Aboriginal artists gather to share and inspire

Page 6

Some familiar faces mixed with the not so familiar in Saskatoon this past May, as Aboriginal artists gathered to celebrate and share their knowledge with each other.

Hosted by the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC), Gathering Our Artists was held in Saskatoon from May 27 to 29. Aboriginal artists from across Canada, as well as one New Zealander, performed for and presented to the more than 100 delegates taking part in the inaugural event.

"It feels like everything positive and good in one place," explained actor and producer Jennifer Podemski in the symposium's opening keynote address. "It feels like strength, feels like future. We need more of this."

Though Podemski's list of achievements includes co-founding and running the production company Big Soul Productions, acting in various television programs, dabbling in documentaries and speaking to Aboriginal youth across North America, she said she was "humbled and overwhelmed" to be in the presence of so many talented artists.

The list of presenters boasted musicians, actors, directors, playwrights, film-makers and dancers, including playwrights Tomson Highway and Maureen Belanger, actor and playwright Mark Dieter and actor/singer Andrea Menard. There were 18 individual presenters and two group presenters-the SNTC Youth Ensemble and the Le La La Dancers from the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation near Victoria, B.C.

During her address, Podemski encouraged the delegates to glean as much information as they could from the artists. She said by coming together at such symposiums, Aboriginal artists "can change the world.

"More importantly, we're going to change ourselves, and that's where it begins."

While she worked in the television field, Podemski said she "recognized the absence of people like me." She said it's up to Aboriginal people to change that.

"It's our duty to make our history. The world isn't going to change for us."

Trenton Lee Fiddler is taking Podemski's advice and putting it into practice. Fiddler, 19, and one of his friends are planning to start up a drama program for children on Waterhen Lake First Nation, replacing an old drama program that has fallen by the wayside. He attended the symposium to get new ideas about teaching the drama class and said the presenters were good teachers who knew what they were talking about.

"I pretty much look up to them."

He said it was inspiring to be with actors he'd watched on television as a child, like Tantoo Cardinal and Gordon Tootoosis.

"They did it. Maybe other First Nations can do it, too."

That's exactly what Podemski wanted for the youth: to be inspired. If she could send a message to them, it would be "to continue to mentor one another and to inspire and to live in truth and keep the arts alive."

After Podemski's keynote address, delegates attended sessions until mid-afternoon where they could work more closely with artists.

Friday evening was capped off with a showcase of Saskatchewan Aboriginal talent that included music from familiar faces such as singer/songwriter Phil Boyer, master fiddler John Arcand and singer/songwriter Chester Knight. New talents Eekwol and Raine Morin also sang, as did the Young Scouts, a group of Round Dance singers. Skill Force Crew, break dancers who practice at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge and University of Saskatchewan campus, also wowed the audience.

A gala extravaganza, dinner and art auction were held Saturday evening to raise funds for a new Aboriginal performing arts centre the SNTC hopes to build.

Right now the 110-seat Black Box Theatre in Saskatoon is being used as the company's main stage, but would become the second stage if a new centre were established, explained Donna Heimbecker, SNTC's general manager.

"The strategy opens the door and puts Saskatoon on the map as Aboriginal presenters."

Heimbecker said SNTC would like the new theatre to be in the heart of their target community of Riversdale in Saskatoon'swest side.

"In doing so, we support the revitalization of that neighbourhood," she explained.

Like many artists and delegates who attended the symposium, Heimbecker believes that can be achieved through the arts.

"We utilize the arts to develop healthy, vibrant individuals and communities ... because it's an effective way to engage and empower young people who are challenged."