Clarity and power are words frequently used to describe both the mind and the voice of singer-songwriter Kym Gouchie.
The Lheidli T'enneh First Nation performer was in the iris of the camera when she performed her For The People concert this past spring, backed up by her band Northern Sky plus guest performers Saltwater Hank and Marcel Gagnon. It was the first time in Prince George history that a live concert was filmed for a feature-length documentary.
Now, for the first time, that film can be seen. The mix of live footage and candid interviews has been shaped into a film that will debut tonight at The Exploration Place.
"Usually concerts are a one-off. This one gets to go down in the history of the Prince George Playhouse (where the concert was held), the history of 6ixSigma (the film production company), the history of Russell A/V (the sound and lighting company) and the history of the community," said Gouchie.
It also gets to go down in history another way, one so profound it stops the conversation for a few beats. By premiering the documentary at The Exploration Place, it is located on the former site of the main Lheidli village, a place steeped in ancient affection for the Lheidli people of today and dark emotions over the colonial treatment of their forebearers in the early years of the 20th century when bad-faith dealings expelled them.
"There are no accidents," said Gouchie, explaining that reconciliation was the stated theme of all involved in the making of the concert and subsequent film. The event was spawned by Mad Loon Entertainment proprietor Danny Bell as a way to honour the aboriginal musical talent of the area, and the ideas piled up from there.
"To have this concert footage shown in this incredible place, and as a manifestation of the spirit of reconciliation, it all symbolizes those steps we're taking to tear down the walls we've put between each other. To have Tracy and Alyssa and Lisa (Calogheros, Tobin and Connor, some of the senior staff at The Exploration Place) open their doors for this says a lot about them. That relationship between that facility and the Lheidli people has been developing for decades and now they have an award-winning exhibit of the Indigenous peoples of this land. Who else can say that? What better place to step up to share this event?"
Northern Sky is comprised of Naomi Kavka, Danny Bell, Jeremy Pahl, Amy Blanding, and Corbin Spensley. Band members will also be at the film's screening, and the public is encouraged to ask questions after seeing the film.
The event happens at 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) and is appropriate for all ages. It is free to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
