Amazon Future Engineer and TakingITGlobal have announced the return of the 2024 edition of "Ta voix est puissante," an educational program and remix contest that will help intermediate and high school students, as well as CEGEP students, learn to code using songs from Indigenous artists. With a goal of reaching over 20,000 students in 2024, the program aims to inspire young people and prepare them for future careers after engaging over 15,000 students in 2023.
"Chez Amazon, nous sommes déterminés à faire en sorte que les enfants et les jeunes adultes apprennent des compétences qui leur ouvriront de nouvelles portes," said Cynthia Caglar, Director of Amazon Future Engineer Canada. "Ta voix est puissante introduces students, students, and teachers to coding, while showing them how music and technology can be used to advance social justice, which can help them see new possibilities for studies and careers."
"We are proud to continue our work with Ta voix est puissante for a third consecutive year, as well as using music to spark conversations and synergies around the Indigenous experience in Canada," stated John Murphy, Director of Music, Canada, Amazon Music.
The curriculum of Ta voix est puissante, developed by TakingITGlobal, offers eight modules that teach coding basics while engaging students in conversations about the experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada. Students can remix songs from Indigenous artists like Jayli Wolf, Dakota Bear, Samian, and Twin Flames using EarSketch, a free online code editor available in French, English, Ojibwe, and Inuktitut.
"Ta voix est puissante allows more diverse voices to resonate in a sector that is shaping the future of Canada but currently does not reflect our society," said Christine M'lot, the Anishinaabe educator who led the curriculum development for TakingITGlobal.
The deadline to submit projects for the 2024 contest is May 31, 2024, with winners to be selected in June. Aysanabee, a Juno-nominated artist, will provide music for the curriculum of Ta voix est puissante and join the contest jury. Aysanabee, an Oji-Cree singer-songwriter, received three Juno nominations in 2024 for Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Alternative Album of the Year.
Amazon Music subscribers in Canada can listen to an exclusive playlist titled "Ta voix est puissante," featuring songs from Twin Flames, Jayli Wolf, Dakota Bear, Samian, and other artists highlighted by the program. The playlist explores themes of perseverance and determination, tracing pivotal moments in music history over thirty years.
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