Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra gears up to highlight the story of the Ojibwe Horses

A journey delving deep into history, culture and reconciliation set to the backdrop of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), is set to bring a remarkable story of Ojibwe Horses to Winnipeg, galloping into the hearts of audiences.

The Spirit Horse Returns, which premiered in 2022, tells the story of The Ojibwe Horses, a breed that once roamed the northern forests of Canada, before facing near extinction

“We do have a few of them living here in Manitoba Now and so this seemed like a wonderful way to expose people to Indigenous culture and this wonderful traditional way of life which is not very well known,” said Ken MacDonald, Associate Principal Horn with WSO.

“I do live on this farm with these horses, none of it made up I don’t think any of us could make up this story if we tried.”

The production was developed by the creative team in Wasauksing First Nation, where they were invited to meet real Ojibwe Horse, it music, storytelling, and vibrant visuals, that takes the audiance on a journey with a hornist in the orchestra, who receives an Ojibwe Horse and learns about the breed’s history from an Indigenous knowledge keeper

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“The dramatic story of how they were rescued and people starting to care for the horses is a really big part of what were sharing in the music,” said MacDonald.

Joining MacDonald on stage will be storyteller Jodi Contin and visual artist Rhonda Snow, who both have personal and cultural ties to the horses, but were unable to attend rehearsal due to complications with flights in Toronto

Tickets for the February 22^nd performance are available online.