Join the Komoks First Nation, I-HOS Gallery and Vancouver Island MusicFest for an all ages evening celebration of National Aboriginal Day and the Summer Solstice at the Komoks First Nation on Monday June 21st from 5:30 to 10:00 pm on the shores of the Courtenay Estuary.
Come and meet re-known guest artist Corrine Hunt – co-designer of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Medals. Corrine Hunt is a member of the Raven Gwa’waina clan from Ts’akis, a Kwakwaka’wakw village on Vancouver Island. Her paternal grandmother, A’neesla’ga, was a Tlingit noblewoman from Alaska. She combines Kwakwaka’wakw and Tlingit influences in her work.
Norman Brotchie, an uncle, attracted Corrine’s interest with his beautifully hand engraved jewelry and was instrumental in introducing her to the Kwakwaka’wakw art of engraving. Corrine has been working as a jeweller since 1985, and in recent years has worked on large-scale sculpture and custom furniture, blending traditional design with contemporary . She says of this combination, “I want to show how both the First Nations people and the art have evolved.”
Then experience the stories, songs and traditional dances from the Komoks First Nation and the Kumugwe Dancers. The Kumugwe Dancers take great pride in preserving the ancient traditions of their ancestors. Through sharing the songs and dances of the K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples, the K’umugwe Dancers feel that they are able to help facilitate respect and understanding within the local community and communities abroad.
Taking their name from the traditional Big House that sits within the heart of the K’omoks First Nation, members of the dance troupe have been practicing and performing together since 2001. The K’umugwe Dancers feel that by encouraging young members of their community to learn the ancient songs and dances of their people, they will ensure the survival of the culture for generations to come.
At 8:00 pm folks can kick back on their lawn chairs and take in a free live open air concert from acclaimed Canadian Aboriginal Singer Songwriter Art Napoleon.Art Napoleon is a bushman from the boreal foothills of Northern BC and an underground troubadour whose words and music bridges cultures. A versatile bi-lingual singer-songwriter armed with a wicked sense of humour, Art has an uncanny ability to improvise and engage audiences of all ages.
A born entertainer, he can embody both trickster and shaman to cast a spell on the gathered. Whether he is telling a story or singing about a life of intriguing and mystical experiences and characters, he manages to be both irreverent and deeply spiritual.
Napoleon has been featured on many radio and TV programs including Zed TV, Dead Dog Comedy, CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, CBC Roundup, Cree for Kids, Beyond Words, All Points West, Rez Blues and is also host of CHUM TV’s The New Canoe. His previous indie recordings have been nominated for numerous music awards including the WCMAs, Canadian Folk Awards, the NAMMIES & the CAMAs. Art’s latest CD Siskabush Tales delves into the alt-country fold and is receiving rave reviews across Canada. His moose-nose stew has been known to heal broken hearts and encourage compassion for the culturally deprived.
Enjoy local delicacies on the barbq and Pentlatch Seafood Chowder from Tria Culinary Studio. The performances and concert are FREE and the food concession has affordable and delicious dinner options. Everyone is welcome to be part of this day and to learn, share and celebrate National Aboriginal Day and the Summer Solstice.
