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Kwi Awt Stelmexw and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, with support from the City of Vancouver, invite you to an intergenerational dialogue on reconciliation. VOICES OF ELDERS connects with younger generations to explore what reconciliation means for youth, our city and the planet, on this 46th Annual Earth Day.

Catch the brilliant words of Lee Maracle, one of the first Indigenous women published in Canada, hear the wisdom of Chief Bobby Joseph, laugh at the comedy of Ryan McMahon, love the intelligence gained from decades of struggle with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Joan Phillip, witness multimedia dance from Children Of Takaya, immerse yourself in the blues of Juno-winner George Leach, and hear the cutting-edge sounds of Indigenous DJs. [Read BIOS below]

Come on a journey exploring the true history of Vancouver and living cultural heritage of the Coast Salish Peoples. We will also be screening the trailer for “All Our Father’s Relations,” an upcoming film which chronicles the Grant family from Musqueam, plus “The Letter R ” reconciliation film by Hannah Leona with Kinnie Starr, courtesy of VIMAF.

Free PRE-SHOW for students and youth from 4-8pm in the QET Plaza hosted by comedian Ryan McMahon features Dialogue Circles on reconciliation strategies, as well as performances by Indigenous DJ’s and artists.  Participation in pre-show activities also includes a free diner and entry into the main event at 8pm. To register or for more information, emailcontact@KwiAwtStelmexw.com

TICKETS ///////

Youth/Children: $0
Adults: $19 / 39 + ticket & venue service charges.
OUTLETS: Banyen Books, Tickets Tonight box office (200 Burrard St), Spartacus Books, Highlife Records, Red Cat Records.
ONLINE http://www.ticketstonight.ca/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=15009
Select ‘Will Call” for lowest service charges.
Phone orders (cost additional fees) 604-684-2787 or toll free 1-877-840-0457.
PATRONS – A special ticket is available including a pre-show Reception backstage for $99 available online or at Tickets Tonight box office.

All proceeds from the event will help three Coast Salish youth projects:
• Twenty-one Tsleil-Waututh youth are travelling to Aotearoa for Indigenous youth sharing;
• Kwi Awt Stelmexw is delivering language revitalization;
• Coast Salish Cultural Network is mentoring youth in digital storytelling.

A night to remember! Community and bulk tickets available; artisans; displays + sponsoring organisations: contact@kwiawtstelmexw.com

BIOS ///////////////

Lee Maracle
Lee Maracle is a celebrated Coast Salish author, poet, educator, storyteller and performing artist. She is one of the country’s first and most prolific First Nations’ writers. Among her novels are Ravensong, Bobbi Lee: Indian Rebel and Daughters Are Forever. She is a descendant of Mary Agnes Joe Capilano, and granddaughter of Chief Dan George. She is an Instructor in the Aboriginal Studies Dept. at University of Toronto, cofounder of the En’owkin International School of Writing, and Cultural Director of the Centre for Indigenous Theatre in Toronto. One of the foremost experts of Coast Salish Peoples and culture, she regularly mentors young people and speaks to audiences across Canada.

Chief Robert Joseph
Chief Robert Joseph is a Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation. As one of the last few speakers of the Kwakwaka’wakw language, Chief Joseph is an eloquent and inspiring Ceremonial House Speaker. He shares his knowledge and wisdom in the Big House and as a Language Instructor at UBC, from where he has an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree. He is Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Chairman of the National Assembly of First Nations Elder Council, Special Advisor to both Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Indian Residential School Resolutions Canada, Chairman of the Native American Leadership Alliance for Peace and Reconciliation and Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation with the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace (IFWP).

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip
The Grand Chief has taken an active role in the defense of Aboriginal Title and Rights by readily offering support to Native communities in need. He is proud to be in his sixth three-year term as the President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. He has taken a personal approach across Turtle Island, standing with Elders and communities, and to Victoria and Ottawa and seats of colonial power. He served the Penticton Indian Band as Councillor for 10 years, as Chief for 14 years, and continues to serve as the Chair of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. He is a husband, father and grandfather.

Joan Phillip
Joan Phillip is a former elected member of the Penticton Indian Band Council. Joan has more than four decades of political experience advancing Indigenous rights from the 1970’s Native Alliance for Red Power period to the present day. In her role with the Penticton Indian Band Council and as its Lands Administrator for more than ten years, she helped manage reserve lands and resources as a Nation-building exercise, and in a manner that protects them for future generations’ use and enjoyment. Joan is of mixed heritage including Okanagan and Tsleil-Waututh, and has been married for 31 years to her husband Grand Chief Phillip. They have four grown sons, two daughters, seven granddaughters and seven grandsons.

George Leach
Juno Award-winner George Leach is an artist in relentless pursuit of truth. His dedication to songcraft is evident throughout his career, nowhere more so than on his ‘Surrender’ album.
A mix of power and vulnerability, George’s lyrics evoke an unusual intimacy and are set to a vast terrain of sounds – touches of classic rock, balladry, and blues. He is in the service of a restless musical exploration and leaves audiences in awe across Turtle Island. In concert George disappears into the moment, chasing the promise of fleeting transcendence that music offers and taking us all with him. Don’t miss his closing set at the QET!

Children of Takaya
Children of Takaya was formed in the early 1950’s by Chief Dan George; from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Children of Takaya is a Coast Salish group with performances that include singing, dancing and storytelling. They are very active locally, nationally and internationally. Including festivals in Europe and throughout North America. The group is currently led by Gabriel George, who also serves as Manager of Culture for Tsleil-Waututh.

Ryan McMahon
Ryan is an Anishinaabe/Metis comedian, writer and actor out of Winnipeg. Armed with a degree in Theatre and graduate of Toronto’s prestigious Second City Conservatory, Ryan became the first native comedian to ever tape a one hour standup comedy special for CBC TV. Ryan’s storytelling comedy style is fast paced, loose & irreverent as he explores the good, the bad and the ugly between Indian Country and the mainstream. He has had performances on CBC Radio and CBC TV, a special at the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, and in 2014, Ryan recorded a new one hour national comedy show for CBC Radio called, “Red Man Laughing.” This live variety show format is currently in development for television. Ryan criss-crosses the country and is an active media commentator on issues from Idle No More to reconciliation.

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#reconciliation #coastsalish #reconcileEarthDay