Instruments of Support: Artscan Circle's Response to Wildfire Evacuees

During the summer, our friends at Xpera: Emergency Security Management contacted Artscan Circle to assist the team in Niagara Falls, which was supporting several Indigenous communities from Manitoba who had been evacuated due to the devastating wildfires threatening their homes.

Thanks to the generosity of Canadians and our funding partners, Artscan Circle was able to contribute by providing 18 musical instruments and six beautifully crafted walking sticks to the evacuees from Split Lake and Pukatawagan. Xpera staff member Abdul coordinated with our Executive Director, Laura Vukson, and volunteer  Morris George-Ellington to collect the donated instruments from our locker in Newmarket. These instruments were then delivered to the evacuees in Niagara Falls. 

Instrument List to Manitoba Evacuees: 
• 7 guitars (acoustic and electric) 
• 6  walking sticks 
• 4 amps 
• 3 keyboards with stands
• 2 guitars stands
• 1 drum set 
• 1 stage performance kit
• 1 violin 
• 1 banjo

Communities Impacted:
Fort Albany First Nation (ON)
Attawapiskat First Nation (ON) 
Wabaseemoong Independent Nation (ON)
Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake, MB) 
Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan, MB) 
Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake, MB) 
Sandy Lake First Nation (ON) 
Keewaywin First Nation (ON) 
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (MB)

Testimonial 

“As we reflect on the recent evacuation season, we are deeply thankful for the tremendous role you played in ensuring our guests’ stay in Niagara Falls was marked by warmth, care, and compassion. Your heartfelt efforts truly made a difference, helping to create meaningful memories for our guests during an extraordinarily stressful time.

The instrument room quickly became a favourite amongst the musicians in the community!  All instruments were, with much enthusiasm, brought back to the community.

Ekaterina Rodin,
Indigenous Relations Manager, Xpera Emergency Management