Festival bigger and better

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The second annual Talking Stick Festival presented by Full Circle: First Nations Performances will be held at the Fire Hall Arts Centre and the Vancouver Art Gallery June 17 to 23.

Talking sticks, eagle feathers and stones have always been an integral part of Aboriginal gatherings. Anyone who wished to speak can be heard without interruption and with respect. This is the creative thinking that Margo Kane, Full Circle's artistic director, had in mind when she developed the Talking Stick, along with Kevin Loring and Lisa Ravensburgen.

The festival will feature respected Elders Byron Chiefmoon, Shirley Bear and Vera Manuel speaking about the artist as a healer. Storytellers Red Roots Theatre and Beverly Hungry Wolf will be showcased nightly as will Chief Ian Campbell and the Youth Ayetaway Dancers from the Squamish First Nation.

New to the festival this year is poet and playwright Joseph Dandrun, who will be giving daily poetry readings as part of the community events, and filmmaker Greg Coyes.

Wrapping up the festival June 23 will be a vividly exciting evening performance of Rebecca Belmore's Living Art.

The full schedule of the Talking Stick Festival is available online at www.fullcircle.com or by telephoning (604) 683-0497.