FNUniv Student Co-Writes International Musical Honouring Indigenous Veterans

Regina, SK – First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) student Tyrone Perreault has made his mark on the international stage as a co-writer of R;LINK, a new musical honouring Indigenous veterans and celebrating cultural exchange between Canada and Korea.

The production premiered in Seoul, South Korea on July 26–27, followed by its Canadian debut at Capilano University’s BlueShore Theatre in North Vancouver on August 15–16.

Created in recognition of the 2024–2025 Year of Korea–Canada Cultural Exchange, R;LINK is inspired by true stories of Canadian soldiers who played hockey on the frozen Imjin River during the Korean War. The show blends history, music, and movement to commemorate the friendships forged between Canadian and Korean troops—many of whom were Indigenous veterans.

The title R;LINK reflects this connection: the “R” references Korea, while “LINK” symbolizes the bonds created between the two nations. The semicolon emphasizes bridging cultures—linking history, memory, and collaboration across borders.

Perreault, an Indigenous Communication Arts student, joined the writing team earlier this year alongside students from Hanyang University (Seoul), the University of Saskatchewan, and Capilano University. His involvement took him to Korea not once, but twice—first for the project’s official launch, and later at the beginning of the summer to collaborate on script rewrites and development.

“For me, the biggest impact of this project has been the opportunity to share Indigenous culture with the Korean team,” said Perreault. “From hosting them at the FNUniv Spring Powwow to smudging and sharing bannock in Seoul, it was an incredibly enriching experience.”

The production combines an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop, swing jazz, and traditional Korean music—with choreography that even includes rollerblading sequences. The performances also featured meaningful musical contributions, including the loan of a song by Elder Joseph Naytowhow, and the use of both Indigenous hand drums and Korean traditional drums on stage.

“I wanted to ensure the play highlighted the unique aspects of Canadian and Indigenous cultures,” Perreault explained. “Through character development and cultural references, I believe we achieved that.”

With its successful international and Canadian premieres complete, R;LINK has already generated significant interest abroad, with discussions underway about potential future screenings and international tour opportunities.

“Representing FNUniv on a global stage has been a huge honour,” Perreault reflected. “It’s been the opportunity of a lifetime.”