Wathécˇa Records is a label and archival project focused on highlighting North American Indigenous musicians and artists who have often been overlooked within the canons of rock, folk, and country music. Wathécˇa Records was founded in 2022 by Justis Brokenrope (Sicˇháŋgˇu Lakhˇóta), a musician, DJ, and educator currently residing in Bdé Óta Othúŋwe, Mní Sóta (Minneapolis, Minnesota).
Driven by Brokenrope’s dedication for building and sharing his still-growing archive of rare vinyl records, cassette tapes, and even 8-track tapes, Wathécˇa Records Sourcebook showcases what makes physical media and printed ephemera so memorable and ripe for connection while simultaneously documenting a deep reverence for the Indigenous musicians and artists featured throughout the book. From the likes of Floyd Westerman and Buddy Red Bow, to the Zuni Midnighters and the Navajo Sundowners, and many more, Wathécˇa Records Sourcebook is guided by the act of breathing energy and pride into the music for readers to connect with and appreciate.
Brokenrope describes the underlying aim of his archival project as providing a renewed platform (via live DJ sets, uploads to the Wathécˇa Records YouTube channel, Internet radio shows, etc.) to these underrepresented musicians and artists where their music can be heard and appreciated by a wider audience, where accessibility becomes a means of building community around the music, and where the virtues of the archive promote our bond with memory and history.
The pages of this illustrious book feature in-situ photography of album artwork and printed ephemera directly from Brokenrope’s collection, behind the scenes documentation of the making and curation of Wathécˇa Records, as well as an array of reprinted comments handpicked from the Wathécˇa Records YouTube chan- nel. Posted by communities of fans and avid listeners, the inclusion of these joyous and meaningful comments connect readers with the memories and community that exists behind the music.
