Nova Scotia Buzz
Students from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia have come together with students their age in Ukraine to create a music video titled “We are the Love,” aimed at promoting global peace. This project included choirs from Riverside Elementary and Marion Bridge Elementary, along with Mi’kmaw musicians from Eskasoni and students from the Lviv Linguistic Gymnasium in Ukraine.
The initiative was led by Carter Chiasson, a music producer and teacher at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni. He started the Empower Youth Music (EYM) Project, which encourages young artists to use music to express social messages. The project name, EYM, means “I am here” in Mi’kmaw.
WATCH: We Are the Love (for Ukraine) – Music Video
For this song, two local artists, Devon Paul and Emma Stevens, were key contributors. Paul, a rapper, handled the verses while Stevens and the students sang the chorus which focuses on spreading a message of peace and unity. They lyrics inspire people to live harmoniously and support each other in times of conflict.
Explaining complex issues like the war in Ukraine to elementary students was challenging, but integrating these discussions into the music project helped make understanding it easier. The approach allowed the students to learn about global issues while contributing to a meaningful cause.
The projects finale was a professional video shoot, an exciting and memorable experience for the students. They were excited to see the final product and to watch themselves alongside their Ukrainian peers, which made the experience very impactful.
