Amazon has launched the fifth year of the Your Voice is Power computer science education initiative, with the goal of engaging more than 35,000 Canadian students this year.
The innovative program blends computer science and social justice education pledges to engage 35,000 Canadian middle and high school students.
Your Voice is Power, a national educational program and remix competition that teaches computer science and coding skills to middle and high school students using music from Indigenous artists, recently launched its 2026 edition with a special event in Winnipeg, featuring 2026 JUNO Award-nominated Indigenous Hip Hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
Amazon said Your Voice is Power gives students from all backgrounds the opportunity to build digital skills at an early stage of their education, preparing them for future studies and in-demand career paths. The World Economic Forum ranks software and application developers third on its list of the largest-growing jobs by 2030, and reports that technological knowledge is projected to grow in importance more rapidly than any other skill in the next five years.
After reaching more than 30,000 students in 2025, Your Voice is Power plans to engage more than 35,000 in 2026. The program lesson plan features eight modules that teach the basics of coding while engaging students in discussions on the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis experience in Canada, including topics like Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Students can remix music from Indigenous artists such as Aysanabee, Sebastian Gaskin, Jayli Wolf, Dakota Bear, and Samian using EarSketch, a free online code editor available in English, French, Ojibwe, and Inuktitut, it said.
Your Voice is Power is a flagship initiative of Amazon Future Engineer Canada, a computer science and STEM education program that seeks to afford all young people the opportunity to realize their potential, in partnership with Amazon Music and education charity TakingITGlobal.
“Your Voice is Power makes it possible for more diverse voices to resonate in a field that is helping shape Canada’s future, but doesn’t currently reflect our society. The program helps young people engage with technology in a way that puts their stories at the forefront and empowers them to apply new skills to share their own unique perspectives on the Indigenous experience,” said Anishinaabe educator Christine M’lot, who led curriculum development on behalf of TakingITGlobal.
“Amazon is committed to making a positive impact on local communities, with a strong legacy of preparing young people for in-demand future careers working alongside partners like TakingITGlobal. Your Voice is Power has inspired thousands of students at a pivotal time in their education, and we’re excited to reach even more Canadians in 2026,” said Eva Lorenz, Country Manager at Amazon Canada.
According to June 2024 research from The Dais, Indigenous Peoples are 70% less likely than others in Canada to work in tech. Only 1.4 per cent of employed Indigenous Peoples are currently working in tech occupations, compared to 4.8 percent of non-Indigenous workers. The research also found that the most common field of study for tech workers is Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, along with Engineering. These fields of study alone produce more than half of all tech workers in Canada.
“Amazon Music has a long history of championing Indigenous artists, from dedicated playlists to initiatives like the Indigenous Song Camp. Your Voice is Power takes that commitment further by connecting students with the music and stories that matter, and we’re proud to be part of this program for a fifth consecutive year,” said John Murphy, Head of Amazon Music & Podcasts, Canada.
The Your Voice is Power curriculum is available at no cost to teachers and students in grades 7 through 12. The curriculum was built by TakingITGlobal with extensive year-long collaborations with the Cloud Innovation Centre at the University of British Columbia (UBC) that involved hundreds of hours of consultation and review. The UBC CIC, which is a private/public collaboration between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and UBC, facilitated connections to Indigenous experts, students and alumni as well as to UBC faculty, said Amazon.
All participants are encouraged to submit their remixes to a competition in which two winners – one Indigenous, one identifying as an ally – will receive $5,000 (CAD) scholarships. The deadline to submit entries to the 2026 student competition is June 30 and the winners will be selected in the summer.
Amazon Music subscribers across Canada are able to stream an exclusive Your Voice is Power playlist, spotlighting Indigenous artists including Twin Flames, Jayli Wolf, Dakota Bear, Samian, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Ribbon Skirt, and many others featured in the program. This playlist features music celebrating themes of perseverance and determination, showcasing foundational moments in music spanning 30+ years of music making.
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