Icon win could be the start of something big

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The Alberta finals of Aboriginal Icons was held March 5, with about 200 people taking part in the event modeled in the American Idol and Canadian Idol tradition.

Performers sang either a cappella or accompanied by pre-recorded music, with the occasional person singing a song of their own composition.

The only entry requirement for Aboriginal Icon was to be a First Nations, Metis or Inuit individual, regardless of residency.

The contest was the creation of Richard Jenkins, president of Bear Clan Consulting.

Other companies involved with the project include Big Daddy Entertainment, Cooper Studios International and Sunshine Records.

Winners of the Alberta finals travel to Winnipeg and compete for the main prizes of a recording and management contract with Sunshine Records, and they also receive voice and performance coaching through Cooper Studios.

The winners will be part of a national concert tour with a performance at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in Toronto in November.

An announcement of the winners will be made at the 2005 Juno Awards, say organizers.

The Alberta winner of the six to 12 age group was Destiny Michealchuk, 9, of Grande Prairie. The 13 to 20 age group was won by Marilyn Lamouche, 19, of Edmonton.

Dallas Arcand, 26, of the Alexander First Nation who now lives in Calgary won the 21 to 35 age category, and Wayne Jackson of the Elizabeth Metis Settlement won in the 36 and older grouping.

Contestants were judged on voice quality, stage presence, choice of material, audience response, and overall presentation.

Judges for the event were Jess Lee, Winston Wuttunee, and Wendy Walker.

Jess Lee is a recording artist with the Jess Lee Band. For years Lee lived in Nashville, but returned to Canada to release the album Sacred Ground (1995), which won an Aboriginal music award and a Juno nomination.

"We want to make sure the representation of the artist is there, to make sure the Aboriginal nation is represented by the finest artists," said Lee.

Winston Wuttunee is a musician and educator who focuses on conferences and workshops targeted at adult audiences. Keynote speaker, master of ceremonies, or workshop facilitator, his new adult workshops focus on nutrition and comedy. Wuttunee has won a lifetime achievement award at the Aboriginal Junos.

"I look for the performers to endear themselves to the audience," said Wuttunee about his judging criteria. "You have to have a good voice, but if you look like a stick that isn't any good either," he said.

Wendy Walker is an Aboriginal musician who has been performing professionally since 1994, producing her first CD in 1995.

Walker has taken traditional Aboriginal teachings, music and song to audiences throughout North America and Europe. Her music carries the profound message of global peace and care of Mother Earth.

"The show is exciting, and people are nervous about performing, and we are nervous for them," said Walker about judging the contestants.

The event was hosted by Lyle Donald, and the day's entertainment was finished off by the Jess Lee Band performing at a dance and cabaret after the show.