language and song at the library

I will never forget one visit to the Ottawa Public library. I went with my two young sons around 2019-2020- not sure. It was a cold winter afternoon and I was eager to get the kids out of the house. We sat there on the library floor starring up at the musicians, instruments in hand, singing into the microphones. They sang in Cree, English and French. Their voices carried messages of hope with sparkling eyes and a deep moving passion. I looked behind me and there was a row of older looking folks, all sitting on chairs. They too had grins on their faces and squinting, sparkling eyes-- they appeared to be from the northern part of Canada-- with anoraks embellished with beautiful embroidery. One song, called "We are Human" -- its beat connected me with everyone around me. I remember glancing at this particular audience member from the corner of my eye. He had tears rolling down his cheeks during a sad song then beamed with pride when they sang in his language. I was so moved by their songs that I went after the performance and bought a couple of their CDs. They were generous and kind-- and gave me one for free. This was the first time I had heard the band Twin Flames. I had looked it up randomly on the OPL website and had found the event at Rockcliffe Library. After the event-- we visited the rest of the library and took out a number of books. What an unexpected and wonderful experience at a library.