Toronto-based Ishkōdé Records, a label committed to uplifting Indigenous voices across Turtle Island, has officially welcomed a legendary name to its roster: Keith Secola. The celebrated Native American Music Hall of Fame inductee is bringing his iconic anthem, “NDN Kars,” back into the spotlight with a brand-new version featured in the season finale of AMC’s critically acclaimed series Dark Winds.
A seven-time Native American Music Award winner, Secola's work blends rock, folk, and blues with traditional Indigenous storytelling, creating a sound that is both contemporary and rooted in cultural resilience. “NDN Kars,” arguably his most famous work, has become a multi-generational anthem since its initial cassette release.
Now, with the “NDN Kars (Dark Winds Version),” Secola breathes new life into the song’s legacy. The updated version maintains its drum- and chant-driven spirit, aligning seamlessly with the powerful themes of Dark Winds, a series known for its authentic Indigenous representation both in front of and behind the camera. The song appears in the final episode of Season three, which aired on April 27.
A statement from the company discloses that, “Keith Secola is a masterful storyteller whose songs carry truth, humour, resistance, and pride… His voice is timeless and unmistakably authentic, a force celebrated and uplifted across generations. We are deeply honoured to welcome Keith to the Ishkōdé Records family.”
Secola himself reflected on the song’s significance, particularly in the context of cultural resilience. “NDN Kars is about the richness of being poor… Even with disparity and hardship, survivors can restore our identity through artistic expression which is forever resistant. We can transcend oppression by affirming our cultural pride and rebel against oppression which causes our fragmentation.”
“NDN Kars” has long held a unique place in Indigenous popular culture. It’s been described as the “most requested song on tribal radio,” and its reach spans from the soundtrack of Dance Me Outside to a 2020 remix by The Halluci Nation. Its revival for Dark Winds reinforces the song’s enduring relevance as an expression of identity, sovereignty, and resistance.
The signing of Secola also marks a significant milestone for Ishkōdé Records, as he becomes the label’s first artist based outside of Canada. It signals a meaningful step in uniting Indigenous musicians across borders and generations.
With this new collaboration, Ishkōdé Records continues to position itself at the forefront of Indigenous musical storytelling—while Keith Secola, ever the cultural trailblazer, proves once again that great songs don’t just endure; they evolve.
