The Wharf Sessions: Tara Willard

Tara Willard is a Secwepemc singer and drummer who uses her voice to create magic that brings listeners into alignment with Mother Earth. We know her at the Arts Centre primarily through her role as an Indigenous education worker in School District #83, and were honoured to be able to include her song Ancient Mother on the Wharf Sessions album.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.   

I am from the Secwepemc Nation, with paternal grandmother from Splatsin (Ethel nee Jones) and paternal grandfather from Neskonlith (Leonard Willard), Secwepemc communities. My maternal grandparents, of Irish and Scottish descent, (Herb and Edythe Roane) resided within Secwepemcu'lecw in the North Shuswap at the Lazy R Ranch. My Mother Kelli lives in Armstrong and my Father Mike lives in Neskonlith. 

My home is at Neskonlith with my 4 beautiful children and a 7 month old new pup!  My children witnessed the growth and development of this musical journey since being in womb.  Surrounded by ceremony and the heartbeat of the drum, the past 18 years have been a training ground through music, ceremony and gathering in inter-tribal ways. 

2. How did you get into music and singing? 

I have been singing all of my life.  I love music from all directions and all nations in this world. The confidence to be able to share my music in a public way has been a long and sometimes uncomfortable journey.  Having the confidence to sing in front of anyone, was an internal battle that took many years to overcome. Anxiety and depression played a part in this journey but thanks to the Red Road, Indigenous Ceremony, SinKukpi7 Melamen and the hard work it takes to heal the Self, I am able to share songs in a bigger way.  There has always been a calling to use my voice to receive and create beauty in a world that needs balancing. 

3. How do songs come to you?

The divine inspiration of Mother Earth, the Water, Air (Wind), and Fire (Sun), are what informs the melodies.  I have come to learn that I am a receiver of this information.  Being in communication with the elements for which we are all connected, and in a constant state of gratitude for these elements within and without, makes me a receiver.  Human beings are all receivers, and when we are living in more harmonious and earth-connected ways, our messages become clear.  

4. Where and how would you normally share these songs?

I will share these songs, with those who ask or with the children I work with at school.  The River Song, for example, has a video and is accessible to anyone.  I have taught students the meaning behind the song, the story and the intention.  We are all water, and water is precious and sacred.  We must respect and protect clean water.  It’s very important that people who live in Secwepemcul’ecw (and beyond) have a way to honour the water and sing to the water.  The songs that I have brought forward in the last couple years, are for sharing with others.  I have recorded 10 songs for an album, but have yet to raise the money or write a grant to finish the album.  There are some songs that are only for ceremonies, and not for public.   

5. Tell us the story behind Ancient Mother, the song that’s on the album.

This song is about the elements, healing and how we are connected to everything.  It helps us to remember the original instructions on how to live in harmony with our Ancient Mother.  It repeats “we are one” in many ways, and reminds us that we are the earth, water, wind and fire.  What we do to the Earth we do to Ourselves.  What is so important in these times of ecocide, genocide, and climate change, is the remembrance of our power as humans to heal ourselves and come into a balance with ourselves.  In so doing, we help the Earth Mother. The more people who remember our natural state of being, the brighter and more hopeful  this world becomes. 

It also references life givers (women), who are extra connected to the Earth because of our ability to carry water and life in our wombs.  Women and the feminine aspect of life have a very important role to play in the re-balancing of the Earth.  

I received this melody when my children were babies and have been fine-tuning it and adding the words for over 10 years.  When I first got the idea that these songs needed to be shared in a more public way, I shared with my Mother first.  If I could sing in front of my own Mother, then things will be ok.  Since that day, I have moved slowly, but surely into a more confident place with sharing the messages in these songs that I have been given.  The song lines are bigger than me.  I realize this now.   

6. Can you tell us about the gorgeous ribbon skirt that you were wearing at Song Sparrow Hall? 

This amazing ribbon skirt was made by Kika7 Designs, Sophie White, Secwepemc designer and regalia maker extraordinaire!  Sophie specializes in Jingle Dress regalia, but she also makes other regalia, including ribbon shirts, skirts and dresses.  I chose to wear the Ribbon Skirt because it was made by a Secwepemc artisan, thereby raising the profile of Indigenous women artists.  I also wore the ribbon skirt to represent my name, Rainbow Painted Woman.  My Indigenous name guides me in this life, and with music, it represents a bridge that connects all people in the sacred circle, to help heal and re-balance Mother Earth.   

7. I’m about to press play on your track, what’s the ideal listening setup?

You should be wherever you feel connected to nature or family:  you could be at your favourite spot on the water or near the water.  You might be in the forest on your favourite hiking trail.  You could be at home relaxing and playing with your children.  Be where you want to be.

I recommend listening with your whole heart and being in the present moment. Be with your self first, or listen with those you love.  Do nothing.  Give your self permission to breathe, connect, listen, surrender, and be. We have been conditioned in this society, to always be busy “doing” something.  I have found the most amazing creative moments, happen in the silence and the peace where we are just BEING, and breathing.  BE with her Majesty, the true Majesty ~ Mother Earth / Nature. 

I hope that this song brings peace, calm, remembrance of our connection to a natural way of life that is in harmony with Our Mother.  I hope it reminds us that We are all One and that we can unite (unity in diversity) to help our Mother Earth and each other, during these challenging but healing times.

The Arts Centre is grateful for the support it receives from its sponsors, without whom this project would not be possible: SASCU, Chad Eliason Mortgage Broker, Askew’s Foods, the Armstrong Regional Co-op, Johnston Meier Insurance, Grant Thornton, Stella-Jones, Shuswap Tourism, the City of Salmon Arm, and the Government of British Columbia.

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Photography by Kristal Burgess