Kym Gouchie will be performing her mix of Indigenous folk/roots at the Sid Williams Theatre on Sept. 26. THe show launces the new season of the Blue Circle Series. 

Gouchie鈥檚 music blends traditional languages and storytelling with modern sounds, a reflection of her heritage. 

鈥淢y shows truly are an invitation to people who wish to experience a cultural awakening. It鈥檚 hopeful, you know, the music that I鈥檓 presenting is a fusion of everything I am as an Indigenous woman who has come from a difficult past,鈥� said Gouchie. 鈥淣one of my shows are ever the same,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 have a set list, but I respond to the audience鈥檚 energy, creating a reciprocal exchange of emotion鈥�

Gouchie鈥檚 passion for music is rooted in her Prince George upbringing, one surrounded by a musical family. While her path to performing wasn鈥檛 straightforward, she put performing on the back burner while she was a young single mom, music became her anchor.

鈥淚t became my safest place, and I never let go,鈥� said Gouchie.

This performance is supporting her newest release, the album Shun Beh Nats鈥檜jeh (We Are Healing Through Songs). The album serves as a tribute to her ancestors and a celebration of traditional Indigenous languages, specifically Dakelh (Lheidli dialect), Woodland Cree and Secwepemcts铆n.

鈥淭his album is really for the healing of that part of us. It鈥檚 a tribute to all the struggles my ancestors had growing up through a time when it wasn鈥檛 okay to be an Indigenous person.鈥�

Despite a tough road to releasing this album, Gouchie overcame many obstacles, including COVID-19, the loss of her uncle - a key language mentor, she pressed on to produce the authentic album. 

鈥淭here were so many hurdles that were in my way, but I jumped over them, and I just kept jumping over them,鈥� said Gouchie. 鈥淚 am absolutely in love with this album. There's nothing I do not like about it. It is exactly what I wanted it to be.鈥�

Gouchie sees her performances as an act of reconciliation. Meaningful engagement with Indigenous culture, Gouchie views her performances as opportunities for immersing oneself into Indigenous culture. 

鈥淚 feel my concerts help to open up and create a bridge of connection where people feel like they have done something,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ven the act of coming to and supporting Indigenous artists is an act of reconciliation.鈥�

Though her music often tackles difficult subjects, such as the legacy of residential schools and generational trauma, Gouchie鈥檚 approach is always one of hope and resilience. Her goal is to get people in touch with their emotions and motivate them to make a difference. 

鈥淚 often encourage people in my storytelling to reach out and connect with the people of the ancestral lands that you live on, attend powwows, attend events and start building those relationships.鈥� 

For additional information about Kym Gouchie, please visit www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.