MISSION STATEMENT
To provide opportunities for self-expression to Indigenous youth through the arts, while giving Canadians the chance to learn more about Indigenous peoples through performance.
WHAT WE DO
We begin our process with our chosen Indigenous communities and their education staff in the beginning of each academic year. Before we start engaging in artistic activities, OLI meets with the school and community leadership to ensure everyone understands and can prepare for the busy year ahead. With the main art discipline being dance, OLI places a professional dance instructor in the community for 6 months, whereby they work bi-weekly with the youth on new choreography. In between these classes, the teachers and volunteer community members rehearse with the youth to ensure they improve day by day.
The main goal the youth are striving for is to maintain in good academic standing in order to travel to downtown Toronto from their home communities to perform in front of sold-out audiences. These star youth performers get their hair and make-up done by professional artists, rehearse daily with other professional performers, sign autographs for our audience, and conduct media interviews. They also live with the youth from other communities who made it in the OLI program. Youth engage in photography, videography, painting, journal writing and choreography that all contribute to the final performances in Toronto.
Specialties
Indigenous Youth, Dance performances, Education, Community engagement
