‘Echoes of the Land’ returning to Werklund Centre in celebration of National Indigenous History Month

Calgary's Werklund Centre is putting on a production called "Echoes of the Land" for National Indigenous History Month.

It’s described as a sound bath, immersing audiences in a deeply reflective meditative experience — “Echoes of the Land” is back at Werklund Centre as part of the performing arts centre’s National Indigenous History Month celebrations.

It features traditional drumming, spoken word along with an ensemble of local musicians all creating a textural auditory experience that invites audiences to reflect on their relationship with the land.

“Everybody that I have spoken to that has seen it or experienced it just says ‘I’ve never experienced anything like that, that was so amazing’,” said Tasha Komery, Werklund Centre vice president of strategic projects.

“I think you know, because we had it for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation last year, I really felt that it’s a celebration of the culture so we really wanted to do it in a during National Indigenous History Month this year.”

The performance brings together the creative team of Cedric Lightning along with Alanna Bluebird, Kenna Burima, Kris Demeanor, Jennie Esdale, Eric Rose, and Skip Wolfleg for a unique cultural soundscape that runs from June 25 to 28 with four performances in the Big Secret Theatre at Werklund Centre.

“We all work together to make this sound which is literally the echoes of the land,” said performer Cedric Lightning.

“The drum, the voices, the stories, the poems, the intellectual songs that go back to 200, 300 years of just war, of honoring your dancers, honoring your elders, honoring your dead and honoring the sick.”

Organizers say the event is a part of the grassroots Calgary Culture Coalition for Truth and Reconciliation where Werklund Centre, Calgary Public Library, The Confluence, Heritage Park and National Music Centre are working to expand community access to cultural experiences that help in building stronger understanding, respect, accountability to and compassion for Indigenous peoples.

“This month is really about celebrating the culture,” Komery said. “And I feel that anybody who has experienced this has got a little bit closer to understanding the power of indigenous cultures.”

Partnering with Ghost River Theatre

For the four-day event, Werklund is partnering with Ghost River Theatre and the group of artists in celebrating Indigenous culture and storytelling where audience members not only get to listen, but are encouraged to remain open to Indigenous ways of knowing and understanding the world around us.

“We’re giving the audience allowance to experience it in any way they want,” said performer Kris Demeanor.

“There’s no expectation to experience it in any way other than what they need that day, for themselves and for their life so you know, we’ll get people going ‘I just went on a crazy trip and I thought about my life and I feel reborn’ and some people fall asleep, which is great, it’s what they needed.”

The performance is an hour long and Werklund says no one will be admitted if they’re late so audiences are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes early to secure a floor spot.

People are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat and organizers say there will be blindfolds supplied for those who would like to take their experience to the next level.

“Once that start time starts 7:30 p.m. they are closing the doors and you cannot get in after that,” Komery said.

“That is part of the experience, you’re entering an experience, you’re not entering a theater where there’s going to be announcements and all this kind of thing, it is very much — you’re entering the experience.”

Learn more about the performances at werklundcentre.ca/echoes.