Coast Salish Nations and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra create a path forward through music
The Path Forward is a multidisciplinary concert showcasing the creativity and cultures of local Indigenous communities
Dennis Thomas-Whonoak. Photo via Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the VSO Indigenous Council, and three Coast Salish host nations—Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), and Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilwətaɁɬ)—present The Path Forward on April 10 at 4 pm at the Orpheum Theatre
TSLEIL-WAUTUTH CHIEF Dan George’s Coast Salish Anthem is among the pieces that local audiences will experience this weekend during The Path Forward, a new artistic collaboration between the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the VSO Indigenous Council, and three Coast Salish host nations: Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), and Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilwətaɁɬ).
First, Robert George, one of the Indigenous leader’s grandchildren, will sing the anthem a cappella. Then, it will be performed by the VSO—the first time it has ever been arranged for orchestra. The VSO Indigenous Council requested that an orchestration of the anthem be made, and the song was gifted by the grandson of the late Chief Dan George, Gabriel George.
The Path Forward’s origins go back several years, when the VSO convened the Indigenous Council as a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. (The council’s founding members were Chastity Davis-Alphonse, chair; Alexander Dirksen, Métis youth; the late Lillian Howard, Elder; Orene Askew, Squamish Nation member; Dennis Thomas-Whonoak, Tsleil-Waututh Nation member; Karen Gerbrecht, VSO musician; and Susan Anton of the VSO board.) Tsleil-Waututh Nation member Dennis Thomas-Whonoak currently chairs the VSO Indigenous Council.
“This weekend, we are excited to showcase the creativity and cultures of our local Indigenous communities as we contribute to the reconciliation process,” Thomas-Whonoak tells Stir. “Music plays such a huge part in Indigenous cultures, and we intend to incorporate traditional songs and stories in collaboration with the VSO and the musicians to create one-of-a-kind musical performances. The Path Forward also highlights the ongoing work of contemporary Indigenous artists, how they are leading the evolution of our cultures, and how all peoples on these traditional lands can help build stronger communities for all.”
The Path Forward is the first of what VSO president and CEO Angela Elster hopes will be an annual event. “In the very beginning, we met frequently, always over food and feasts,” Elster says in a phone interview with Stir, referring to the formation of the Indigenous Council. “It became clear from the very beginning that music would become our bridge.”
Multiple musical exchanges ensued, with artists and members from all communities learning from and sharing with each other. The original idea for The Path Forward was to have a day-long celebration with Indigenous leaders, knowledge keepers, craftspeople, and musicians demonstrating their art throughout the Orpheum, with a performance on-stage to finish. “That of course got shut down through COVID, but our conversations didn’t,” Elster says. “This is the path forward: music is a bridge. It’s about sharing the experience—truly authentic sharing—and creating new music.”
Ian Cusson. Photo by John Arano; Leemarc Lao (background)
The concert includes Carnival of OUR Animals, a multi-movement work created in collaboration with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations and the VSO Indigenous Council to share Indigenous stories, culture, and knowledge on their shared stage. Composer William Rowson reimagined the beloved Carnival of the Animals, his new take (which premiered with the VSO earlier this season) featuring animals of the Pacific Northwest: Thunderbird, Salish Woolly Dog, and Eagle.
The VSO will perform Métis composer Ian Cusson’s Songs from the House of Death. Anishinaabe flute player Tyler Evans-Knott, a member of Curve Lake First Nation near Peterborough, Ontario, will perform. The up-and-coming artist, who dreams of becoming a professional orchestra musician, completed the VSO School of Music’s Performance Prep Program, a 10-month residency (virtually, due to COVID). The multidisciplinary concert will feature poetry by host Christie Lee Charles, a member of the Musqueam Nation who was the City of Vancouver’s first local Indigenous Poet Laureate, and an appearance by Git Hayetsk (People of the Copper Shield).
Due to a positive COVID test overseas, VSO music director Otto Tausk has had to withdraw from his concert appearances this weekend; conductor Nicolas Ellis is stepping in, while Rowson will conduct the Coast Salish Anthem, which he orchestrated, and Carnival of OUR Animals.
Lillian Howard.
The Path Forward is also a tribute to Lillian Howard, who, for five decades, was on the frontlines of advocacy for Indigenous people.
“As a gesture of our gratitude and deep love, the VSO Indigenous Council and the VSO dedicate this performance to the late Elder Lillian Howard,” Thomas-Whonoak says. “Her life-long commitment and impact on Indigenous peoples and communities across BC and Canada are inspirational. On this shared stage she helped develop, we will demonstrate how art and music promote reconciliation by sharing both traditional and contemporary Indigenous culture and knowledge.”
More information is at Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
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