How can we make the festival experience better?
This is the attitude expressed by ROOTSandBLUES organizers, whether it's in terms of musical performances, on or off the stage or at various downtown venues.
A member of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation, Thomas is thrilled to have been given a bigger budget and space that make Indigenous performances an integral part of the festival 鈥� something artistic director Kevin Tobin credits to Thomas鈥� artist selection.
Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Elisapie is an emblematic Canadian Inuk, who will appear on the Main Stage at 7 p.m. July 27. Born and raised in Salluit, a small village in Nunavik, Elisapie covers classic rock and pop songs ranging from the 1960s to the 90s translated into Inuktitut.
Part of the Kitasoo/Xaixais Nation and originally from Klemtu, a small, isolated island located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on the Pacific Coast, singer songwriter Hayley Wallis will perform on the Barn Stage as will The Melawmen Collective, a Secw茅pemc/Nuu-Chah-Nulth/ Nlaka鈥檖amux group that uses music to create connections between people through stories, history, art and music.
Also performing on the Barn Stage on Saturday is Wyatt C. Louis, a Plains Cree artist whose music, a fusion of country with indie and roots nuances, reflects his classic rock 鈥榥鈥� roll upbringing and gentle influences.
A talented songwriter and Tk鈥檈ml煤ps te Secw茅pemc band member from Kamloops, Jeremy Kneeshaw鈥檚 music draws on his strengths as a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, piano, drums, bass, mandolin, banjo, flute, accordion and more. An Indigenous blues-rocker who has a passion for the art of storytelling, Kneeshaw鈥檚 powerful lyrics hold plenty of inward reflection and outward inspiration.
Fiercely proud of his heritage and growing Indigenous content at the festival, Thomas said members of the Adams and Skwl膩x te Secwepemc煤l虛ecw (Little Shuswap) bands will bring displays that feature what they are doing and what plans are in the works.
鈥淲e鈥檙e here and we鈥檙e part of the community,鈥� said Thomas.
He is hoping to attract several entrants to participate in popular stick games, an integral part of all pow wows and an important Indigenous 鈥減ick-me-up.鈥�
"Our stories talk about games lifting spirits of the community following illness, and were sometimes used in lieu of battles, which is better than killing people,鈥� he said. "Stick gaming has been going on for centuries and includes lots of laughter and music."
An Indigenous presence will continue to be featured at Pulk'w Place, which will also be home this year to drum circles and, as always, Kenthen鈥檚 dad, Gerry, will don his bear costume and share his rich cultural heritage through dance.
"For almost 100 years it was almost illegal to be Indigenous, but we鈥檝e come full circle 鈥� we're celebrating everything we lost and learned again," Kenthen said of the joy of being able to evolve from hating the colour of his skin to celebrating his heritage. "Now I see kids so proud of their cultures and who they are; it has come around full circle and it's a beautiful thing to be Indigenous in this day and age."
To sample the music of all the artists performing at this year鈥檚 festival, go online to , click on the Festival Experience tab, followed by 2025 performers.
The Festival Experience site also provides information on the free Tuned-Up series that begins July 22, the July 24 Kick-off concert on Hudson Avenue downtown and eight special workshops. As well, the site showcases the Food and Artisan Market, the Merch Tent, the Whimsy Squad, roving entertainment, a festival map and the Downtowner Shuttle, a free service for festival goers. The shuttle runs from the festival campgrounds and main gates to the downtown core on a continuous loop, each trip taking approximately 20 minutes.
