A Youth Explosion!
Show up where it matters.
November 20, 2026 · Studio Bell · Calgary, Alberta
Canada Bridges is proud to announce A Youth Explosion 2026 featuring LOV!
A Youth Explosion is a gathering created by Indigenous youth and young adults, bringing together community, culture, creativity, connection and opportunity. Join us for an evening of vendors, food, stories, art, and the Treaty 7 debut of recording artist LOV.
This year's theme is iiyiká’kimaat - a Blackfoot word, with the English translation, "try hard" But what does it mean to try hard? Maybe it's about pushing through when things get difficult. Maybe it's about staying consistent when nobody is watching. Maybe it's about showing up for yourself when doubt or adversity gets in the way. Or maybe it's simply about showing up where it matters. We're exploring what Iikaakiimaat means to each of us,m and what happens when we come together to try, learn, create and grow.
And this year, we're bringing LOV to the stage!
Tickets are available now for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Click here to get your tickets
What is A Youth Explosion?
Your Story is Our Story
This annual event provides a stage for approximately 8-12 Indigenous youth storytellers (age 16 – 30) to share their wisdom with a large and diverse audience through a wide variety of art forms. We are celebrating our thirteenth anniversary this year!
The storytellers will be Indigenous youth and many will share their stories through traditional cultural arts. Art is an essential ingredient for empowering young people and fueling their expression, and storytelling is at the core of sparking meaningful connections between peopl
And this year, we're proud to bring LOV to the stage as part of AYE celebrations!
Featured Youth Storyteller & Performers:
- Selah Rayne (Métis)
- Shaedon Wolf Child (Siksika/Blackfoot)
- Logan Redcrow (Siksika/Blackfoot)
- Heath Medicine Traveller (Siksika/Blackfoot)
- Natasha Steinhaur (Saddle Lake)
- Kalle Little Bear (Kainai)
- Calleigh Morning Bull (Piikani/Blackfoot)
Live Performance by LOV
LOV (Lovina Tootoosis) will join us as AYE's featured artist, bringing her music, story and experiences to Studio Bell for a special evening performance.
Her featured set will include live music alongside storytelling and conversation about her journey, history, culture, identity and artistic practice.
But LOV's involvement doesn't stop at the stage.
Earlier in the day, LOV will also spend time with participating Indigenous youth for a private youth engagement and mentorship session — creating an opportunity for conversation, questions, connection and relationship-building.
Why Should I Attend A Youth Explosion?
Showing up matters. Your story matters. AYE is an opportunity to spend time with your community while experiencing something new and createing connections of support which celebrate youth and young adults, who will be showing up to share their wisdom stories. that will continue long after the event. By attending AYE, you are supporting youth storytellers to reach the goal of AYE: Youth taking action toward having a self-defined meaningful future.
You might learn something.
You might meet someone.
You might discover something about yourself.
Get your tickets today:
https://www.studiobell.ca/whats-on/event/canada-bridges-nmc-present-aye-a-youth-explosion