Northern Voice (First Nations), A Tribe Called Red (First Nations) - Sisters

Northern Voice (First Nations), A Tribe Called Red (First Nations) - Sisters

Sisters by A Tribe Called Red (now known as The Halluci Nation) featuring Northern Voice is a stirring fusion of powwow tradition and contemporary electronic beats that celebrates Indigenous strength, sisterhood, and modern resilience. Emerging from Ottawa, Ontario, this Canadian collective pioneered "powwow‑step," blending First Nations vocal chants and drumming with hip‑hop, dubstep, and moombahton. “Sisters,” featured on their 2013 album Nation II Nation, centers on the powerful voices of the Northern Voice drum group, making it one of the earliest tracks to foreground female powwow power in a genre traditionally dominated by male-led ensembles.

Sisters is an invitation to recognize Indigenous women not as relics of history or participants in stereotype - but as living, thriving contributors to culture and creativity.

The video tracks three Indigenous sisters from their daily lives to a night out at the famous Babylon club in downtown Ottawa, where A Tribe Called Red regularly hosted their Electric Pow Wow events. The narrative is simple yet profound: waking up, getting dressed, dancing down streets and even grocery aisles—their journey underscores that Indigenous women are vibrant, contemporary, and unapologetically expressive. Director Jon Riera weaves in real moments—local DJ promos, a trip through scenic rural Ontario, and a gathering with friends—building a visual anthem of community and cultural celebration.

Sisters carries the heartbeat of traditional powwow drums layered over thunderous electronic bass and syncopated beats. The production, led by founding members Bear Witness and 2oolman (with contributions by former member DJ NDN), intensifies the chant sampling of Northern Voice, making the drum and voice the emotional core. This sonic layering—ancient vocal traditions meeting modern sound design—creates both a dancefloor-ready groove and a ceremony in sound. The track’s energy pulses with a collective heartbeat, inviting listeners to join in an experience that is spiritual, cultural, and communal.

Beneath its celebratory surface, Sisters holds deeper meaning. In spotlighting Indigenous women, it resists persistent stereotypes, offering an image of empowerment and unity. The sisters in the video exemplify both everyday reality and ceremonial performance, mirroring the song’s aim to bring traditional teachings into contemporary life. Fans of the video often point out small touches—traditional beading, ceremonial jackets mixed with casual fashion—that nod to this dual existence: rooted in culture, grounded in modernity. These visual subtleties become symbolic Easter eggs for those familiar with Indigenous protocols and style.

This track arrives at a significant moment in the group’s journey. Nation II Nation, its parent album, brought them first to national acclaim—short‑listed for both Polaris Prize and a Juno Award—shining a light on Indigenous resurgence in music. Featuring collaborations with multiple powwow ensembles, the album married social commentary (“Land Back,” “The Road”) with cultural celebration. “Sisters,” spotlighting the feminine voices of Northern Voice, broke new ground by giving women's voices the platform they deserve in powwow music, representing both healing and heritage.

In its essence, Sisters is an invitation—to see, listen, and join—to recognize Indigenous women not as relics of history or participants in stereotype but as living, thriving contributors to culture and creativity. Its rich melding of powwow drum tradition and bass-driven electronic production stands as a testament to A Tribe Called Red’s vision: to Indigenize dance spaces, reclaim narratives, and carve their place in the future of music. Sisters echoes onward, a celebration of sisterhood, culture, and electric ceremony that resonates far beyond the club walls.