creating space for deep healing. Indigenous artists such as Edward Gamblin, Nakoa Heavyrunner, and Misha Donovon all use their music to discuss and call attention to these topics. Regardless of the genre, music plays an integral role in the healing of complicated and intergenerational wounds.

Indigenous music as medicine.

Indigenous music is often used in healing ways. As Brenda Macintyre (Medicine Song Woman), writes, “Indigenous medicine songs hold boundless healing power.” For example, the Native-American flute is often used in music therapy, yoga, and other meditation practices around the world! We’ve written about the Native-American flute, and we invite you to learn more about this flute and what makes it so special. This style of flute utilizes a pentatonic minor scale and these sounds have been shown to greatly reduce stress. Drums and singing are also considered medicinal and are often used in healing spaces. Music can be used to work through grief and trauma as well as encourage joy and celebrate important events. 

Our 3 favourite Indigenous albums for meditation & healing 

1. Little Island Cree – Healing Our Spirit
   
2. Spiritual Medicine – A Collection of Peyote Songs
   
3. Sakoieta Widrick – By Sacred Waters