NMC and TD Launch Music Opportunities for Indigenous Artists

By External Source

Museum and performance venue National Music Centre (NMC) in Calgary has teamed up with TD Bank to launch OHSOTO’KINO, an initiative to create additional opportunities for Indigenous artists to record music and develop production skills.

“This new program stream is another example of how the National Music Centre is delivering on a national commitment to reconciliation through music,” said NMC president and CEO Andrew Mosker in a statement.

“As Canada’s home for music, NMC recognizes that the music of Indigenous artists is a critical verse in Canada’s song. With TD’s generous support, we hope to propel the careers of Indigenous artists by creating opportunities and offering a platform to share their musical traditions and diverse perspectives.”

OHSOTO’KINO is a Blackfoot phrase that means ‘to recognize a voice of.’ The NMC resides on the Blackfoot territory.

TD already supports NMC’s Speak Up! annual exhibition at Studio Bell — highlighting Indigenous artists making social and political impacts across Canada, such as Buffy Sainte-Marie and Tanya Tagaq — and OHSOTO’KINO is another indicator of the financial institution’s commitment.

“TD shares NMC’s vision of amplifying Indigenous voices and sharing their stories to educate and encourage positive change,” said Robert Ghazal, TD senior vice president for branch banking in the Prairie Region, in a statement.

“We know that music has the power to inspire, connect and enlighten our communities. That's why the OHSOTO-KINO initiative is important for developing Indigenous artists and creating music that can help unite communities and foster reconciliation among Canadians. It's also a critical way to introduce Canadians to the next generation of talented musicians from Indigenous communities." – Continue reading Mason Bugaresti’s feature on SamaritanMag.