Raven Reid Joins NMC Initiative for Healing Through Music

URGENT UPDATE: The National Music Centre (NMC) in Calgary has launched a groundbreaking initiative that empowers Indigenous musicians, including survivor Raven Reid, to create impactful music. This program, known as Ohsoto’kino, is currently underway this month, providing seven artists with the platform to develop their skills and share their stories.

Raven Reid, a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation and a Sixties Scoop survivor, is using her music to confront her painful past. “I was taken from my family, stolen by the RCMP officers and social workers at the time,” Reid shared in an exclusive interview with CTV News. At just four years old, she was placed in a children’s group home, separated from her biological family. “Everybody was adopted out to different families, and I was adopted with my sister,” she recounted.

Reid’s story is not just a personal narrative; it reflects broader issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada. As the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation approaches, she urges Canadians to engage with these difficult truths. “Truth and reconciliation begins with truth,” she emphasized. “What I really want is for people just to listen and to have open minds and realize that life for Indigenous people on treaty lands is not the same as somebody who’s not Indigenous.”

The Ohsoto’kino program is a vital step towards healing and empowerment for Indigenous artists, allowing them to address their histories through their craft. The initiative not only supports the production of new music but also fosters community and resilience among participants.

This month’s programming at the NMC is a crucial opportunity for Reid and her fellow artists to share their voices and experiences. As they create, they hope to inspire a wider understanding of the complexities surrounding Indigenous identity and history in Canada.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: As the Ohsoto’kino program progresses, keep an eye on upcoming performances and releases from Raven Reid and other participating artists. Their music promises to challenge perceptions and spark conversations about reconciliation and healing.

For more updates on Raven Reid and the Ohsoto’kino initiative, stay tuned to our live coverage.