By Diary Marif
New Canadian Media

A Vancouver-based youth choir is connecting newcomers to the country by teaching them about Indigenous music and culture.

The group, Vancouver Youth Choir Kindred, is offering a free six-week program beginning next month to anyone new to Canada aged 14 to 22.

Molly Bushell, the choir’s VYC Kindred project manager, said moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, especially for young people because cultural and language barriers can make it hard to relate to others.

“Through VYC Kindred, we hope that we can provide newcomers a space that makes them feel welcome, and encourages them to build deepened connections with each other and the Indigenous community,” she said.

Since Indigenous music is taught through oral tradition, passed on by singing or playing rather than noted scores, choir members don’t need verbal and written English.

“Indigenous drumming is also part of the teachings through Kindred, and participants learn the basics of rhythms in music by copying the instructor and keeping beat,” she said.

During the past three sessions, at least 125 youth who are new to Canada and from various backgrounds have been guided and mentored by Indigenous music instructor and composer Deanna Gestrin and musician Russell Wallace, said Bushell.

Gestrin said the program teaches newcomers not only to help make cross-cultural connections but also to break down barriers by sharing their own cultures and stories, making new connections and finding a place to belong.

Bushell said newcomer youth are not typically exposed to Indigenous culture when they arrive in Canada. For most of the participants, it will be the first time they hear in detail about Indigenous culture.

According to the 2021 Census, there were 1.8 million Indigenous people, representing five percent of the total Canadian population.