Organizers of the Wu Woom festival are asking for Powell River residents to come out and share the power of their voices.
For the fourth year in a row, the festival, which originated from the desire to share Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation culture and find out more about who the people are who live in Powell River, has opened the door to give participants an evening of fun, said organizer Cynthia Pallen.
Wu Woom means “singing” in Tla’amin language, though Pallen insists that it is not intended for professionals.
“It’s open to everyone,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to come out and sing.”
For Pallen singing is a way to reconnect with her heritage and heal past wounds.
She said her brothers and sisters grew up singing at home in a wide range of styles from Motown to country to rock and roll. In 2000 she moved home to Tla’amin and started composing traditional songs with her drum.
“It’s basically to revive that part of our spirit that was displaced,” she said.
She has also invited the Tla’amin Spirit Singers to perform at the festival.
Pallen said that it is important for her to help her grandchildren to grow up with a strong sense of who they are and that singing in Tla’amin language helps to do that.
She’s especially proud of her granddaughter who will be singing the national anthem translated in Tla’amin language, “which is a beautiful song,” she added.
The festival is an opportunity for people from diverse cultural backgrounds in Powell River to come together and share their food and culture, she said.
In past years she has had Scottish pipers play and Korean exchange students and a Vietnamese family sing songs in their languages.
Pallen is encouraging people to bring a potluck dish so that everyone can share a meal.
This year fitness instructor Mike Clansey will be bringing dancers and Latin music from his zumba class to wind up the evening.
“It’s also part of our cultural healing,” said Ramona Dominic, who has helped Cynthia organize the event. “Sharing a meal together helps us grow and gives us strength. That’s what I love about it.”
The celebration is happening Saturday, April 5, at the Salish Centre in Tla’amin. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the festival will wrap up at 8:30 pm.
Admission is $10 per person unless a person commits to singing a song. Arts and craft tables will be available for $10 each for people to sell their wares. All money raised from the festival will help to pay for people at Tla’amin to attend the Vancouver Sun Run at the end of April. For more information about the festival, readers can contact Pallen at [email protected].
