Seven Indigenous Holiday Songs to Keep You Warm This Winter

With the Holiday season fast approaching, cold weather sweeping in, we at Daybreak Star Radio thought we’d give you some Indigenous holiday music to bring in some cheer. This list has something for everyone and will get you in the mood for snow and seasons greetings. These seven songs are a must add to your holiday playlists, and there are more where they came from!

1. Dr. Sizzle & Alexis Lynn – Christmas Cards (Remix)

Alexis Lynn is a singer-songwriter from Surrey, British Columbia. A captivating performer with a honeyed vocal tone and an edge underneath it, Alexis crafts deceptively sweet pop anthems that never shy away from her ethos of honesty and empowerment.

2. Dani & Lizzy – Snowed In

Dani and Lizzy aspire to create music with a message that can help people heal and overcome life’s many obstacles. With song topics that address dealing with substance abuse (“FTW”), to tracks that explore the complexities of relationships (“My Love Will Never Die”), the twins see music as therapy – both for themselves, and for their listeners. In their own words, their goal is “to inspire and encourage people to do their best – survive and thrive.”

3. Don Amero – Even Santa Gets the Blues

Don Amero is a 3x JUNO Award nominee who beautifully blends his culture with his music and effortlessly connects with his audiences. Having been a singer-songwriter for over a decade, he has cultivated a wide audience with his range of music and used his platform for his advocacy work within Indigenous communities and beyond, including his participation as a youth mentor for the Winnipeg Jets and True North Youth Foundation’s ‘Project 11’.

4. Rhonda Head – Please Come Home for Christmas

Forty-eight-time international award-winning Mezzo-Soprano vocalist, Rhonda Head is from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. Rhonda released her fifth album on August 2024, ASKI Rhonda’s album is about nature, choosing what is right and admiring beautiful people.

5. Beatrice Deer – Ulluriat Quamavut Unnuami

Acclaimed “Inuindie” pop star Beatrice Deer is a singer-songwriter based in Montreal. Half Inuk and half Mohawk, Beatrice was born and raised in Nunavik, Quebec, in the small village of Quaqtaq. She has released six studio albums, including her newest, titled SHIFTING. Her award-winning songs are crafted upon deeply personal lyrics and blend indie rock and modern folk with traditional Inuit stories and throat singing.

6. Desiree Dorian – Hillbilly Christmas

Desiree Dorion grew up a mile and a half from the grounds of Dauphin Country Fest, one of the biggest outdoor music festivals in Canada. The JUNO Nominee has had multiple songs chart in the top 100 on the Canadian country music charts (TRAX), along with numerous reach the top spot on the Indigenous Music Countdown. February 24th, 2023 will mark the release of her sixth studio album, “That’s How I Know,” was produced Chris Burke-Gaffney (with the exception of one track).

7. Sihasin – Winter Wonderland

Sihasin is a Navajo pop-punk band including a brother sister duo set on creating music to go against the social injustice they see in the day-to-day world. Their band name translates to “Hope” in their Dine language, and the siblings do their best to get that message across in their music. Their two albums are currently available for streaming.