Eleven youth from the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation have written and recorded a song about life in their community. The song “Hidden Passage” explores life, culture, and community in place these youth call home, Klemtu in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. The song touches on language revitalization and aspects of Kitasoo/Xai’xais culture like the spirit bear, the community’s big house, and learning traditional songs and dances.

The youth also created a music video for the song, filmed throughout Klemtu and the territory of Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation. In its first two days on Facebook, the video received over 20,000 views.

The song was written and sung by Jacintha Brown, Mercedes Robinson-Neasloss, Jonathan May, Dominic Robinson, Roberta Duncan, Jamie Mason, Ivan Robinson, Rob Duncan, Julianne Mason, Julia Thompson, and Eliza Mason.

Many of the youth are involved in Kitasoo/Xai’xais cultural groups such as the Súa Cultural Ambassadors and the Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards, where they work with Elders to explore their culture and territory.

“Hidden Passage” was produced with N’we Jinan, a music initiative that gives a voice to First Nation artists through music and creative expression. N’we Jinan has worked with 45 First Nations communities to produce similar videos.

The Kitasoo/Xai’xais youth will be joining over 100 First Nations youth performers at the National Release of N’we Jinan’s Volume 6 album. The event takes place April 21, 2018 at the UBC First Nations Longhouse in Vancouver. More information can be found here.