Toga da wôhnagabi: Music Creation Residency 2026

Overview  

“Toga da wôhnagabi” (Stories for the future) is a four-week hybrid Indigenous music residency that brings worldviews together from all four corners of Mother Earth. Watched over by Buffalo Spirit, the residency provides musicians and songwriters a transformative space to actively listen and learn from each other in story and song.

Through workshops, studio recording and live performance, the residency gives songwriters space to create and share their stories using language and land teachings in their music creations and performance. Artists will listen to the land speak and use those sounds along with their own Indigenous language sounds to both express and celebrate life and their unique worldviews in a life-affirming and creative gathering space. 

Solo artists or duos are welcome to apply. 

Description

“Toga da wôhnagabi ” (Stories for the future) Residency explores the many facets of musical creation, songwriting, and performance through land-based and embodied methodologies. Participants will:

• Expand their performance skills, active and deep listening, and understanding of music production.
• Engage in faculty-led workshops, group gatherings, and one-on-one sessions with senior faculty.
• Create new works and arrangements while refining their musical abilities.
• Have 24hr access to studios and/or music huts to focus on songwriting and performance preparation.
• Receive a ½-day recording session to capture their work.
• Be part of a supportive community of up to 14 peers.
• Participate in a final music showcase, with up to 10 minutes of stage time or three creative works.

Requirements

Open to Indigenous people from all regions - locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Ideal for Indigenous musicians, singer-songwriters, composers, and creators across all music genres.
• Applicants should have one or more completed projects and be working on a new project.
• Designed for solo artists and duos.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date. 

Domestic and international applications are welcome.

Visa Eligibility Information: 

• Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
• If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.

Inclusivity Statement

We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply.