What We’re About
We are a volunteer collective of musicians, artists, and organizers who aspire to belong to vibrant communities working towards social justice, Indigenous resurgence, reconciliation, stewardship of local ecosystems, and community-driven alternatives to the status quo. We believe in the power of music and art with purpose, and in the importance of gathering in numbers to build ou
r strength and amplify our voices. Koksilah Music Festival takes place in the unceded territories of the Quw’utsun People at Tuwe’nu (Providence Farm), at the base of Pi’Paam (Mt. The festival is organized in recognition and celebration of the sovereignty of Indigenous Nations throughout BC. While 2017 marks Canada’s 150th year, it also marks more than 500 years of Indigenous resistance to colonial exploitation and assimilation in this region. Our intention is to focus on the perspectives of Indigenous musicians, artists, activists and knowledge keepers from around the Pacific Northwest. We are partnered with Quw’utsun elders and traditional leaders to ensure that this gathering reflects proper protocols and is accessible to the local Indigenous community. The festival is named after the Koksilah river, which drains into the Cowichan river not far from the festival grounds. Weirs on the Koksilah maintained by the Quw’utsun people once provided abundant Coho and Spring salmon for the smokehouses every summer and fall. The Koksilah’s deep pools, eddies, and waterfalls are where locals revitalize during the heat of summer. These same swim spots used to provide sanctuary to a healthy salmon run that returned each year to create a new generation of coho, steelhead, chinook, pink, and chum salmon. We have named this festival in recognition of the broad-based community support the Koksilah will require to return to its former strength, so it can again provide sustenance to the Quw’utsun community. All festival proceeds will be donated to grassroots resurgence initiatives led by Indigenous people. Funds will be split between the Xwaaq’um cultural resurgence project, Unist’ot’en Camp, and Lax U’u’la Camp (Lelu Island). These groups are working tirelessly to re-occupy and protect their traditional lands and waters, revitalize their cultural practices, and reconnect people with the land.
