Tłalkwała
This song was originally owned by great grandmother Mary Frank when she was initiated into the Hamatsa dance society. It was then passed to my grandfather, Chief Andy Frank, and the song was later held by my mother, Mary Everson, as a Tłalkwała or ‘ladies dance’. Eventually the song and dance was passed to me when I was 10 years old at my grandmother’s potlatch. The Tłalkwała is one way that our women use their powers to bless the attendees at our sacred potlatch ceremonies. The boy leading the dancers here is my son, Matthew Everson, who, in time, will eventually receive this dance as well.
MATTHEW EVERSON / ANDY EVERSON / K’UMUGWE DANCERS
Andy Everson was born in Comox, BC in 1972 and named Nagedzi
after his grandfather, the late Chief Andy Frank of the K’ómoks First Nation. Andy has also had the honour of being seated with the ‘Namgis Tsitsał’walagame’ name of Kwamxalagalis I’nis. Influenced heavily by his grandmother, he has always been driven to uphold the traditions of both the K’ómoks and Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations. In this regard, Andy
has pursued avenues where he can sing traditional songs and perform ceremonial dances at potlatches and in a number of different dance groups, most notably the Le-La-La Dancers, the Gwa’wina Dancers and the K’umugwe Dancers.
The K’umugwe Dancers take great pride in preserving the ancient traditions of their ancestors. Through sharing the songs and dances of the K’ómoks and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples, the K’umugwe Dancers are able to help facilitate respect and understanding within the local community and communities abroad. Taking their name from the traditional Bighouse that sits within the heart of the K’ómoks First Nation, members of the dance troupe have been practicing and performing together since 2001. The K’umugwe Dancers feel that by encouraging young members of their community to learn the ancient songs and dances of their people, they will ensure the survival of the culture for generations to come.