An Abbotsford woman who started a choir for kids who are neurodivergent and have other challenges travels to Ottawa in March to receive a prestigious award.
Nicole Provost, 29, is among the recipients of the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Decoration, which will be presented March 21 at Rideau Hall.
The awards “recognize great Canadians for exceptional deeds accomplished over a limited period of time that bring honour to our country,” according to the website for the Governor General of Canada.
They honour achievements in both military and civil divisions and are one of the highest honours bestowed in Canada.
Provost said she is “honoured and beyond thrilled” to be receiving the award.
Provost founded the Mayday Club Youth Choir in 2015. She sang in a youth choir when she was younger, and noticed the struggles of a particular girl, who had ADHD and had difficulty in the traditional choir setting, which requires members to stand still while they sing.
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Provost and her older sister Jenna, who also sang in the choir, envisioned something more upbeat and energetic.
The idea was that the choir would accept kids who had different challenges – such as autism, Down syndrome, depression and anxiety – and allow their energy and enthusiasm to shine.
Members also include those who are gender-diverse.
They chose the name “Mayday” – as in the distress signal – because they felt they were putting out a call for help.
Provost built a website, learned about non-profits, reached out to local organizations and learned about choral singing – all while attending UBC and studying physics.
The Mayday choir started out with 13 members in Abbotsford and has since grown to more than 50 across B.C. and Canada, using Zoom and other methods of communicating and recording.
The choir has made two albums, with plans for another one this spring, and has performed at more than 250 venues and events across B.C.
Provost said although she is the recipient of the governor general’s award, the Mayday Club Youth Choir has been a “community project with dozens, if not hundreds, of people contributing to what Mayday has become.”
“I consider this award a group achievement, and believe that it is a win for us as a team, and a win for inclusivity in Abbotsford, in British Columbia, and in Canada in general,” she said.
“I am hoping that our story at Mayday Club will inspire other youth to step up and make a difference in their communities where they see an opportunity for a positive social change to be made.”
Provost also speaks at events and ran her own podcast, called Neurodiversity Now, which dealt with topics such as inclusion, bullying and advocacy.
Through Mayday Club, Provost is also planning to start a new initiative focused on getting young neurodivergent people involved in harm reduction and the prevention of substance use and homelessness among neurodivergent youth.
In addition, Provost graduated in January from a commercial pilot program in Abbotsford, and plans on becoming an aerial firefighter. She completed her flight training at Aquila Aviation, while in integrated studies with a focus on aviation at University of the Fraser Valley.
She also hopes to make aviation more accessible to medically diverse pilots in the future.
Provost was named as a recipient of the Meritorious Service Decoration in 2021, but the awards were not presented in person at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.