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Director Corey Payette speaks about creating Children of God
June 16, 2017Shocked by the way Canada sweeps aspects of its history under the rug, creator Corey Payette wrote Children of God as a way of starting the conversation; acknowledging the hurt done, and acknowledging the strength of the survivors and their descendants. In Payette’s own words, “Children of…
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Kevin Loring announced as the first Artistic Director for Indigenous Theatre
June 15, 2017The National Arts Centre’s President and CEO, Peter Herrndorf announced today that Kevin Loring will be the first ever Artistic Director of Indigenous Theatre at the NAC, taking up his post on October 16, 2017. The first season of the Indigenous Theatre Department will coincide with the…
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Buffy Sainte-Marie speaks about Canada 150
June 13, 2017On July 3, 2017 Buffy Sainte-Marie will perform with special guests at the NAC Canada Scene Festival. Buffy took a few moments to speak about the 150 Celebrations. "For me the 150th... the best thing that can possibly happen is a better connection. I mean there is so much to be proud of…
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Kugluktuk students share message of hope and support through music
August 22, 2016Gordon Kaniak, a high school student in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, wrote this powerful song, "Suicide's Not the Answer," which he performed and recorded with fellow students. Gordon's work on this song was supported by Music Alive Program teaching artists Greg Brown, Andrew Morrison, Rita Claire…
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Thank You to Our Generous Donors
March 8, 2016On May 19, 2016, Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra will share the stories of four remarkable Canadian women through music, motion and word, in the world premiere of Life Reflected. This ground-breaking performance is the most ambitious creation project in the…
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Sharing the Love of Dance
February 15, 2016“This was the most important, creative and bolstering outreach I have had the fortune to organize” These are the words of Sioned Watkins, NAC Dance Education Associate and Teaching Artist, following a week of dance workshops and outreach programs she organized in collaboration with the…
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Florent Vollant: restoring dignity and pride through music
February 10, 2016On January 30, the NAC Presents series, in partnership with the BMO Financial Group, welcomed Florent Vollant, an artist and prominent figure from the Innu arts community. The singer-songwriter from Maliotenam, Québec, and former member of the famous folk‑rock duo Kashtin, returns to his…
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A story of identity: Going Home Star - Truth and Reconcilation
February 3, 2016The Truth and Reconciliation's outcome report summary states that "These residential schools were created for the purpose of separating Aboriginal children from their families, in order to minimize and weaken family ties and cultural linkages, and to indoctrinate children into a new…
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Discovering ballet with the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre
February 1, 2016Never stop learning. It’s a phrase that Royal Winnipeg Ballet Outreach Coordinator Jaime Vargas lives by. A former principal dancer with the company, Jaime now channels his passion for dance into teaching and inspiring others. His gentle nature and obvious love for dance immediately puts…
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Art and Reconciliation Panel Discussion
January 18, 2016The recent landmark report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada on the abuses at residential schools states that art has the extraordinary ability to heal. The National Arts Centre hosted a timely panel discussion on art in the context of reconciliation moderated by Dr.…
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From Sunrise to Sunset: MAP Saskatchewan
January 15, 2016Well, it’s 5:00 a.m. on this cold morning, November 27th, which means I’ve got to get up and get going if I want to make it to Manor School on time. I get ready quickly and start loading my gear: 5 cords, 4 instruments, 3 stands, 2 speakers, 1 microphone…and a partridge in a pear tree. Oh,…
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Jack Charles’ story of resilience and reconnection
January 14, 2016Jack Charles' experience as a stolen child echoes the plight of Canada's own Indigenous people. This was made clear when he and director Rachael Maza were invited to speak at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa. "It's exactly the same story. It actually started so much earlier…
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Students discuss the Rita Joe Song Project
January 12, 2016In her autobiography, Rita Joe challenges Indigenous youth to find their voices, share their stories, and celebrate their talents. Inspired by this idea, the National Arts Centre asked teachers and students from five Indigenous groups across Canada to create a song based on Rita Joe's…
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Indigenous Storytelling in 2016
January 11, 2016January 9, 2016 NAC Presents turns 5! Party with A Tribe Called Red, U.S. Girls, Mehdi Cayenne and The Lionyls! January 12–16, 2016 Jack Charles V The Crown NAC English Theatre January 14–30, 2016 100 Years of Loss, Exhibition The Residential School System in Canada Legacy of Hope…
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Q & A: Algonquin Elder Annie Smith St-Georges and Metis André-Robert St-Georges
January 11, 2016Q. You’ve been welcoming NAC English Theatre audiences to traditional Algonquin Nation Territory since last season. How do you go about this? A. On opening nights, before the play begins, we greet people with a message of peace in a way that acknowledges our presence together on Indigenous…