New song ‘Little Angels’ remembers and honours the children of residential schools

The singer-songwriters of a song remembering the children of residential schools hope the music will evoke feelings of connection in its listeners. 

Cheryl Bower, the creator of Voices Rock Canada and Susan O’Quinn, a Mi’kmaq artist from Newfoundland, wrote the song “Little Angels” after the mass grave in Kamloops was found in May 2021, they told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 30. 

“As singer-songwriters, I believe Susan and I hope that through our art, our storytelling, our activism, we elevate understanding, recognition and awareness through this music and the written word,” Bower said. 

O’Quinn hopes the song brings a voice to and honours the children who in life may not “have understood their plight and their purpose.” 

“I hope personally that Indigenous, and particularly non-Indigenous Canadians, allow this song to wash over them, and to seep in and touch and find the feeling that you have related to this topic. You know, I want people to allow it to evoke connection and to allow it to release the grief,” O’Quinn said. 

While Bower was in school studying for a social work and Indigenous studies co-degree, she was compelled to create art and music inspired by her learning. 

O’Quinn said it was beautiful to have the opportunity to collaborate with Bower, describing her as someone who “lives and breathes supporting others.” 

“And this was very meaningful. I felt it was an opportunity to share my voice and for us to really honour the children who have passed and to grieve as a nation.”

Listen to the full interview with Cheryl Bower and Susan O’Quinn below: