Through cultural sharing in dance, they have officially opened music festivals, buildings and numerous ceremonies in the Comox Valley and beyond.
They have displayed traditions in the Big House, exchanged stories through song and have invited the public to gain a deeper understanding of ancient Indigenous culture.
Now, the Kumugwe Cultural Society along with the Kumugwe Dance Group are celebrating their official 10th anniversary, and doing so with a special event on National Aboriginal Day.
“It was always in my upbringing - there were deliberate instructions of cultural traditions - and it was a mindfulness of who we are,” explained Mary Everson, the daughter of the late Chief Andy Frank and Margaret Frank, and who helped, along with her family, to start the Kumugwe Dancers.
“When I was older and had children, I wanted to impress upon them our traditions and remind them, because Kwakwala is an oral language, and let them know who they were.”
Everson explained it is extremely important for her family to uphold traditions, as many Indigenous children, either due to factors including assimilation and residential schools, never got the opportunity.
Mary’s son - and Kumugwe dancer Andy Everson - said the dance group began informally around 2000 with a number of school namings.
“We started to pull out our regalia and it was mostly members of our family who performed. Here in the Comox Valley, we have a really good rapport with city officials, the base and others, and it really laid a foundation that we wanted to build upon. The Comox Valley is very opened minded, and our presence in the community snowballed.”
Mary noted the group allows people, particularly newcomers to the Valley, the ability to see the diversity of cultures across Canada, and it introduces people to a new cultural experience.
“Sometimes people expect to see us dancing in teepees. There’s an opening for an understanding of First Nations across North America that our culture and traditions are based on our environments, and we utilize what is here. Sometimes there’s confusion because we don’t use sage or sweetgrass, but it doesn’t grow here. It’s important to grow an understanding and a respect for each other and different cultures.”
Andy explained the cultural society is the umbrella organization which allows the dance group to raise funds. One of the biggest projects the group has tackled was the replacement of the roof on the K’ómoks Big House. Prior to 2010, he said the building - which was built in 1959 - was about one year away from being condemned.
The cedar shingles were rotting away and the group used donations to replace the roof and provide a new floor, he said. About four years ago, they assisted with additional repairs.
With more than 40 performance last year, the volunteer dancers practice about one a week for performances and ceremonies mostly around the Island, but Andy added they are looking at “a wish list of trips.”
“It’s so rewarding - I’ve been part of dance groups since I was a teen and have been able to travel all over the world. I would like to see that exposure and pride to share cultures. It’s a really strong thing to get up in front of peers and dance in front of people.”
Thanks to a longstanding connection through dance with a Maori family from Christchurch, New Zealand, Andy said the Kumugwe dancers are hosting the He Waka Kotuia group hailing from the Otakou territory of the country.
They will be joining the Kumugwe dancers for a performance in the Big House on National Aboriginal Day - June 21.
“It’s about rekindling connections and bonds, and making connections because we see so many similar believes; there’s a lot of similarities culturally.”
The Waka Kotuia is a Maori cultural group of families dedicated to developing kapa haka (Maori performing arts), Maori culture and language revitalization for Maori youth and families since 2005.
Doors to the cultural sharing performance open at 6 p.m., and the event will start at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation with all proceeds going to He Waka Kotuia.