By Sean Coombs
Expo Reporter
OSAKA, Japan — A youth choir from British Columbia used its time at Expo to promote the Canada pavilion themes of Indigenous reconciliation and youth-to-youth connections between Canada and Japan.
After a jam-packed lineup of Indigenous musical events in mid-August, the pavilion carried on the theme through a series of performances by the Richmond Youth Honour Choir from Richmond B.C.
The choir, made up of public school students from various Richmond schools, focused its performances on singing Indigenous songs from around the world, carrying on the theme of Indigenous representation seen in many of the pavilion’s earlier performances.
The choir also included in its repertoire songs from BC Indigenous peoples.
Heidi Epp, the conductor and artistic director of the choir said that while performing at the Expo has been a whirlwind for everyone in the choir, they’ve still managed to sing their hearts out for the Japanese audiences.
“We are doing the best that we can, and every tour you go on you have challenges that you’ve got to rise to,” Epp said, referencing the scorching heat the choir has had to endure during its performances. “I think these guys have risen to it extraordinarily well.”
Soprano Grace Brandeis agreed, saying that she’s proud to promote Indigenous culture with their performances.
“I love all the songs that we’re singing,” Brandeis said. “I think my favourite song so far has been a Polynesian song we’ve sung a few times.”
Fellow soprano Aikum Binder said that working towards justice for Indigenous peoples is what she hopes her singing achieves.
“I do hope that Truth and Reconciliation can be achieved and that our performances can help,” Binder said. “I remember how Heidi was talking a lot about how the arrangement that we’re doing has a pennywhistle which is a European instrument alongside an Indigenous traditional drum and it’s meant to represent the reconciliation between both cultures.”
The choir has had a chance to learn about Japanese culture too, as the members have been staying with host families in the Kansai area through their connections to the Wakayama Children’s Choir with which they are twinned.
While their time in Japan was short, Epp says they’re visit was still impactful.
“I think music is one of the strongest healers and uniters of community,” Epp said. “When we sing each other’s stories, we develop empathy for each other, we develop curiosity and understanding, and for me it’s one of the best ways to develop community.”
The choir is now back in Canada safely, despite being split up into two different flights due to the recent Air Canada strike.