Music holds an important place in Aboriginal traditions, particularly in ceremonies, festivals and rituals.
Traditional music is made up mainly of songs accompanied by percussion. The melodies sometimes came to their composers in dreams or visions. Lyrics and melodies were passed on from person to person.
Thanks to digital audio and video, now traditional songs can be shared between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people on the Internet.
Today’s aboriginal musicians are the heirs of traditions, but they have also been influenced by other cultures. Different styles, new rhythms and a variety of instruments, such as guitars and violins, are now diversifying the melodies. In the lyrics, Aboriginal languages are mixed in with other languages, such as French and English. Aboriginal musicians incorporate genres such as country, hip-hop and rock. This is the case for the popular anishinabe (algonquin) rapper Samian, who is an inspiration to many First Nations youth.