We are excited to share that OPLIAM (Liam McDonald) has been officially featured in SAY Magazine (Issue 138) in an article titled “OPLIAM finds strength in storytelling.”
The feature explores how music, literature, and narrative serve as vital channels for preserving Indigenous culture, fostering mental wellness, and building resilience across generations.
SAY Magazine Article
OPLIAM Finds Strength in Storytelling
“Healing can begin with a story. Music has long been a way for Indigenous Peoples to share stories, preserve culture and express identity. For OPLIAM, it is also a way to explore resilience, mental wellness and the realities of contemporary Indigenous life.”
Read Full Feature on SAY Magazine →Key Highlights from the SAY Magazine Feature
SAY Magazine’s in-depth profile examines how OPLIAM approaches creative work not merely as entertainment, but as an intentional vehicle for community empowerment and personal healing.
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- Storytelling as Healing & Mental Wellness: The article emphasizes how narrative forms—both musical and literary—create safe spaces to examine identity, mental health, and perseverance while grounding listeners in contemporary Indigenous perspectives.
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- The “Alter-Native” Sound: Highlighting OPLIAM’s unique genre fusion of alternative rock, Native Americana, and bedroom pop, the feature details his decade-long journey of authentic art-making that refuses to conform to industry boxes.
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- Global Connections Across Turtle Island & Beyond: Recounting international performances across Turtle Island, Hawaiʻi, Australia, and Aotearoa (New Zealand), the article illustrates how authentic stories cross cultural and geographic boundaries.
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- Bridging Music and Literature: As a Mohawk descendant (Kahnawà:ke / Akwesasne), OPLIAM’s commitment to youth education is spotlighted through his middle-grade book Indigenous America (published by Penguin Random House), which received a starred review from School Library Journal.
Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Art
As SAY Magazine notes, tradition and modern innovation are not opposing forces. By combining reflective songwriting with literary historical work, OPLIAM demonstrates how honoring ancestral roots and embracing modern creative mediums can inspire deeper understanding and unity.
“Whether writing songs or books, OPLIAM approaches each project with the same goal: creating space for Indigenous voices while encouraging a deeper understanding of history, identity and culture.” — SAY Magazine (Issue 138)