Juno-award winning musicians George Leach and Digging Roots performed in Ucluelet on July 7.
The First Nations artists took to the stage at the Seaplane Base field on Friday night as part of the Pacific Rim Arts Society’s Summer Festival, which ran from July 1-9.
Rising local talent Kalilah Rampanen warmed up the crowd with five original acoustic songs and artist Jason Titian performed a traditional drum solo. Rampanen’s newest song, ‘Hey Mister Suit and Tie,’ was about corporate leaders making decisions on behalf of her people and their land without realizing the consequences.
During the show, Digging Roots’ lead vocalist ShoShona Kish offered words of wisdom before her counterpart Raven Kanataka launched into a slowed down rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Cover Me.’
“So, I’m thinking, love is in the centre of everything that matters most and all of the most important things that we do in this life,” ShoShona said. “And, when it gets crazy out there, having a place to take refuge really matters… And, it’s places like this, with each other right now and our family and friends, you know, that we return to when things get crazy.”
Following traditional Nuu-chah-nulth custom, Ucluelet First Nation member Jeneva Touchie led a moment of silence for all those they have lost recently within their territories. George Leach, a St’at’imc First Nation from Lillooet, B.C., dedicated his set to the community and to the family of the departed.
“I’ll start off this set for the spirits’ journey and for the healing of the family and friends in the community,” he said before opening up with a track called ‘The Prayer Song.’