Nurture your soul with Lila Community Choir's fundraising concert 'Sing For Nature', which will feature special guests Heartwood Trio, and local singer/songwriter Jeremy Walsh.
It takes place at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Duncan on May 29 at 7 p.m., presented by Lila Music and Nature Centre.
This year's concert is dedicated to raising funds for the Island Indigenous Food Gathering — a land-based gathering that celebrates Indigenous food systems, cultural knowledge, and community resilience.
"We sing for joy, for connection, and for the land that holds us," said organizer Cari Burdett. "Over the years, we’ve raised awareness and funds for everything from shelters and social programs to environmental and cultural initiatives — past themes include Sing for Salmon, Sing for Water, and Sing for Cedar. This year’s theme, Sing for Nature, continues that tradition, with a focus on collaboration, new music, and a celebration of the local Quw’utsun Valley around us."
This is the first year that Lila Music and Nature Centre received a grant from the CVRD Arts & Culture division, in partnership with the Koksilah Music Festival, allowing them to commission brand new choral works, a big milestone for them as creating original music takes a lot of time and heart.
Walsh can certainly testify to that as he composed his original song 'Sta'lo Running Down', inspired by the Cowichan (Quw’utsun) landscape, which he will perform alongside the Lila choir. Burdett said she wrote her piece following a hike up Mount Tzouhalem (Pi’paam). Guests will also be treated to an Irish Gaelic piece, and a rendition of a Robert Johnson blues classic.
"This is the first time one of my songs has been arranged in this way, which is very meaningful to me," said Burdett. "It’s a great joy to collaborate and bring in professional musicians to share their music alongside the Lila Community Choir. Music has such power to bring people together, to lift spirits and connect across all kinds of boundaries. Singing in community is medicine, especially in these complex times. I believe strongly in creating inclusive, safe spaces where every voice matters."
Something else that is meaningful to the Lila choir is their ongoing ReconciliAction Music project which was created in collaboration with local elders, guided by Philomena Williams. Through this project, they will premiere their new Hul’q’umi’num’ song 'Itst Hwialasmut Tu Tumuhw', which translates to 'We Take Care of the Earth'. Burdett said the song grew out of conversations about reconciliation and care for the land, and continues a body of work that first began at the One World Festival.
The Quw’utsun Cultural Connections Society will host the Island Indigenous Food Gathering throughout the Quw’utsun territory inviting representatives from all 53 First Nations across Vancouver Island, including the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwaka'wakw communities this October. It will bring together more than 200 youth, young adults, and elders to engage in inter-generational knowledge-sharing through educational, land-based workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to harvest, hunt, fish, and process food while upholding traditional teachings, languages, and stories of tumuhw — the world, the earth, the land — all designed to strengthen Indigenous food sovereignty, community wellness, and environmental stewardship.
"Our goal is to raise at least $2,000 with 100 per cent of the proceeds going directly to support the Gathering’s workshops, meals, transportation, and honoraria for Elders and knowledge keepers," said Burdett. "Attendance and support at Sing For Nature event will help make this extraordinary event possible — nurturing the next generation of land stewards and ensuring that the wisdom of Indigenous foodways continues to thrive."
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices will be on a sliding scale starting at $20 with guests invited to give more if able. Tickets can be purchased online at cariburdett.com/sing-for-nature/, Duncan's Volume One Books, or at the door on the night of the event. For more information email cariburdett.com.
"We hope people leave feeling uplifted, connected and inspired to sing," said Burdett.
