Welcome to our Indigenous Artists Series, where you’ll meet Shawnee Kish, Stoney Cloud Dodson, and Joaquin Rojas as they share their personal stories and experiences of how music has played a significant role in their lives, as well as their deep cultural connections.

And that's not all! We've put together a special Sound Pack with instrumental and vocal samples from these incredible artists. Now you can infuse your projects with the rich sounds and rhythms of traditional Indigenous music. Get started by downloading the files below. We can’t wait to hear what you come up with! 

INDIGENOUS ARTISTS SERIES

CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS ARTISTS AND THEIR VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Made possible through the generous support of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Giving Program

SHAWNEE KISH

Shawnee Kish is a Mohawk singer-songwriter hailing from Canada, known for her powerful vocals and her ability to blend contemporary pop and folk music with her Indigenous roots. Born and raised in Welland, Ontario, Shawnee discovered her love for music early on.

As an adult, Shawnee moved to Edmonton, Alberta where she continued to pursue her passion for music. Her talent was quickly recognized, and in 2020 she won CBC Music's Searchlight competition, a national search for Canada's best undiscovered musical talent.

Shawnee's music is deeply rooted in her Indigenous heritage, and she uses her voice to share stories of resilience and empowerment. Her self-titled debut EP, released in 2021, showcases her unique sound and has earned her critical acclaim. She was also a nominee for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2022, cementing her status as a rising star in the Canadian music industry.

In addition to her music, Shawnee is also a talented composer. She created "Music Is My Medicine", a symphonic work that was performed by the National Arts Centre Orchestra for the CBC Gem web series Undisrupted in 2021.

With her incredible talent and dedication to her craft, Shawnee Kish is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. She continues to captivate audiences with her powerful performances and is sure to make a lasting impact for years to come.

STONEY CLOUD DODSON

Meet Stoney Cloud Dodson, a 24-year-old musician of Navajo and Pueblo descent, and an adopted member of the Mono tribe by the Sample family of Big Sandy Rancheria. He is a multi-talented musician who has been playing the saxophone for 15 years, the drum set for 8 years, and the piano for 10 years. Currently, he plays for 2 bands and composes his own songs for personal enjoyment.

For most of his life, Stoney has been fascinated with the sound of the drum and the way it affects people's emotions. As a member of the Spirit Ground drum group, he composes songs, sets the tempo and style, and uplifts the singers around the drum.

For Stoney, the drum is the one thing in his life that he cannot imagine living without. Every time he participates, he feels a great sense of gratitude for his life. Sitting at the drum with his closest relatives brings him joy, and he has seen how it can mend relationships, heal hearts, and offer comfort to those who need it.

JOAQUIN ROJAS

creator of the indigenous artists series sound pack

Joaquin Rojas is a proud member of the Chumash (Santa Barbara) and Cheyenne (Montana) tribes. He is an artist and educator who focuses on abstract and Native pop culture art, city graffiti, and mural painting, as well as mixed media videography. He is also a member of the drumming group Red Hoop and co-organizer and co-director of the Sacramento Pow Wow Dance group.

Joaquin is passionate about teaching young people about his tribes' history and culture. He has organized and co-created Indigenous Peoples Week at a local nonprofit School in Davis CA, it consists of a week-long celebration that promotes Indigenous culture, history, songs, and crafts. Joaquin has had the honor of singing for the Peace and Dignity run, an organization that aims to connect communities across North, Central, and South America to promote healing, peace, and the preservation of native culture.

In addition to his activism and teaching, Joaquin enjoys playing the flute, reading comics hanging out with his family and has recently become interested in photography, permaculture, urban farming, seed collecting, and gardening. He loves introducing the music and art of his culture to children and families in his community and Pow Wow network.

GET INSPIRED.

Expand your library of sounds and unleash your creativity.

With this free sound pack created by Joaquin Rojas, you'll have access to a variety of high-quality audio files that you can easily upload to your favorite Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), such as Soundtrap, and start creating your own compositions right away.

Includes authentic and traditional sounds from Native American cultures, including melodic flutes, hand drums, vocal chants and more.

Made possible through the generous support of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Giving Program