IASO Awards

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They came from across the country to share their knowledge and, in fine First Nations' tradition, they did.

Writers and film, video, radio and television producers were called to Penticton to attend the third annual Aboriginal Media Arts Symposium, sponsored this year by the Indigenous Arts Service Organization (IASO) in partnership with the Ullus Collective.

"The Indigenous Arts Service Organization, founded in 1995, was set up to focus on emerging artists in all areas such as visual arts, literary arts, media, film, video, acting and music," said Barb Cranmer, president of IASO.

The three day event was held March 18 to 21 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and attracted participants from all fields of media.

Each mentor conducted workshops in his or her particular field of expertise. Cleo Reese and Ron Barbour, both producers at Vancouver's Co-op Radio, facilitated workshops on the Aboriginal Radio Retreat. Columpa Bobb and Renae Morriseau brought their many years of experience in theatre, film and television to their workshop on Acting for Film or Theatre, which helped actors to examine and participate in performances, define non-stereotypical roles and develop a strategy for auditioning. Brenda Chambers (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), an independent television producer with more than 15 years of Aboriginal communications experience, and Jeff Bear, long-time videographer, documentary-maker and television producer (First Stories, VTV) were mentors for the Television Magazine Production clinics. These clinics covered the step-by-step process of developing a first draft, pitching, identifying the appropriate format for a story, production and management budgeting processes. Award winning writer/dramatist Drew Hayden Taylor (Only Drunks and Children Tell The Truth) facilitated the Scriptwriting for Film or Theatre workshops which allowed participants to review the processes of scripting, pitching and point of vision while also examining and critiquing Canada's Aboriginal films.

Travis Marr, desktop publisher with Secwepemc News, and a graphic artist and cyber-entrepreneur, explored and demonstrated new technology and web-page design in his presentations on Multi-media and Internet technologies.

While skill development workshops were conducted, daily screenings of works by new Aboriginal filmmakers and media artists were shown. A wide variety of pieces indicated new directions in film and video productions that are being undertaken by First Nations artists. An interesting promotional short about a series in development by Aspire Entertainment and Kla How Ya Communications called The Mask Of Shylaquen. It brings First Nations myths together with fantastic computer graphics in a contemporary yarn that explores the dark side of Aboriginal mysticism. Productions like Dorothy Christian's award winning "An Indian Act Shooting the Indian Act" documenting Yuxweluptun's (Lawrence Paul) landmark trip to London where he shot copies of the Indian Act, provided a window on contemporary Aboriginal filmmakers. The depth and breadth of the quality and calibre of videos and films that were showcased transcends the historical and contemporary Native experience, taking the viewers into a new realm of Aboriginal visions.

Other highlights of the symposium were the mid-day luncheons that featured a film panel with dignitaries such as Gary Farmer, Barb Cranmer, Trevor Cameron, and Niko Theodosakis relating their experiences with creating, producing and directing films. After each panel member had his or her say, a question period followed, allowing fans to express their appreciation and allowing peers to ask questions. Another luncheon panel featured Judy Manuel (IASO), Charleen Davis (Telefilm Canada), George Johnston (National Film Board/First Peoples Cultural Foundation), and Greg Young-Ing (Canada Council First Peoples Committee on the Arts) sharing information on funding sources, criteria and processes.

A creatie non-fiction roundtable had Drew Hayden Taylor, Lee Maracle, Maria Campbell, Jeanette Armstrong,Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm and Sandra LaRonde brainstorming on the creative process and writing individual pieces that may be published as a collection.

A banquet was held on the final evening of the event beginning with a rousingly comedic performance, "The Best Of . . . Comedy Extravaganza" by Toronto's Art AlterNative Collective, featuring Lee Maracle, Columpa Bobb, and Herbie Barnes (The Rez), Syd Bobb, Timothy Lorne Hill and Drew Hayden Taylor.

The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony.

The awards and their recipients are: Community Service Award for Commitment to Native Communications, Deanna Cook; Community Service Award for Outstanding Volunteerism, William Wilson; the Arnie Louie Award for Community Service, Lynne Jorgesen; Aboriginal Radio Award, recognizing audio excellence in the field of radio, William George; Aboriginal Cinematography Award for outstanding imagery reflecting Indigenous people and culture both traditional and contemporary,Rick Sagayadan; Aboriginal Producer/ Screenwriter/Director Award for Most Outstanding individual Artist of the year, Rusty Jack Wilson; Sponsor and Contributor Award acknowledging those who have supported Aboriginal programming, First Story VTV; Aboriginal Multimedia Award for Internet, Website, CD Rom choices produced in B.C., Turtle Island Native Network; Future Aboriginal Filmmaker Award for the emerging filmmaker of the year, Vern Bevis and Herb Cook; Aboriginal Media Arts Showcase Choice Award, Virginia Babtiste; Aboriginal Media Inspirational Award, the overall choice reflecting new emerging artists in film and television, Duane Marchand; Aboriginal Print Media Award, Delores Charters, editor of Stolo news; the Aboriginal Television and Cable Award honoring programs produced for TV or cable in B.C., Dorothy Christian; and Aboriginal Title of the Year, honoring the best theatrical/film releases produced in B.C. ith at least 51 per cent Aboriginal involvement, Renae Morriseau.