Artists support Odawa friendship centre

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Aboriginal art was on the block on Dec. 6 at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre in Ottawa as 180 collectors paid $25 a ticket to have a traditional dinner and the opportunity to purchase original Native Canadian artwork.

The auction raised $17,000 that goes toward the centre's overhead cost as well as core programming. Jerry Lanouette, president of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, was pleased and said the auction is essential to keeping the centre open.

"Between what the cost of our mortgage is and utilities it would seriously put us in a deficit and at risk of having to shut the centre down. Other than the powwow, this is one of our major fundraisers for the centre and it helps us provide services to our urban Aboriginal people in Ottawa," said Lanouette.

The auctioneer for the event was Gerry Lepage of Ashton Auction Services. He donated his time as he has for the past eight years.

Lepage commented on the quality of work collectors have come to expect from the auction.

"The quality keeps on getting better and better every year. The idea is to get this to be the best Aboriginal art auction in Ottawa, Ontario, and Canada. And have a real super art auction every year to support the centre."

Lynda Kitchikeesic, who hosted the evening, said "The artists who contribute art to the art auction are making a contribution in more than one way. First of all, Aboriginal art goes to places where it wouldn't normally go. And second of all, a lot of these people are serious collectors. So they are actually adding their art to a nice collection of art. It raises the exposure of the artist as well as helping raise money for Odawa programming. It's just a win-win situation."

More than 72 pieces of Aboriginal art were donated. Lawrence Freed from Waterhen First Nation in Saskatchewan was one of those from across Canada who donated their art to the auction. He explained why he contributed:

"As you know, the Odawa friendship centre does a lot of good things in the community. And I feel as if I am doing a very important part by donating these pictures and trying to help out in any way I can."

Another artist who contributed was Alma A. Lo from Six Nations in Ontario. Lo hand-knitted a pink and white child's blanket.

"For each of the colours on this blanket it took me five hours. So I couldn't really do it all in one sitting. Making it took me about two weeks. But I'm glad to donate to the auction and support the centre."

Before the auction started, a traditional dinner of cream of squash soup, roasted breast of chicken, baked Arctic char, buffalo meatballs in a sauce, wild rice casserole and dessert was served, all included in the price of admission. Ottawa chefs Gary Lafontaine and Terry Nixon, created this traditional feast that was well appreciated by the hungry crowd.

The drum group O.J. Cree, Inuit throat singers, and singer-guitar player Raven Kanataka entertained collectors during the dinner. Kanataka explained why he believes Native art and music is so important in helping the community.

"I always go back to that prophecy, that they say it's the artists that are going to come back, rise up and wake up the people from their sleep, from their dream time. The Indigenous people of Turtle Island have been sleeping for over 500 years. And it's really the artists, writers and musicians who are now really talking about the issues and what's on the table. The people are waking up."

The centre plans to host another auction next year. Those interested in donating art can call Jerry Lanouette at the Odawa Friendship Centre at 1-613-792-9008.