Tradition at heart of training at gallery

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Keeping the Culture Alive was the theme of the workshop, but it's also something that the staff at Sun and Moon Visionaries promotes and practices everyday. Sun and Moon Visionaries is located at 127 St. and 105th Ave. in Edmonton. It is an art gallery and studio, which offers cultural workshops to young people.

"The intent for Sun and Moon is to retain culture in our urban centres here in Edmonton," said Joy Sinclair, program development co-ordinator for Sun and Moon.

May 26 was the kick-off of a two-day professional development workshop held at NorQuest College. The opening prayer was performed by Elders Isabel Auger and Frank Daniels.

Sinclair said she was really excited about the event "because this is the first year that we've actually had a drum group."

Jamie John Kehewin, Leonard Bearshirt, Jesse Eaglespeaker and Jody John make up the Papaschase Juniors drum group. This group came together this year.

"As drum keeper it was in the best interest that we honor the original descendants of this land known as Edmonton," said Kehewin. "Before the signing of treaties the original land of our people was known as Papaschase. As a fifth generation direct descendant of Chief Papastayo, we have been given the rights by the current chief of the Papaschase band Chief Rose Lameman to use the name of our drum group in honor of our ancestors, the descendants of today and future generations to come."

It was teachings such as those that were delivered to the small group of people who attended the workshop.

Also on the agenda was Treffrey Deerfoot who demonstrated an original old style Blackfoot chicken dance.

"It's one of the first traditional dances amongst the Blackfoot," said Deerfoot.

Since 1999, the staff at Sun and Moon has been involved in the Edmonton urban community creating youth programs and special events to teach the youth and help them retain their Aboriginal culture and heritage.

There are many youth programs available to Edmonton's young people, such as painting, drawing, clay work carving, jewelry making, cultural regalia making, traditional dancing, DJ techniques and hip hop and break dancing.

Sinclair said the focus of the workshop was to show youth that there is a more in-depth meaning to cultural awareness and powwow dancing.

"We want to show them that powwow dance is really strong in our community," said Sinclair. "The traditional dances are what actually held the prayers and the medicine and that's what this is for."

This workshop was recorded to serve as an information tool for the youth who visit the centre.

"We will show this video to the youth, just as we did with the Marie Burke film that she did, Spirit Doctors," said Sinclair.

Stanley Isadore, men's fancy dance champion, graced the stage with his colorful regalia to give his presentation called 'The Gift of Song and Dance.' Between each dance, sweating and breathing heavily, Isadore talked about his life and the high he gets from dancing.

"I've never drank or done drugs; this is my high," said Isadore. "This gets me through the rough days."

He performed three dances and they were all very energetic and commanding, however, the second dance called the southern ruffle seemed to stand out and maybe that was because of what it represented.

"This dance was meant to lift the spirits of people watching, people who were ill," said Isadore. "This is the dance of happiness, the dance of strength."

Sun and Moon Visionaries also hosts special events, including a traditional tipi encampment at Fort Edmonton Park, gallery showings and art shows, an annual open house and a Christmas party, the Sacred Self Aboriginal Artist Series, National Aboriginal Day celebrations and a Metis Week open house.

For more information about these events and programs, call (780) 433-3097.