EARTH SONG | 2019 Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation Cultural Gala

NUTRIEN SASKATOON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CULTURAL GALA
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 ~ TCU PLACE

Two years ago, the Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation’s Cultural Gala began building the Community Fund for Reconciliation—and we honoured the element of water through art, song, and dance. We heard directly from Residential School Survivors, beginning a path of Reconciliation through the experience of the gala. Last year, we reignited the fire, and were reminded that Reconciliation requires constant effort, vigilance and action to create change in our communities.

In 2019, we presented Earth Song.

Mother Earth sustains us with water, nourishment, and an ecosystem rich in resources for all creatures to sustain one another. The diversity in nature allows all of us not only to survive, but to thrive.

The diversity in our communities also makes us better, stronger. The diverse audience in attendance has planted seeds for the work of Reconciliation to continue: changing our community through projects that build partnerships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. We were honoured by the presence of elders and survivors of residential schools and the sixties scoop, and inspired by the participation of young leaders such as Emcees Neal Kewistep and Steph Clovechok.

The evening’s performances also reflected the diversity of the community. The artists and producers created unique performances that resonated with the power of Mother Earth, inspired by her capacity to feed our communities—in body, mind and spirit. A centrepiece of the performance was the shawl dance—an Indigenous prayer to the Creator that we were honoured to share with all those who attended. Beautiful, bright shawls with elaborate beadwork and fringes brought to life the movements of the performers. And as a special feature of our evening, we auctioned 6 shawls created exclusively for the evening, a celebration of Earth Song.

Through Earth Song, we honour the past. We look to the future. We share our commitments to engage in the work of Truth and Reconciliation. Earth Song was not a gala—it was an opportunity to open our hearts, shift our perspectives, and find the roles we can each play. This is the transformative power of community! We are honoured by all of you who have chosen to walk with us, and we invite everyone in Saskatoon to join us on this path.

~Tracy Muggli & Lisa Mooney, 2019 Co-Chairs

SAVE THE DATE: WALK WITH WIND SEPTEMBER 19, 2020

Watch Earth Song | Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation Cultural Gala Courtesy of Shaw

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Earth Song | Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation Cultural Gala Photos

View stream on flickr

CTV Morning Live Interview August 27, 2019

CTV News at Noon Interview August 29, 2019

The 2019 Saskatoon Community Foundation Cultural Gala continued its exploration of the four elements to bring you Earth Song, in which song, dance and poetry were used to explore the significance and meaning of the land to Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures.
This year’s event built on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people – all in support SCF’s Community Fund for Reconciliation. (see Granting Program and Recipients)
Performances by:
Eekwol – award-winning hip-hop artist from Muskoday First Nation
Little Opera on the Prairie – innovative performers who bring opera to the people
Karrnnel – one of Canada’s most accomplished and innovative fiddlers and musicians
Your support helped spread the spirit of Reconciliation – as we renewed our relationship to the land, our commitment to care for it and our gratitude for all it provides. Gala proceeds are allocated to the Community Fund for Reconciliation, which grants funds to initiatives that bring Indigenous and
non-Indigenous people together.

The 2019 Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation Gala could not happened without our Sponsors and Partners. With a shared vision of making Saskatoon the best city in which to live, we are grateful for their generous support.

Contact our office to join these incredible companies in support of our event.