Scared to leave
what is a reservation
The creative spirit of First Nations people has long been suppressed by colonial forces. Residential schools and bans on traditional practices aimed to sever cultural continuity, while economic hardships limited access to artistic resources. Indigenous voices have usually beensilenced or misrepresented, with narratives controlled by outsiders and cultural symbols exploited without consent. Systemic racism and political oppression further marginalized Indigenous artists, creating barriers in funding, representation, and intellectual property protection.
Despite these challenges, the resilience of First Nations people has led to a powerful resurgence. Indigenous artists are reclaiming their heritage, sharing authentic stories, and fostering a vibrant cultural revival. Their creative expressions now serve as a profound reminder of the enduring strength and beauty of Indigenous culture, illuminating a path toward a more inclusive and respectful future.
Part of this renaissance is the band OMBIIGIZI, pronounced om-BEE-ga-ZAY, meaning “this is noisy.” They are a poignant fusion of the distinct heritages and musical structures of Anishinaabe artists Daniel Monkman and Adam Sturgeon. The Canadian duo infuses their passionate and perceptive art rock with the rich storytelling traditions of their families. The Anishinaabe musical revolution is deeply layered and far-reaching, inspiring and influencing all generations to gather, sing, and speak, as they have always done – but in a modern context.
OMBIIGIZI’s unique “moccasin gaze” style draws from the boundless energy and palette of modern rock, combined with the ancient melodies and rhythms of their ancestry, OMBIIGIZI skillfully envision a hopeful future, one born from our shared efforts to communicate our realities with each other and the wider world.
Translating to ‘river’ in Anishinaabe, the beautiful new single “Ziibi” honors the power of the elements by blending First Nations heritage with a deep affection for psychedelic-tinged shoegaze. It is poetic, gentle, and entrancing – the two cultures embellish each other’s strengths and create a compelling hybrid sound. The vocals float smoothly over layered acoustic guitars, building to electric, emotional heights in a timeless chorus. Through their music, OMBIIGIZI dispels the long-held silence imposed upon Indigenous people – defining themselves on their own terms.
Daniel Monkman (Zoon) had the Red River that flows through Manitoba in mind when he wrote Ziibi. “It’s a very long river all the way from the Mississippi,” he explains. “I grew up along the shore of that river looking into it. Watching as it would swallow up all our bikes and skateboards. My first realization of how powerful the elements are….The river teaches us.”
Listen to “Ziibi” below:
OMBIIGIZI took the time to speak with Post-Punk.com about their creative process and direction the band is taking.
Can you share more about the creative process behind “Ziibi” and how the river influenced the composition and lyrics?
For me, I was taught that river gives life and it was a way to trade along the Red River settlement, in Winnipeg Manitoba. I feel like that meaning applies to how Ombiiigizi operates and our philosophy.
You’ve now put out two singles from your upcoming LP. How do they differ from your ZOON project?
I would say that in a way it’s showing the new Zoon style and letting it spill into the OMBIIGIZI system. That’s what we loved about this album. We had a chance to bring in our signature sounds. Our first album was a battle to be different and now we kinda leaned into our own sounds.
The Shame LP is due for release later this year. You can presave the album here.
Follow OMBIIGIZI:
Or via: