K'odi Nelson / Kwakwaka’wakw from Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Of the first 26 shows in the Oyate series, this one holds perhaps two distinguishing marks--one for “youngest artist” and the other for “most remote”. K’odi Nelson, in his early twenties, lives on Cormorant Island in a village called Alert Bay.
To reach the village, a person must ferry over to Vancouver Island, travel 300 miles or so, get on a ferryboat, and cross over to Cormorant. However, the countryside, every precious inch of it, is gorgeous. K’odi teaches culture and music at the lovely elementary school on the island. We met him there and watched him play for the children. He was good with them and the children gave serious attention to performing every move precisely and accurately. One small girl danced so beautifully we thought she surely must be hosting the spirit of a wise old woman. One of the teachers asked us if we had “noticed” her. The teacher said she has danced like that since she could walk. It was stunning. | Listen to a Sample HerePurchase a CD of this show or
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