Indigenous music politics & culture EHN Curators Indigenous metal bands are creating a loud, defiant soundtrack to their fight against colonialism and environmental destruction, blending heavy riffs with deeply political and cultural themes. Taylar Dawn Stagner reports for Grist. In short: Indigenous musicians have used heavy metal for decades to address colonial oppression, environmental degradation and cultural resilience, with roots tracing back to bands like XIT in the 1970s. Today, bands like Blackbraid and Resistant Culture combine metal with Indigenous traditions, critiquing overconsumption and promoting self-determination while building tight-knit musical communities. Indigenous metal is growing globally, with bands from the Navajo Nation to Brazil incorporating native languages and instruments into their music to highlight both local and universal struggles. Key quote: “Despite coming from many tribes, communities and countries, the destructive force of colonialism, and the degradation of the environment, is something we all share.” — Taylar Dawn Stagner, journalist and Indigenous affairs fellow Why this matters: This isn’t just music; it’s a form of resistance — one that critiques the overconsumption fueling environmental destruction while championing cultural resilience and self-determination. It’s a global movement, building community among fans and musicians alike, bound by shared histories of exploitation and a determination to reclaim space. Read more: Colonialism, the climate crisis and the need to center Indigenous voices.
Click here to view original web page at www.dailyclimate.org