“Shout Over Silence” by Zoongde`e is the latest single released through the Culture to Wellness project, a collaboration between Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS) in Toronto and the Canadian NGO Make Music Matter (MMM). This initiative aims to deepen holistic healing models for Indigenous communities.
This raw and defiant punk-infused track calls for justice and draws parallels between colonialism in Turtle Island and other parts of the world. Zoongde`e member Keenan Miller explains, “The song, to me, represents a way to give a voice to First Nations people by expressing some of the issues that our people have faced and continue to face, particularly regarding justice, our land, our Two-Spirit people, and our healing journey. In a way, the song expresses that we, as First Nations people, are here, and we will remain here until the end of time. We will continue to fight for our rights and work to end colonization and genocide.”
ALS staff have participated in workshops based on MMM’s Healing in Harmony model, a unique blend of psychotherapy and music therapy, which they have integrated with traditional Indigenous healing methods. These group therapy sessions have guided participants in addressing the collective trauma they’ve experienced and continue to face as frontline workers.
Quinn Roffey-Antoine, project coordinator and victims’ rights advocate at ALS, believes the project has built confidence and brought a great sense of accomplishment to the group. “I think it’s amazing what our staff has been able to create through this process. Many of us are from different communities, some of us are allies, but we all understand and/or have been affected by colonialism. We have our stories to tell, and this has been the perfect avenue for us to share them,” she says.
ALS will soon offer the Culture to Wellness program to community members as an expansion of its multidisciplinary work.
Listen to “Shout Over Silence” by Zoongde`e, now available on all major streaming platforms via A4A Records.
Producer: Thomas Aman, Brock MacArthur
Mixing Engineer: Michael Phillip Wojewoda
Mastering Engineer: Guillermo Subauste
About Aboriginal Legal Services
For over 30 years, Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS) has been one of the leading non-profit organizations supporting Indigenous people and communities, and a national leader in Indigenous justice and advocacy. ALS’ mission is to strengthen the capacity of the Indigenous community and its citizens to address justice issues and provide Indigenous-controlled, culturally-based justice alternatives and healing.
About Make Music Matter
Make Music Matter uses the creative process as a therapeutic tool to help empower marginalized individuals and communities to recover, reintegrate, and reclaim their future with hope and dignity. Its innovative Healing in Harmony music therapy model has been clinically proven to reduce PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Healing in Harmony has transformed the lives of over 15,000 individuals in nine countries worldwide. Participants emerge with a renewed sense of agency and self-worth, and their original songs are professionally produced and released globally, serving as advocacy tools to promote human rights and combat stigma.
