Crystal Favel (aka award-winning Aboriginal mix master Crystal DJ Kwe Favel) laments the lack of First Nations storytellers today.
“There just aren’t that many of them left,” she said. “It’s difficult to find someone to carry on the storytelling tradition in a modern world.”
Originally from Portage La Prairie, Favel’s ancestry is a mix of Metis and Cree Nation. She aims to drag the art into the modern age through a digital and audio storytelling performance at the Squamish Adventure Centre on Saturday (June 27) from 1 to 2 p.m.
“The stories I tell come from my dreams and my own personal experiences,” she said. “So, these are not particular traditional stories, but rather stories told by a traditional person.”
But, she stresses the stories – which touch on subjects like residential schools, suicide and cross-generational violence – are also woven with local references and traditional lore, as since moving to the area Favel has tried to learn from the Mamquam Nation.
“I’m trying to keep traditional elements to the stories,” she said. “I don’t want to cross lines. But I also want to bring modern elements to the art of storytelling… and I hope the Elders will like it. I’ve felt very welcome since coming here. There’s a lot of positivity on this side of the Stawamus Chief.”
Favel pre-records the audio portion of the stories beforehand.
“I then take the mixes and feed it through channels, and mix the stories live with music and sound effects,” she said. “It’s something that has never been done before. And there are no visuals. I want to challenge the audience to use their imagination and listen to the words… What will they take away?”
Favel’s work has earned her the 2015 and 2014 Aboriginal Arts Development Award from the First Peoples’ Cultural Council for Digital Audio Storytelling, and the 2015 Red Sky Performance Scholarship, as well as awards from the Ehattesaht First Nation Language Revitalization Project.
She said she’s also the first aboriginal DJ to turn professional DJ and producer for electronica music in Canada.
“I know I’m also breaking a few barriers being female,” she said. “And in the end, my ultimate goal is to go on tour with the stories, but also to do a radio show and more work as a DJ and in sound design.”
Saturday’s performance will also feature a “healing arts” merchandise table with items handmade by Favel.
“I think anyone looking for inspiration will find something at the performance,” she said.
Admission is by donation (pay what you can) and there is an open-door policy for at-risk youth. The centre’s theatre only has a 30-seat capacity, so RSVP at 778-985-8155. For more on Favel, go to http://urbanindianproductions.com/.
