National Arts Centre Orchestra to Feature Mi’kmaw Music in Nova Scotia Tour

The Ottawa-based National Arts Centre Orchestra is celebrating its 100th tour with special performances in Nova Scotia, highlighting Indigenous music and culture. Mi’kmaw singer-songwriter Emma Stevens, now 23, who first gained attention for her Mi’kmaw-language cover of the Beatles’ Blackbird, will perform alongside the orchestra. Stevens, who grew up speaking Mi’kmaw at home but lost some fluency after learning English, has been actively reconnecting with her language through music. She will perform both her viral Mi’kmaw rendition of Blackbird and The Ballad of Shubenacadie, a song co-written about the residential school system, at concerts in Eskasoni, Halifax, and Wolfville. Also featured is Wolastoqiyik composer Jeremy Dutcher, a two-time Polaris Music Prize winner and NAC Award recipient, who will present traditional Indigenous songs adapted for symphonic performance. Both Stevens and Dutcher emphasize the importance of preserving language and culture, and audiences can expect a celebration of Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqiyik music, storytelling, and heritage. The collaboration reflects a meaningful recognition of Indigenous artistry within Canada’s classical music scene.