Although she has become a popular performer at Canadian folk festivals, she is best known both in Canada and internationally for her collaborations with Björk, including concert tours and the 2004 album Medúlla. She has also performed with the Kronos Quartet and featured on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.
In 2005 her CD entiled Sinaa (Inuktitut for Edge) was nominated for five awards at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. At the ceremony on 25 October 2005 the CD won awards for Best Producer/Engineer, Best Album Design and Tagaq herself won the Best Female Artist award.
Her Sinaa CD was nominated for the 2006 Juno Awards as the Best Aboriginal Recording.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanya_Tagaq_Gillis
http://www.tanyatagaq.com/en/home/
Colonizer
Tanya Tagaq Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Oh you're guilty
Oh you're guilty
Oh you're guilty
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
Colonizer
You colonizer
You colonizer
You colonizer
You colonizer
Oh you're guilty
Oh you're guilty
Oh you're guilty
You colonizer
You colonizer
You colonizer
You colonizer
Oh you're guilty
Oh you're guilty
Oh you're guilty
The song "Colonizer" by Tanya Tagaq is a powerful commentary on the damaging legacy of colonialism and white supremacy. The repetition of the word "colonizer" emphasizes the message that this identity and its related actions are central to the harm inflicted on Indigenous peoples. Tagaq's chant-like vocals express a sense of anger and frustration, calling out those who have taken land, resources, and lives. The phrase "oh you're guilty" is repeated throughout the song, implicating the listener and contextualizing the ongoing harm caused by colonization.
The lyrics are a direct challenge to those who benefit from colonization, inviting them to confront their complicity in the ongoing harm inflicted on Indigenous peoples. Tagaq's vocalizations are intense and visceral, conveying deep pain and anger towards the perpetrators of colonial violence. The power of the song lies in its ability to convey a complex message through repetition and emotion, highlighting the persistence of this problem and the urgency of addressing it.
Line by Line Meaning
Colonizer
This word represents the historical and ongoing oppression and exploitation of Indigenous peoples by colonial powers.
Oh you're guilty
This line is directed at the colonizer, who stands accused of crimes against Indigenous peoples.
You colonizer
In addition to representing the colonizer as a general concept, these lines are also direct accusations aimed at individual colonizers.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: Saul Williams, Sumach Valentine, Tanya Tagaq
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paddy Eason
Completely brilliant. A ravishing video, for a ferocious track. Can good art be driven by rage? You bet! Thank you for this, TT.
katt
Wow WOW WOW!! Tanya this is powerful on all levels. I love this , and I love you . ❤️
Faith Henare
I love this sm!!!!!! The visuals!! The beautiful throat singing!!!! It was hitting me in the feels HARD!!! I WANT MORE!!!
Cuzdcrow
Every Government meetings (where the crimes are being committed as we speak) should start with this video
'wishful thinking' , wonderful love it great message direct straight to heart .
Jacob Maier
This video hits the heart.
Boois Hoois
Why?
greeniREZ
Ah hell ya it’s been a minute since I heard a new Tanya song. This track is legit, love it
kissthestars
The chills are unreal
ilarious
Beautiful video ✌🏼
Suits the song perfectly, now let's give it the views it deserves.
Ezra H.
Some of these comments are just awful. Practice your culture, girl. Don't ever let anyone try to take it away from you.