Quw’utsun’ Elders Series: Backyard Sessions
Nature and Art-based community discovery:
Traditional cultural practices led by Knowledge Keepers
May 2024 - July 2025, Duncan B.C.
Get Notified of Upcoming Elders Series Sessions
Quw’utsun’ Elders Series: Backyard Sessions
May 2024 - July 2025
Nature and Art-based community discovery:
Traditional cultural practices led by Knowledge Keepers
Sessions include:
●Welcome/Gratitude/Awareness/Games/Song
● Intro/ Cultural Teaching of Skill Share/Harvest
● Lunch: Bring your own food and tea
● Hands-on Making/Creating/Crafting
● Brief Closing Circle
Bring a snack, lunch, water, hat, solid blade knife, and something warm to sit on.
All ages, all skill sets, all backgrounds encouraged.
Register early – space is limited to 20-40 participants.
Each workshop is unique different costs according to materials needed.
See below for more information and registration.
No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you would like to request a different amount, please contact sandraspcowichan [at] gmail [dot][ com from Social Planning Cowichan.
Registration for each event will open as the dates approach.
Open to everyone, these sessions are a place to join art, nature connection, exploration, sharing, song and stories together while
learning new skills. In 2022/23 our workshops included fire skills, plant work, canning, wool felting, cedar and basket weaving. As participation grew, the connection to traditional cultural knowledge, as well as right relations, became apparent. In 2024/25 we bring the Quw’utsun’ Elder Series.
Organizers: The Backyard Sessions are organized by Lila Music Centre with
support from BC Arts Council. We are working in partnerships with
Sacred Cedar Centre and Quw’utsun’ Cultural Connections Society/ Social Planning Cowichan to allow us to provide
honoraria to Elders who have made special time to lead each of
our sessions.
Events (Upcoming)

MARCH 2025
Tsulhwuletse (John George) and Tthulsimi' (Edna George)
Saturday, March 8th · 10am - 2pm
Lila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd Duncan, BC V9L 1G8

April 30th 2025
Jared / Qwustenuxun Williams
April 30th 10am-2pm
1350 Tzouhalem Road, Comiaken

APRIL 2025
Hyamicye / Della Rice
Details TBA

MAY 2025
T’awaxwultun / Joe Akerman and Elders
Details TBA

JUNE 2025
T'uwahwiye' / Philomena Williams and Cari Burdett Singing Together Choir - in preparation for Singing for X’Pey
Details TBA
M'akola Housing Society 3170 Gibbins Rd #26, Duncan, BC V9L 1G5

JULY 2025
Past Events

FEBRUARY 2025 (SOLD OUT)
Tsulhwuletse John George
Sunday, February 2 · 10am - 2pm
Lila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd Duncan, BC V9L 1G8

NOVEMBER 2024
Sulsameethl / Deb George
Sunday Nov. 3rd , 10am - 3pm
Max 15 participants
Lila Music Centre 3228A Gibbins Rd Duncan, BC V9L 1G8

OCTOBER 2024
Wapisew Muskwa/Gordy Bear
Sunday October 6th, 9am - 3pm
Lila Music Centre Yurt 3228A Gibbins Rd Duncan, BC V9L 1G8
Get notified about the next drum making workshop

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2024
T'uwahwiye' / Philomena Williams and Cari Burdett
Details TBA
M'akola Housing Society 3170 Gibbins Rd #26, Duncan, BC V9L 1G5

JUNE 2024
Tlithl'Kawi / Rupert Scow Kwakwaka'wakw Artist
Sunday June 2nd, 2024
10am - 2pm
Sunrise Waldorf School, 2148 Lakeside Road, Duncan

MAY 2024 (SOLD OUT)
Qwiyahwultu-hw / Robert George Quw’utsun’ Elder
& Thuitsiye / Pamela Bourque
Sunday, May 5th
11am - 3pm
5632 Khowhemun Rd, Duncan
