ArtsCan Circle

09/30/2026

There is a quiet that settles over the north in late September. The geese are leaving. The muskeg turns the colour of rust. And across the country, families pull on orange shirts and remember.

For generations, children were taken from their homes and sent far away. Many came home without their language, traditions and culture. Too many never came home at all.

When a young person picks up a paintbrush or a guitar for the first time, a story finds its way out, one that is theirs to tell. Every child matters, and every child’s voice deserves to be heard.

Today, wear orange. Listen to a survivor. Learn whose land you are standing on. And keep learning long after the shirt goes back in the drawer.

If today brings up difficult feelings for you or someone you love, the Indian Residential School Survivors and Family Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 1-866-925-4419.

09/28/2026

In 2023, a donor gave a baby grand piano to Artscan Circle, and it made its way north to Pikangikum.

Today, students are still playing it in their community. This is what it sounds like when one of them plays it at their annual recital.

This young musician took part in the Artscan Circle Music Program, and watching them at this piano is exactly why we do what we do.

Thank you to the donor who gave this piano, the volunteers who helped bring it north, North Star Air for flying it over the lake, the Enchokay Birchstick staff who helped make it happen, and our funders for their continued support.

Follow along, because the next student takes the bench soon.

09/16/2026

Huge thanks to the Kempenfelt Rotary Club and Garrett Lambert and the Countymen for an unforgettable night in Barrie that helps bring art and music to remote northern Indigenous communities.

Full story on our blog 👇



https://www.artscancircle.ca/blog/rotary-club-of-barrie-kempenfelt-donates-2000-to-support-northern-youth-music-thanks-to-garett-and-the-countrymen

09/11/2026

Fiddles are a big part of Artscan Circle. Last December, with the help of our friends at D'Addario, we shipped 38 violins to communities across the Yukon, helping expand access to music education and cultural expression for young people in the North. These instruments are being distributed in Carcross, Old Crow, Mayo, and Dawson City through our valued community partners, The Fiddleheads and the North Klondike Highway Music Society, both of which operate on a 100% volunteer basis and are deeply committed to nurturing local music culture. 🎻 Stay tuned, or sign up for our newsletter via our website, to learn about our fall instrument drive happening in downtown Toronto!

09/11/2026

Ever wonder what it looks like when a guitar, a fiddle, or a paintbrush reaches a Northern Indigenous community that’s a plane ride from the nearest city?

For over 20 years, Artscan Circle has brought artist-led music, art, dance, and storytelling programs to youth in remote fly-in communities across northern Canada. We’ve reached over 20,000 kids from coast to coast, and we’re just getting started.

Follow us to see the workshops, the artists, and the moments that make this work so meaningful.

ArtsCan Circle is a creative bridge between Indigenous communities and Canada’s capacity for change. We invoke dialogue about the past, present and future we share through the restorative power of art. Our programs are a canvas for youth and a model for co-creation under Truth and Reconciliation, ...

09/09/2026

As classrooms fill up across the North this September, we're reflecting on just how much reach our programming has had this year, 3,000 + youth living in northern, fly-in communities. 🙏 None of this happens without our artists, partners, and supporters. If you've walked alongside us this year, thank you.

08/07/2026

Wildfires displaced them — not their voices.

For over 20 years, Artscan Circle has brought artist-led programming to remote northern Indigenous communities. Since 2022, we've responded when families are displaced by wildfires and crisis — and right now, families are in hotels and shelters across Canada, far from home with no timeline for return.

Your gift funds instruments, art supplies, and artists working directly with displaced children and youth.

Click below to donate
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/artscan-circle/campaign/emergency-relief-for-indigenous-wildfire-evacuees/

07/31/2026

Dancing Through It: Powwow Workshop Brings Culture and Joy to Kashechewan Youth

Collaborating with the incredible MeLor Kids Zone Team, Artscan Circle offered a Kids Powwow Dancing Workshop for youth from Kashechewan First Nation over two days in June.

Read the full blog here:

Collaborating with the incredible MeLor Kids Zone Team, Artscan Circle offered a Kids Powwow Dancing Workshop for youth from Kashechewan First Nation over two days in June.

07/21/2026

A Night to Remember: Mattmac Brings Live Music to Graduation in Pikangikum

For the graduating students of Eenchokay Birchstick School in Pikangikum, Ontario, this year's graduation and prom became something they will carry with them for years to come. Thanks to a partnership made possible by Artscan Circle and TD Bank Group, acclaimed artist Mattmac travelled to the remote community to give a live performance in celebration of the graduates and their families.

Read the full story on our blog:

For the graduating students of Eenchokay Birchstick School in Pikangikum, Ontario, this year's graduation and prom became something they will carry with them for years to come. Thanks to a partnership made possible by Artscan Circle and TD Bank Group, acclaimed artist Mattmac travelled to the remote

07/02/2026

Big news! TD Bank has donated $150,000 to bring Artscan Circle creative arts & music programming to Pikangikum First Nation — a fly-in Ojibwe community where access is a challenge and opportunity is everything.

Read the full story here: https://www.artscancircle.ca/blog/td-bank-group-donates-150000-to-support-creative-arts-workshops-for-northern-indigenous-youth

Three-year commitment through TD Bank Group brings music and arts programming to Pikangikum First Nation in Northwestern Ontario