Drumming in Indigenous Voices to Music Education Circles on Indigenous Terms (DIIV)

Drumming in Indigenous Voices to Music Education Circles on Indigenous Terms (DIIV) is an interdisciplinary research project involving specialists in music education, indigenous education, community music, music composition, indigenous languages, ethnomusicology, curriculum and pedagogy, and indigenous studies from 14 North American post-secondary institutions. It is also cross-sectoral, drawing on the expertise of members of the Aboriginal community, education sciences and music education, as well as partner groups from Canada, Mexico and the United States. It will provide students with a high-quality systematic research training experience and create leadership opportunities for emerging Aboriginal scholars and community members.   

At Université Laval in Quebec, we’d like to work in partnership with the UNESCO TCPPDMEE Chair (Transmission culturelle chez les Premiers Peuples comme dynamique de mieux-être et d’empowerment) to build a special relationship with Quebec’s aboriginal nations. Our aim is to enhance the transmission of Aboriginal knowledge by giving it the recognition it deserves, both within music courses in schools and private music schools, and within the community. We want to create new links between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals, and explore the wellbeing associated with intercultural relations. We seek to collaborate in developing approaches and content that take into account the way music is taught and transmitted within these musical cultures. This large-scale project is made possible by the direction of Anita Prest and the participation of several co-investigators, notably Valerie Peters. The project is funded by SSHRC to the tune of $2.5 million.