By Barb Brouwer

Contributor

The annual Roots and Blues Festival is not only 鈥渨here musicians go to play,鈥� it is an event that encourages play for people of all ages.

Centred between four stages and formerly known as the Engage Stage, is the new Plulk鈥檞 Stage, whose meaning is 鈥済athering of the people鈥� in the Secwepemc (Shuswap) language.

Emcee for the family oriented stage is Kenthen Thomas, a Secwepemc educator who shares stories handed down through generations and knowledge of Shuswap Nation history from pre-contact through contact.

Thomas鈥� father and well-known Elder and knowledge-keeper Gerry Thomas will be at the Plulk鈥檞 Stage with his display of authentic Secwepemc artifacts. He will also share his rich culture through stories.

Stspetkwll, or 鈥淪ecwepemc Legends that Teach,鈥� are a part of the oral history that has been passed down for thousands of years. These legends contain two primary lessons: creation stories about how the world came to be and lessons about how to behave and the consequences of not behaving.

Attendees will learn about plant technologies and the importance of the Salmon River. QR codes will allow people to tap into the Secwepemc legends on site, but they can also be accessed now on the Roots and Blues website.

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鈥淲e鈥檙e not only working to really Indigenize the zone but other parts of the festival as well,鈥� said Thomas, noting the Shuswap Tribal Nation allowed the use of the Secwepemc logo and flags on the fairgrounds. 鈥淭here are other phenomenal Indigenous acts, including Northern Cree, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, William Prince and Piqsiq.鈥�

Thomas said there will be many activities for kids to enjoy, including inflatables, a sandpile and badminton. As well, Circus West, Oot n鈥� Oots, the Psychic Alliance and Kiki the Eco Elf will perform on the Plulk鈥檞 Stage.

Thomas will tell some of the stories he has gleaned from many sources, including books and Indigenous encounters with people of his own and other nations.

One of his favourites encounters was at Canim Lake where an 11-year-old girl approached him with the story of The Crow as told to her by her grandmother.

鈥淢y granny says you can use that,鈥� he said of the gift. 鈥淚 get awesome transactions like that, but that鈥檚 my absolute favourite.鈥�

Thomas says that whether the stories be thousands of years old or more recent, the ancestors of this land knew how live on and protect the land.

鈥淭hese stories are more relevant than they were 40-50 years ago,鈥� he said, noting there have long been warnings that the land will turn on its inhabitants. 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing signs of that in wildfires, Covid. We鈥檙e taking things from Mother Earth and doing away with other things.鈥�

Thomas is hopeful by the growing acceptance of Indigenous people.

鈥淲e鈥檙e waking up with understanding, education and the ability to see each other not as a colour or race, but as human beings,鈥� he said, noting Indigenous people are not asking for lands to be returned to them but to be become stewards to help protect Mother Earth and make it last for another seven generations. 鈥淎nd in terms of acceptance of being the way you are, it鈥檚 a beautiful thing.鈥�

For more information, tickets and Indigenous stories, go online to .

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