Nova Scotia Tattoo & Commissionaires to present Eskasoni singer-songwriter Emma Stevens for special scene on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and human trafficking
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Commissionaires in 2025, the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is honoured to partner with Commissionaires to present Eskasoni First Nation singer-songwriter Emma Stevens at this summer’s show.
This powerful collaboration aligns with the longstanding commitment of the Commissionaires to national service and their growing leadership in community development, particularly in areas related to public safety, youth empowerment, and raising awareness around complex social issues—including the critical and urgent issue of human trafficking.
Stevens will perform as part of a commemorative and educational scene that addresses the national tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the broader crisis of human trafficking across Canada.
"Commissionaires was founded on the principle of social impact, originally providing meaningful employment for veterans of the First World War. As one of the first organizations dedicated to corporate social responsibility, we continue to uphold that mission today—advocating for important social issues like human trafficking," says Barry Pitcher, CEO of the Nova Scotia division of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires.
"Partnering with the Tattoo to commemorate this milestone and raise awareness of a cause deeply important to the Nova Scotia Division was a natural fit. As both organizations are dedicated to honoring veterans, using the Tattoo's stage to spotlight this critical issue made perfect sense. It provides a powerful platform to amplify awareness while reinforcing our shared commitment to service.”
Singer-songwriter Emma Stevens, from Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia, is an artist whose music and activism are intertwined with her Mi'kmaq heritage. Rooted deeply in her native language and cultural traditions, Emma's work celebrates the strength and resilience of her people by merging traditional Mi'kmaq themes with contemporary musical influences.
The 2025 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo runs June 27th to July 1st at the Scotiabank Centre in downtown Halifax. This year’s theme, FLOURISH, is a word rich in meaning and deeply resonant with stories of honour, resilience, remembrance, and hope. The theme is built on three core pillars: human flourishing through protection and safety, natural renewal and remembrance, and flourish as artistic expression, particularly through music. Tickets are on sale now.
The Tattoo is proudly supported by the Canadian Armed Forces, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada, Halifax Regional Municipality, and corporate partners.
