The National Arts Centre Orchestra is embarking on its 100th tour, a significant milestone that will prominently feature Indigenous artists Mi’kmaw singer-songwriter Emma Stevens and Wolastoqiyik composer Jeremy Dutcher. This tour aims to showcase Indigenous music and culture, fostering a connection between classical performance and traditional heritage.

A Journey of Growth and Recognition

For Emma Stevens, this tour represents a full-circle moment. Nearly nine years ago, she volunteered at an NAC Orchestra performance in Eskasoni First Nation. Now, at 23, she will perform her original compositions with the orchestra, a testament to her artistic development and the growing prominence of Indigenous voices in Canada.

“You’re going to be able to see our culture in full light, and see how amazing and beautiful the Mi’kmaw language and Mi’kmaw music is,” Stevens shared, expressing her excitement to represent her heritage.

From Viral Sensation to Global Advocate

Stevens first gained national attention for her Mi’kmaw rendition of The Beatles' "Blackbird," translated by Katani Julian and Albert Golydada Julian. The song, produced by her music teacher Carter Chiasson, garnered over 1.9 million views on YouTube.

This unique performance caught the eye of Paul McCartney, who praised her version and later shared a moment with her before a Vancouver concert. This event underscored the power of Indigenous languages in music.

Since then, Stevens has become a notable advocate, speaking at the United Nations about issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada, including language loss and missing and murdered Indigenous women.

“I talk about language loss and missing and murdered Indigenous women, and that’s where I love to put my focus,” she stated.

Revitalizing Language Through Music

Stevens is dedicated to revitalizing the Mi’kmaw language. She recently composed a song entirely in Mi’kmaw, an experience that filled her with pride but also highlighted the challenges of maintaining fluency.

“It was very surreal, and I was very proud of myself. But I know there are some inconsistencies in because I’m not as educated in my own language … I want to make sure that the younger generations continue to speak it and hold their language close to them,” she confessed.

While fluent in conversation, Stevens finds writing in Mi’kmaw more challenging. "I can hold a conversation, but writing is very difficult … now that I’m writing I feel more connected,” she explained.

A Collaborative Artistic Vision

The NAC Orchestra tour will feature Stevens performing two songs, including an original co-written with Chiasson about the Canadian residential school system, released on Truth and Reconciliation Day in 2023. She is scheduled to perform in Eskasoni on Tuesday, Halifax on Thursday, and Wolfville on Friday.

The tour also includes Wolastoqiyik composer and singer-songwriter Jeremy Dutcher, a two-time Polaris Music Prize winner from Tobique First Nation. Dutcher is also the 2025 recipient of the NAC Award at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.

Stevens expressed admiration for Dutcher, stating, “He’s an amazing artist. His voice is amazing. The way that he brings himself and he tells his story. It’s so beautiful.”

Celebrating Resilience and Heritage

Dutcher views the tour as a celebration of music, language, and the resilience of Indigenous melodies and people. He credits his mentor, elder Maggie Paul, for inspiring him to champion traditional Indigenous music.

“It was her dream to hear our old songs lifted up by symphonic voices … it is so meaningful to bring an ensemble as fantastic as the NAC Orchestra to Wabanaki Territory, and to have our songs and language underscored by Canada’s orchestra, in our language, in our homelands,” Dutcher remarked.

This collaboration serves as a vital platform for promoting Indigenous musical traditions and languages. The tour is framed not just as a series of concerts, but as an act of cultural preservation and a powerful statement of Indigenous resilience.

The partnership between the NAC Orchestra and artists like Stevens and Dutcher signifies a crucial step in bridging cultural divides and ensuring the continued vitality of Indigenous music and language within Canada's cultural landscape.