Indigenous Hip-Hop Trailblazer Drezus Hosts National Music Centre Panel on Music and Reconciliation on September 30

Studio Bell opens its doors for free on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous artists sharing stories, songs, and perspectives

(Calgary, AB — September 8, 2025) The National Music Centre (NMC) will mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 by opening Studio Bell with free admission. To honour the day, NMC will present a powerful panel discussion led by acclaimed Indigenous hip-hop artist Drezus, exploring the power of music for reconciliation.

“For me, music has always been a tool for storytelling and speaking the truth,” said Drezus. “On this day, I’m honoured to be among other artists who are using their voices to heal, to teach, and to inspire. This panel is about showing how our culture and our music can help lead Canada toward a more honest and united future."

Panelists include Rex Smallboy a pioneering figure in native rap and founding member of War Party, the first Indigenous hip-hop group to break into the mainstream music industry in Canada; Curt Young, an award-winning artist, who utilizes culture as a powerful teaching tool; and Wendy Walker, an award-winning Indigenous songwriter, performer, playwright, and filmmaker whose work weaves together music, storytelling, and cultural truth-telling. Each panelist will also perform one song live.

"National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to listen, reflect, and learn,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO, NMC. “At the National Music Centre, we believe music has the power to open hearts and create pathways to healing. By bringing together powerful Indigenous voices, we hope to amplify their stories and highlight the role of music as a force for reconciliation and understanding."

As part of the day’s activities, NMC will also highlight the updated Speak Up! exhibition, which explores the stories and voices of Indigenous musicians and activists who have used the power of music and art to advocate for social justice, human rights, and cultural resilience. Curated by David McLeod and National Music Centre’s Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee, recent additions to the exhibition include Beatrice Deer, Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, Ray St. Germain, Harry Rusk, and Kelly Fraser, alongside earlier additions Drezus (2023) and War Party (2020). Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibition and reflect on the history and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The Speak Up! exhibition and panel are supported by TD who, in 2025, renewed its support of NMC’s Indigenous programming through the OHSOTO’KINO initiative, so named after a Blackfoot phrase that means ‘to recognize a voice of.’ OHSOTO’KINO is led by NMC’s Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee, who act as a guiding voice for exhibitions and programs at Studio Bell.

About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.

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Media contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Manager, PR and Marketing
National Music Centre
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada