On April 27, we’ll travel to Elsipogtog First Nation for a panel discussion featuring:

• Host: Katherine Carleton, Executive Director of Orchestras Canada
• Marina Milliea, Vice Principal of Elsipogtog Elementary School
• Lenore Augustine, Culture Teacher of Elsipogtog Elementary School
• Nicole MacDonald, Centre Director for Sistema NB, Richibucto and Elsipogtog
• Swan Serna, former Sistema, NB Centre Director

We’ll learn how these inspiring educators and teaching artists are working together, and what they are learning along the way. And we’ll explore how a program whose roots are emphatically elsewhere – Western European via Venezuela! – has evolved to respectfully reflect and engage Mi’kmaq culture and traditions.

The session will include a round table and generous time for questions and exchange, as well. We welcome questions in English, Mi’kmaq, and French.

About Sistema New Brunswick: Sistema NB is Canada’s largest Sistema-inspired program, engaging over 1000 children and youth each day across nine centres and inspiring them to achieve their full potential through learning and performing orchestral music. For more information on Sistema NB, please visit https://sistemanb.ca/

About Orchestras Canada/Orchestres Canada: OC is the national association for Canadian orchestras. Our mission is to support, connect, and challenge Canadian orchestras, helping them accomplish together what they cannot do alone. We have 140 member orchestras, from volunteer-driven community groups to internationally-renowned ensembles. To learn more about OC, please visit https://oc.ca/en/