Consider it a dismissive token of Daniel Monkman’s Anishinaabe heritage—a poorly laminated piece of plastic called a treaty card. “We were told it was government official, but really, all places wouldn’t accept it,” says Monkman. “Only a few years ago did they finally change it.”
Monkman is one-half of OMBIIGIZI, an outspoken, sonically ambitious Canadian art-rock duo. Fellow core member Adam Sturgeon shares his indigenous ancestry, which serves as a compelling thematic thread for sophomore album Shame (Arts & Crafts). Produced by Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew, Shame is set for release November 1. Monkman and Sturgeon take their intimate cultural explorations quite seriously—right down to their band name. Pronounced om-BEE-ga-ZAY, it means “this is noisy” in the Anishinaabemowin language.
“It’s about identity,” says Monkman, referring specifically to latest single “Laminate The Sky.” “Collaboration was a huge part of this new album’s process. We trusted each other and leaned into our signature solo sounds.”
Both based in Ontario, the two may be better known for other projects: Monkman for his work with shoegaze band Zoon, Sturgeon as the leader of alt-folk act Status/Non-Status. Through OMBIIGIZI, they’re tackling the weighty issues near and dear to their hearts.
“I believe everything we do has an effect to the world, small or large,” says Monkman. “We want the message of our present-day genocide to be recorded for future generations to understand. This album is our cave-wall drawings. It’s our way to show the future what we saw and heard.”
We’re proud to premiere OMBIIGIZI’s “Laminate The Sky” video.
—Hobart Rowland
