Found in Translation
An evening of music, language, and connection
Thursday
Oct 29, 2026
7:00pm
Venue Baumann Centre
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Join us for a special evening celebrating Found in Translation, a community-driven initiative that brings Indigenous Elders, newcomers to Canada, language speakers, and local artists together through music.
Hear classical Western art songs transformed through Indigenous and newcomer languages, as familiar music takes on new meaning through translation, collaboration, and shared experience. Through performances and conversation, the evening explores the ways music and language can foster belonging, celebrate cultural knowledge, and create connections across communities.
The performance runs approximately 90 minutes, including a 15–20 minute intermission.
Following the performance, audiences are invited to a reception with the Elders, language speakers, and singers. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Found in Translation began as a response to the loss of federal funding for Indigenous language programs at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. Working alongside fluent language speakers and Elders, local singers translated and performed classical Western art songs in Indigenous languages, creating opportunities for intergenerational dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange.
The project has since expanded through a partnership with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, bringing Indigenous, newcomer, and settler communities together through shared performances, artist collaborations, and culturally guided gatherings. At the heart of the initiative is a simple idea: that music and language can become meeting places for cultural celebration, relationship-building, and meaningful connection.
Supported by an OPERA America Civic Practice Grant, Found in Translation also asks how opera organizations can centre Indigenous leadership and worldviews, support language revitalization, and engage more deeply with reconciliation.
See all events- Found in Translation
Found in Translation: Bridging cultures and community through song received funding from a Civic Practice Grant from OPERA America's Opera Fund.
Supported by Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia.
Singers
We want to acknowledge the fluent speakers of diverse Indigenous languages for their commitment to language presentation through their support of this program.