Halifax, Nova Scotia – Commissionaires Nova Scotia (CNS) proudly presents Mi'kmaq singer-songwriter Emma Stevens, at the 2025 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo (RNSIT), in a powerful tribute marking the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and raising vital awareness about the crisis of human trafficking through the transformative power of music and community engagement.
“Commissionaires was founded on the principle of social impact, originally providing meaningful employment for veterans of the First World War,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, Barry Pitcher. “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.”
Pitcher emphasized that partnering with the RNSIT to commemorate this milestone and raise awareness of a cause deeply important to CNS was a natural fit. “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.”
As a Nova Scotian artist already known for blending music with activism, Stevens was a natural choice for this meaningful collaboration. A celebrated performer from Eskasoni First Nation, Stevens’ music is deeply rooted in her Mi'kmaq heritage. Her original song, ‘I Want to Rise’ was initially created to address the national tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Now, through this partnership with CNS, she brings the song to a new stage, raising awareness of the human trafficking crisis in Nova Scotia and beyond.
“Indigenous women and girls are unequally affected by human trafficking, making up nearly 50% of the known trafficking victims in Canada, despite representing only 4% of the population,” said Stevens, when asked about her connection to raising awareness for human trafficking. “As an Indigenous woman, this issue is deeply personal to me. This partnership with CNS and the performance is not just about raising awareness, it’s about standing in solidarity with those affected, amplifying their voices, and inspiring action to protect our most vulnerable.”
Human trafficking remains a significant challenge both globally and locally. In 2023, CNS partnered with the Nova Scotia RCMP's Human Trafficking Unit to develop Human Trafficking 101 (HT101), a training program for commissionaires. HT101 aims to educate commissionaires from Sydney to Yarmouth, to recognize the signs of human trafficking and report any suspicions to the proper authorities. It has greatly enhanced the number of vigilant eyes at key transport nodes across Nova Scotia, including airports, seaports, ferry terminals and tolls –all places where commissionaires are stationed.
This collaboration underscores CNS's enduring dedication to national service and community development, particularly in areas of public safety and social justice. The 2025 RNSIT promises to be a moving tribute to these values, with Emma Stevens’ performance serving as a poignant and unforgettable highlight. Tickets are still available for the performances starting on June 27 - July 1.
For more information on how you can take a stand against human trafficking visit the NS RCMP’s Human Trafficking in Nova Scotia webpage or . If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor of human trafficking, or you think someone might be, call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, which operates 24 hours, 7 days a week: 1 833 900 1010.
