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

OLI brings professional dance to Aboriginal communities across Canada through our intensive, high-school credit program. OLI hires the most talented dancers and choreographers in the mainstream industry to travel into each community where youth engage in dance on a bi-weekly basis for nine months out of the year. 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.