Free Admission to Studio Bell on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Featuring Guest Elder Eldon Weasel Child

Listen, learn, and honour the voices of Indigenous people in Canada on Sept. 30

(Calgary, AB — September 18, 2024) In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, National Music Centre (NMC) will open Studio Bell’s doors with free admission for all visitors, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This day serves as a powerful opportunity to recognize and reflect on the legacy of residential schools, and to listen, learn, and honour the voices of Indigenous people in Canada.

NMC is honoured to welcome Elder Eldon Weasel Child, a respected knowledge keeper of Blackfoot culture from the Siksika Nation and a member of NMC’s Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee. As a musician and cross-cultural educator, Elder Weasel Child brings a wealth of experience and insight into the importance of preserving Indigenous history and traditions. He will deliver a special presentation at 12:00 pm, sharing his unique perspectives on Truth and Reconciliation, and emphasizing the critical role that cultural understanding plays in the healing process.

"We are privileged to have Elder Eldon Weasel Child join us on this important day," said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO, NMC. "His wisdom and dedication to fostering cross-cultural awareness will help visitors reflect on the importance of Canada's reconciliation efforts and the responsibilities we all share in moving forward together."

As part of the day’s activities, NMC will also highlight the updated Speak Up! exhibition, which explores the stories and voices of Indigenous musicians and activists who have used the power of music and art to advocate for social justice, human rights, and cultural resilience. The exhibition now includes new content from 2024 additions Willie Thrasher, Leela Gilday, Edmund Bull, and The Bearhead Sisters. Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibition and reflect on the history and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

In the evening, NMC will host a special concert with renowned Inuk artist and activist Elisapie, known for bringing awareness to the culture, language, and realities of the Northern Arctic Inuit through her music. Tickets for that show are now sold out.

NMC’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events and the Speak Up! exhibition are both supported by TD Bank Group. Since 2022, TD has supported NMC’s Indigenous programming through the OHSOTO’KINO initiative, so named after a Blackfoot phrase that means “to recognize a voice of.” Learn more about the OHSOTO’KINO initiative at studiobell.ca/ohsotokino.

About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.

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Media contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Publicist
National Music Centre
T 403.543.5123
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada