Welcome and Introduction from project co-partners, Cara Loft and Kira Omelchenko

Nov. 7, 2022

Welcome and Introduction from project co-partners, Cara Loft and Kira Omelchenko

Welcome to Ka’shatsténshera: The Power and Unity of Music and a coming together of Laurier Indigenous music makers and the Laurier Symphony Orchestra! Ka’shatsténshera means power/unity in the Kanenkehake (Mohawk) language, and this encompasses the vision and purpose of this project we wish to bring to the community this evening. This project has been in the works for two years and we are excited to finally share it with a live audience and to celebrate the power of connection and collaboration.

Our project vision is to bring together the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities at Laurier in a mutual music sharing and reconciliatory music creation process. We use both traditional Indigenous hand drumming, shakers and singing; as well as traditional symphonic orchestral instruments to co-create a communal and tangible piece of music that harnesses the power of cross-cultural collaboration and friendship. The goal is to bring together Indigenous music makers, Indigenous students, and the Laurier Symphony Orchestra and co-create a one-of-a-kind collaborative musical piece. Our project aims to empower Indigenous student leaders and engage with Indigenous Elders, Indigenous students, and non-Indigenous students by co-creating a symphonic orchestra piece. Participating students have jointly collaborated and will perform an “Indigi-orchestral” (a term we created specifically for this project) piece by symphonic composer, Stas Omelchenko, and Indigenous singer/hand drummer, Cara Loft.

Fourteen self-identifying Indigenous students were selected from a pool of applicants to participate in the project. At the beginning stages, the students were engaged in drum-making workshops with Hilton King (facilitator), drum birthing ceremonies with Banakonda Kennedy (Indigenous Elder), hand-drumming workshops with Cara Loft, and composition and music-making workshops with Stas Omelchenko. This fall term, returning students joined the Laurier Symphony Orchestra, under the guidance of Kira Omelchenko, in rehearsals in preparation for this evening’s presentation.

The foundational values for this project are focused on mutual respect, collaboration and friendship. This project is grounded in reconciliation, with the understanding that traditional Indigenous music is socially based and created by a community. We are guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action to lift up the voices of Indigenous students, community members, and to honour the traditional Indigenous music-making process and culture.

Thank you for being part of this moment and for allowing us to share our project and vision.

We hope this project and new “Indigi-orchestral” piece sparks connections and brings inspiration, joy, healing, and hope for the future.

Nia:wen Kowa

Chi Miigwetch

Thank you

~Cara and Kira

THANK YOU to the following project collaborators:

• Cara Loft, project co-leader, traditional Indigenous hand-drummer and singer
• Stas Omelchenko, symphonic composer
• Kira Omelchenko, project co-leader, director of the Laurier Symphony Orchestra
• Generous support and funds from the Laurier Waterloo Student Life Levy (SLL)
• Laurier Indigenous Student Centre partners: Emily Daniel, Margaret Neveau, Corrie Daniels
• Laurier Indigenous Student participants: Hannah Blackburn, Linda Capp, Soleil Carroll, Adrienne Clarke, Kat Elms, Emily Granville, Charlotte Knight, Codi Mawbey, Jazlyn O’Bonsawin, Brandy Pitt, Trinity Sheppard, Eliza Thomas, Chelsea Watton, Levi Wild
• Hilton King, drum-maker facilitator
• Banakonda Kennedy, Indigenous Elder
• Laurier Symphony Orchestra
• Laurier Faculty of Music
• Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner, Dean of Laurier Faculty of Music
• Aviel Kurulkar, videographer/film editor
• Lani Crowell, marketing, PR, flyer designs
• Ying Ying Pan, concert slide show
• Bianca’s Pizza
• Laurier Food Services
• Project T-shirt by Civilian Printing
• Project buttons by ArtworkByKevin@Etsy
• Project Logo by Cara Loft
• Poem, Narration, Song Lyrics and translations by Cara Loft