What's On Past Events: 2020 / 2021

Contemporary Indigenous songs performed by mezzo-soprano Rebecca Cuddy, curated by composer Ian Cusson.

As part of Soundstreams’ free digital offerings, Encounters is an accessible music and discussion experience designed as a chance virtual engagement with some of Canada’s most interesting musicians, composers, and artists.

Métis composer Ian Cusson has written songs both poignant and provocative that are inspired by his own and other Indigenous heritages. He has curated this program of contemporary Indigenous songs, performed by mezzo-soprano Rebecca Cuddy (Métis). The performances are preceded by a conversation between Cusson and Soundstreams Founding Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney.

ARTISTS

Rebecca Cuddy, mezzo-soprano
Gregory Oh, piano
Curated by Ian Cusson

REPERTOIRE

Ian Cusson Five Songs on Poems of Marilyn Dumont
Raven Chacon Ella Llora

This program is dedicated to the hundreds of Indigenous children whose graves were recently discovered at former residential schools in British Colombia and Saskatchewan, and countless others that remain missing or undocumented.

From the 1830s until 1997, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and sent to residential schools as part of a systematic attempt by the Canadian government to “remove the Indian from the child.” Many never returned to their home communities.

In 2008, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded that at least 4,100 children died at these institutions, and it is likely that number is much higher.

Encounters: Indigenous Voices and Town Hall: Indigenous Voices are supported by TD Bank Group.