Land Back Records launches in Vancouver pushing Indigenous artists forward

The launch of Land Back Records in Vancouver is making space for Indigenous artists, as it can often be what some call, “an exploitative industry.”

Co-Founder of the label, Dakota Bear says he’s taking a culturally informed approach to business to benefit his own community by creating a space for Indigenous artists, aiming got amplify Indigenous voices and protect them from exploitation in the music industry.

“BIPOC people are underrepresented and often our cultures are even exploited as well,” Bear told CityNews.

Bear says taking action to create feasible change for Indigenous creatives is an uphill battle, but one necessary to take on.

“We call ourselves warrior entrepreneurs because we incorporate our values into everything we do. Reciprocity, being anti-colonial actors, revitalizing Indigenous economy. It’s an industry and a business and they really put money to the forefront of things, we’re putting community to the forefront of things.”

Related stories:

• Indigenous women more likely to face violence if they were a child in care: report

• B.C. prioritizing negotiation over litigation for Indigenous rights

• Coastal Dance Festival marks 15th anniversary with return to in-person performances

At his warehouse in Burnaby, the hip hop artist and his fiancée Casey Desjarlais, oversee prints for another business of theirs: Decolonial Clothing. Bear and his fiancée say all of the profits from clothing sales, the record label, and Land Back’s launch party will fund community initiatives.

“We’re one of the first using music as a way to physically obtain land and then build healing lodges on it.”

Desjarlais who is also Co-Founder of the label, is among one of the first artists to sign with Land Back as part of the Moonstone Drum Group. Like Bear – music is a personal outlet for her.

“There are drum groups that are getting awarded and going to award shows. It’s just super powerful because as indigenous people we have constantly been silenced, our culture has been denied but here we are reclaiming spaces, taking up spaces, sharing our voices loud and clear and making sure that we are being heard.”

Whether its through traditional music or other genres, the duo is striving to make space for up-and-coming Indigenous voices.  A recording studio will also be opening in the coming months, and it will be free for Indigenous Youth to use.

“I found my voice. I’m using it in a good way, and I’m hoping that inspires and powers other youth to find their voice. So then they can continue to tell their story because their story is so important. You know, we’re storytellers as Indigenous people. That’s how we relate our messages, you know, and the masses need to hear what we have to say right now more than ever,” Bear said.

Land Back Records is hosting a launch party Thursday at the Fortune Sound Club featuring a showcase of Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous artists.