The stars are aligning to make the fourth annual Malahat Gala a memorable event.

George Leach, the guitar wizard from the Interior Salish nation of St’at’imc (Lillooet), will be the headline performer when the dinner and silent auction is held at the Bear Mountain resort and spa outside Victoria on Oct. 28.

The theme for the evening gala is “A nation’s future begins with the children”. Prior to that will be a golf tournament on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Bear Mountain course.

But Leach will play a major role in celebrating all things Malahat Nation. Twelve years after his first album, Leach recorded Surrender. He received a Juno nomination for Aboriginal album of the year, as well as three Aboriginal Peoples Choice music awards for songwriter of the year, single of the year and best rock CD.

“I’ve worked hard on this album. I am so honoured to be able to share my music with audiences and to have the fans stick by me all these years between albums,” said Leach.

While Leach is known for his high-energy rock, he’s also known for his intimate lyrics and vocal hooks. One critic called him “a restless musical explorer coming into his own”.

When Malahat Nation hosted its first gala at nearby Brentwood College in 2013, the planning team said: “We believe that building a nation takes a community of champions who are willing to defy the odds and commit themselves to change. It also, however, takes a community of champions outside of the Malahat community who believe in our dream.”

That first event raised $130,000 thanks to a variety of high-level sponsors and local businesses. The money was used to build the timber framed Kwunew Kwasun Cultural Centre that houses a library, meeting spaces and other facilities.

Sponsors are coming forward for the 2016 gala. Contact Miya Inkster for more information, [email protected] or phone 250-743-3231, extension 202.