National award-winning Lheidli T’enneh musician Kym Gouchie is releasing a reconciliation-themed live concert documentary to help fill the void of the cancelled National Indigenous People’s Day (NIPD) celebrations.
Last year, Gouchie was busy putting the finishing touches on the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
The event, like most large gatherings, has been cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I know Indigenous people everywhere will be celebrating Indigenous ancestry, history and culture in their own special way on June 21 and I wanted to contribute to that celebration so going ‘virtual’ seemed like the best option,” says Gouchie.
“The film is from a concert that my band, Northern Sky, and I gave a couple of years at the Prince George Playhouse. Reconciliation was the theme of the concert and it seemed fitting to me that while we can’t celebrate reconciliation ‘on the ground’ for this year’s NIPD celebrations, I feel that the timing of releasing this live concert documentary is perfect as people are staying safe at home during this worldwide pandemic.”
Gouchie says the story of how this project came together speaks to what is so special about life in Prince George on Lheidli T’enneh territory.
“A few months prior to this concert, a local philanthropist (who wishes to be unnamed) attended one of my concerts and was so moved by my music that he offered to support me. We brainstormed a few ideas and one of the band members came up with the idea of filming my portion of the concert with a similar style based on the Live from Massey Hall sessions,” says Gouchie.
“From this incredible evening of amazing music to a nearly sold-out show, came the live concert documentary ‘For the People’ which was brilliantly documented and produced by 6ix Sigma Productions with sound and lights by Russell AV. Not only does this live concert documentary look amazing, it sounds amazing so I also had it produced into a live album at Pulp City Music. This project has been sitting in the vault since 2018 so with the support of Creative BC and a lot of patience, love and compassion we are ready to launch.”
The film's online premiere is set for June 21 at 4 p.m. on Gouchie's personal website and YouTube.
Keeping with the theme of ‘reconciliation’ and community togetherness, Gouchie is inviting everyone to join her for the online premiere and says not to worry if you miss it as it will have a long life on the world wide web.
“We are all in this together and we have the power to change the lens in which we see the world. I wish for peace and unity. May this concert be a balm for the heart, mind and soul,” says Gouchie.
