Dancers, singers, musicians help out the cause

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The young, and the young at heart, gathered at the Amiskwaciy Academy on Oct. 28 for an evening of music, dance and comedy. The night's entertainment, including a silent auction, was a fundraising effort designed to support the Native Seniors Centre.

Funds raised at the event will go towards 20th anniversary celebrations planned for October 2006.

"We are fundraising to celebrate our beginning," said John MacDonald, the secretary of the drop-in centre.

The Native Seniors Centre has more than 200 members that range in age from 50 to 82. It is a drop-in day centre that offers a number of activities, and provides an outreach program to seniors to help them find affordable housing. The centre holds events throughout the year to entertain its members and to raise money.

Labocane said that the events give seniors a chance to show their pride, and gives them a sense that they belong to the community at large.

The evening of Oct. 28 featured artists Winston Wuttunee, Darlene Auger, the accapella group Asani, the Saggy Bottom Boys, singers Richard Jenkins and Freddie Martin, comedienne Julie Bull, magician Stacey Harrison, puppeteer Derric Starlight, and belly dancer Alvia.

Asani kicked off the evening with their unique brand of political and social commentary. Sarah Pocklington, an Asani member, is a professor of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. Her songs feature subjects like Bill C-31 and other equality issues for women.

Metis fiddler Donny L'Hirondelle and guitarist Rory Collins were crowd pleasers, and inspired a spontaneous jig from Winston Wuttunee and members of Asani.

Belly dancer Alvia had everyone clapping and some, with a little prodding, got up to participate in a belly dance around the room.

The musicians that came out for the evening donated their performances, or received only travel expenses. Country recording artist Mike Goochie dropped in for the evening and donated 50 copies of his recording "Bad Boys and Angels" to help the fundraising efforts.

Goochie was named International Country Male Vocalist of the Year in 2004 by the North American Country Music Association and won the Best Male Artist award last year at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in Toronto.