Donated fiddles pour in after call for instruments from Manitoba First Nation

Second-hand fiddles, guitars and morepoured into the CBC Manitoba headquarters in Winnipeg this week after one First Nation put out a call forinstrument donationsfor its new after-school music program.

"Wow, it's a huge help for our community especially for the students," ateary-eyedFerdinandAyo, the new principal of DonaldAhmoSchool on theO-Chi-Chak-Ko-SipiFirst Nation, said upon seeing the instruments Friday.

"They'll be surprised. I'm excited to show them."

In total, 13 fiddleswere donated in the span of five days.

• Manitoba First Nation wants used fiddles to help keep students on right path

Ayo got his start atthekindergarten-to-Grade 8 school on Sept. 19. He previously worked as a special education teacher at a school inGods Lake Narrows, a fly in community in northern Manitoba located about 550 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

"I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the students," he said.

Noting a gap in extracurricular activities for youth inO-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi, he started looking for volunteers in the community to help him come with ideas to keep kids busy and on the right path.

EdDesjarlais, an educational assistant at the school, answered the call andoffered to teach fiddle lessonsfor students after school. Not having the tools to do the job, the pair appealed to the generosity ofManitobans, who didn't disappoint.

"It comes from the heart; it meansa lot for us," Ayo added. "I have a huge heart for all the donors."

In addition to the fiddles, six guitars, onebanjo, one saxophone, one trumpet and one clarinet were donated;manycame with heart-warming letters from the previous owners.

"Let yourself be inspired by what's around you. Let yourinner creativity show yourself through the music you play. Let your imagination take you to places you never thought possible. It's yours to discover. Enjoy," read one letter.

Former Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra cellist TomWatrousdropped off two professional-grade violins Friday that belonged to himand his wife.

Sharon Tod was alsomoved by the plea fromAyo and Desjarlais.

Tod has eight nieces and nephews she said had the advantage of music, art and sports programs growing up in Winnipeg.

"I think [they] greatly enhanced their lives, and I think all kids should have those opportunities," she said.

"From everything I've read, music programs actually help kids academically, they can help keep kids out of trouble, raise their self esteem and I think just bring joy to their lives."

Rather than donate a used instrument, Tod went out and bought a brand new miniature fiddle.

Chief Stephanie Blackbird was in Winnipeg Friday and was as taken aback by the donations as Ayo.

"I'm speechless. I can't believe it," she said. "I'm so grateful ... I have no words for the generosity."

Blackbird said students don't have much to do after school in her community, and she has high hopes the instrument donations and music programs will help change that.

"They're going to be so happy," she said. "It's going to be a good step forward."

Ayo added that he wants to get his young budding musicians to play at theNorthern Manitoba Trapper's Festival in The Pas this winter.