Windsor Symphony Orchestra and Sultans of String Unite for Indigenous Truth-Telling Event
The Windsor Symphony Orchestra is set to partner with the acclaimed Sultans of String and a diverse array of First Nations artists from across Turtle Island for a powerful double performance of the multimedia spectacle titled Walking Through Fire. This groundbreaking event is scheduled to take place on April 18 and 19, 2026, at the historic Capitol Theatre in Windsor, Ontario.
A Collaborative Effort for Truth and Reconciliation
Led by the Sultans of String, a Billboard-charting ensemble and six-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner, the production promises an immersive experience blending Métis fiddling, rumba rhythms, rock influences, an East Coast Kitchen party atmosphere, and the resonant drumming traditions of the Pacific Northwest. The event is under the artistic direction of Windsor Symphony Orchestra maestro Geoffrey Larson, ensuring a seamless fusion of orchestral and contemporary sounds.
Chris McKhool, bandleader of the Toronto-based Sultans of String, emphasized the critical importance of this initiative. "We know that as a society we can’t move ahead without acknowledging and reflecting on the past," McKhool stated. "Before reconciliation can occur, the full truth of the Indigenous experience in this country needs to be told. We’ve been calling on Indigenous artists to share their stories, experiences, and lives, so we settler Canadians can continue our learning about the history of genocide, residential schools, and the inter-generational impacts of colonization."
Featured Indigenous Artists and Performers
The event will showcase collaborations with prominent Indigenous talents, including:
- Coast Tsm’syen elder and singer-songwriter Shannon Thunderbird
- Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk of the Métis Fiddler Quartet
- Ojibwe/Finnish singer-songwriter Marc Meriläinen, known professionally as Nadjiwan
Additional guests will contribute both in person and virtually, such as Chippewa/Anishinaabe elder and poet Dr. Duke Redbird, the Northern Cree Pow Wow group, and others who will appear on large screens, enhancing the multimedia aspect of the performance.
Inspired by Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
Walking Through Fire was conceived in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action, which advocate for collaborative efforts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to forge a path forward. Organizers highlight that a central theme of the event is the necessity of truth-telling as a precursor to genuine reconciliation.
Dr. Duke Redbird articulated this perspective clearly: "The place that we have to start is with truth. Reconciliation will come sometime way in the future, perhaps, but right now, truth is where we need to begin the journey with each other. As human beings, we have to acquire that truth."
Event Details and Ticket Information
The performances are set for Saturday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Windsor’s Capitol Theatre. Tickets are available through the Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s official website, windsorsymphony.com, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with this culturally significant and artistically rich production.
