A moving orchestral concert experience for audiences of all ages, The Spirit Horse Returns follows the journey of a young horse, Asemaa’kwe, who finds her way to a new home through a real-life network of caretakers. Along the way, audiences discover the remarkable true history of the Ojibwe Spirit Horses through stories and music—some passed down across generations—becoming part of a shared experience of relationship, responsibility, and return. With vivid artwork, original songs, and a lush original score, the production captivates and moves audiences of all ages.
“I believe that this is important work, and it needs to be placed in front of audiences. It is joy, it is sorrow, and it is human, and it is imperative that we tell these stories and these truths.”
– Christopher Young, Kamloops Symphony Orchestra
Jodi Contin, Anishinaabe grandmother and knowledge keeper, welcomes audiences to walk the historic paths of the Ojibwe Spirit Horses in Wasauksing First Nation. Through Jodi’s vivid hand drumming, original songs, and storytelling, audiences encounter a living relationship with the land and these small, resilient horses known as traditional helpers and spirit guides to all people.
Featuring the gorgeous woodland-style art of Ojibwe Horse breed expert Rhonda Snow, with music by Andrew Balfour and a sweeping orchestral score by Juno Award-winning composer Kevin Lau, this emotional journey through time offers orchestras, schools, families, and communities a powerful shared experience rooted in truth and reconciliation.
“A more beautiful, timely and engaging production would be difficult to imagine.”
— Angela Birdsell, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
True stories that cross many generations
The journey begins on the old trails of Wasauksing First Nation, where the Ojibwe Spirit Horses are recalled as living relatives: helpers, guides, and companions whose story reaches from family memory into the wider history of this land.
We meet a young horse, Asemaa’kwe, who finds her way to a new home through a real-life network of caretakers. Moving through time, audiences discover the remarkable true history of the Ojibwe Spirit Horses through stories and music—some passed down across many generations. The horses carry audiences through the upheaval of settlement and into unexpected chapters of North American history, from the Gold Rush to the Pony Express. The story opens outward to the great Horse Nations of the prairies, then gathers in the warmth of a Métis kitchen party, where fiddle, dance, humour, and celebration reveal the many Indigenous relationships with horses.
An inspiring prophecy points to a choice still before us: whether people of all Nations will come to care for one another and for the land we share. Asemaa’kwe’s story becomes more than one horse’s journey as audiences join in song, and all are invited into a circle of care that helps carry her forward.
The journey culminates in the rescue of the last Ojibwe Spirit Horses and the birth of a new foal—a celebration of return and renewal, and a reminder that reconciliation is lived through relationship, responsibility, and action.
A Collaborative Creative Team
The Spirit Horse Returns brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous co-creators in a collaboration rooted in relationship, responsibility, and care.
At the heart of the work are the original songs and storytelling of Jodi Contin of Wasauksing First Nation, an Anishinaabe grandmother and knowledge keeper whose family and community history is connected to the Ojibwe Spirit Horses. The visual world is shaped by the Woodland-style paintings of Rhonda Snow, an Anishinaabe artist, Ojibwe Spirit Horse breed expert, and recipient of Rare Breeds Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Musical themes and artistic support were contributed by Andrew Balfour, of Cree descent, and woven together with Jodi’s songs in a lush orchestral score by Kevin Lau, a first-generation Canadian and JUNO Award–winning composer.
“The journey of the Spirit Horse is a remarkable learning path experience: we can open our hearts to a majestic story that will bring us pride, wonder and healing.”
Elder Alison Cox
Jodi shares these stories alongside non-Indigenous narrator Ken MacDonald, a Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra hornist, National Arts Centre Teaching Artist, longtime Ojibwe Horse Society board member, and real-life caretaker of Asemaa’kwe. The collaboration reflects a shared belief that reconciliation is lived through responsibility, action, and care.
Proven with presenters across Canada
“The feedback from the attendees of that performance has been off the charts and they are actually offering unprompted to help us build this audience so others can experience concerts like this.”
– Kamloops Symphony Orchestra
The Spirit Horse Returns has connected strongly with presenters seeking work that is artistically rich, deeply moving, and meaningful for communities. The production bridges mainstage, family, and educational programming, offering orchestras a powerful shared experience rooted in North American history, Indigenous knowledge, music, culture, and reconciliation. A combination of gentle humour and wisdom has endeared the show to audiences of all ages.
Return engagements include:
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Previous presenters include:
Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Kamloops Symphony, Stratford Symphony, and Festival of the Sound.
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Instrumentation
Full orchestra, reduced orchestra, and chamber versions are available.
Runtime: 70 minutes
(A 55 minute educational version is available on demand)
Spiral-bound books for each musician are supplied. A score with all text cues is supplied, as well as online links to rehearsal resources for the use of the musicians, conductor, and stage crew.
Options to add Indigenous, local, and youth performers (e.g., fiddle, dancers, soloists) and artwork.
Technical
This performance includes two performers supplied by The Spirit Horse Returns.
A sound system, projector, screen, and computer system for visual art is required. Visual art is supplied as multiple movie cues in a QLab environment. A musical theatre stage manager to call multiple cues must be provided. A cue sheet and script are supplied.
Lighting can be varied to suit the facility.
Educational Resources
A curriculum-aligned resource package developed by art and music educational specialists is available, and is suitable for use by non-specialist teachers.
Lesson plans and content for Grades K-12 include:
• Instruments of the orchestra, musical forms and expression
• Introduction to Woodlands Indigenous art
• Indigenous songs and forms
• Truth and Reconciliation resources
• Trauma-informed resources and suggestions for educators
A pre-show activity guide suitable for younger audience members is also available.
Development & Support
The Spirit Horse Returns was developed with support from the Canada Council for the Arts and Festival of the Sound, including creative workshops with the co-creators and work in Wasauksing First Nation supported by local Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The work premiered with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 2022.
Major funding and support was provided by the Canada Council for the Arts and Festival of the Sound.
Special thanks to the Richardson Foundation for support of the educational guide, the National Arts Centre of Canada Music Alive Program, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Credits: Script by Jodi Contin, Ken MacDonald, and Rhonda Snow. Original songs by Jodi Contin, with music and consultation by Andrew Balfour. Score by Kevin Lau. Original art and visual direction by Rhonda Snow. Consulting Elders and Knowledge Keepers: Dan Thomas, Alison Cox, Anita Chechock, Stan Cuthand, Doug Cuthand, Norman Jordan, Skuya Fasthorse, and Wabishki-anaang.
© 2022 Spirit Horse Productions. Video and photography © Ken MacDonald. Artwork © Rhonda Snow.