Legacy Schools
High School Artist Ambassador Pilot Program
The Downie Wenjack Fund has received a grant from the RBC Foundation to establish an exciting new High School Artist Ambassador Program. In support of RBC Future Launch, through the generous support of RBC Foundation, DWF is partnering with Canadian artists to visit high schools to inspire leadership and forward the reconciliation journey of the school community.
Artists will share their music and stories through performances and/or workshops, empowering leadership of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. This program will build upon the work of the existing Legacy Schools program, where educators and students support reconciliation through education, awareness and reconciliACTIONs
The Artist Ambassador program aims to:
- Increase awareness and education regarding the history and legacy of residential schools
- Build a national movement of empowered Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to create positive social change, furthering reconciliation
- Engage Artists/Leaders as Ambassadors to promote reconciliation and inspire students to be change-makers
- Use arts, music and role models in the classroom to connect with students about the power of the arts to create social change (ie. Secret Path)
The program is currently in pilot phase, with five engagements planned in February and March and plans to launch a full program upon completion of the evaluation of the pilot.
Arkells at St Francis Xavier HS in Ottawa ON on February 15, 2019 to kick off the Legacy Schools High School Artist Ambassador Program
Angela Gladue with students from PACE (Peterborough Alternative and Continuing Education) on February 20, 2019
Adrian Sutherland of Midnight Shine with students from Humberside Collegiate Institute on February 28, 2019.
DJ Kookum with students from GP Vanier Secondary in Comox BC, March 2019.
