The History of Spirit of a Nation
Spirit of a Nation was conceived by Janis Dunning; written with Tom Northcott, Bob Buckley, Marek Norman, David Pickell and directed and choreographed by Jacques Lemay. It is owned and operated by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society (CHAS). CHAS became a registered charitable organization in 1991 and commenced a highly acclaimed national touring program in 1992. The tour went from mile zero on the west coast to mile zero on the east coast and back again, then up to the territories, with 125 company members from every region of Canada.

Titled Experience Canada, the tour included presentations of the show Spirit of a Nation, created by the artistic directors of the Canadian Heritage Arts Society, which reached over 800,000 people in person
at festivals, schools and theatres. It was also nationally televised, featured in the Canada Day stage and television show from Parliament Hill; debuted a David Foster/Roch Voisine song; performed with Céline Dion; and a televised documentary about Experience Canada continued to be aired for the next few years.
This outstandingly successful venture lead to many invitations to return for repeat engagements. Spirit of a Nation had its debut performance in Victoria in 1992. The crowd was on its feet cheering for this invigorating representation of Canada long before the final number. Management had to request the enthusiastic audience to leave the auditorium, 45 minutes after the completion of the Show !

Spirit of a Nation received raves and acclaim across Canada in its 125 days tour in 1992.

The Confederation Centre of the Arts requested that Spirit of a Nation make its home in Charlottetown, P.E.I. for the past summers. The show received extensive media coverage, documentaries, national broadcasts and generated more bus tours and activity downtown. Audiences totaled over 50,000 people in July and August. In 1997 Spirit of a Nation moved back home to Victoria and Vancouver. The company was presented at the Mary Winspear Cultural Centre in Sidney, British Columbia for the summers of 2002 and 2003.

Spirit of a Nation is a vibrant, exhilarating and gripping representation of Canada. Through 45 minutes of original Canadian music, "SPIRIT OF A NATION" inspires audiences to celebrate our land, our cultures, our history and our future!

It presents beautifully orchestrated original Canadian music, song and
dance (running the gamut from folk to rap), and presents a highly entertaining celebration
of Canadian spirit for all ages.

It creates jobs and training for thirty top young Canadians from all regions of Canada who express Canada's heritage cultures through traditional song, dance, music and costume.

This show is performed bilingually by the highest calibre young performers in
Canada representing every province and territory in the country.

There has never been a more proud, compassionate and exhilarating representation of Canada.

"SPIRIT OF A NATION" makes Canadians proud of their vibrant, promising nation and offers non Canadians celebration, intrigue and entertainment.

Tourists flock to see "SPIRIT OF A NATION" again and again !