Aboriginal model and talent search turns up lots of talent

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With famous faces like Val Kilmer and Cher making it big in the entertainment world, the floodgates of fame have been flung wide open for people of Aboriginal ancestry to sing, dance and act their way into our hearts.

But what about the heady world of high power advertising, glossy magazines and newspapers, the image makers and breakers of our times? Where do Aboriginal people fit into the big picture spread today?

"We all like to think we are beautiful in some way," said Lucy Carter, cosmetician and teacher at Onion Lake First Nation.

"Most people out there aren't aware of how beautiful some of our girls are, how good looking our guys are, and how much they need that kind of reinforcement to see their own culture and traditions out there as part of the big picture, looking super cool and special in the media.

But in reality, there is a real shortage of trained models and actors of Aboriginal descent and except for culturally specific publications and newspapers, they don't get a whole lot of exposure out there in the mainstream, something we hope to help change," said Carter.

One of the mandates of the cosmetology program at Eagleview High School is to help students build their self esteem, confidence, and poise. It isn't just a matter of making a great first impression. It also means learning to carry the ball with personality, talent and people skills, Carter said.

An important part of developing these skills has been Eagleview's annual participation in the province-wide Aboriginal Model and Talent Search hosted by the SHE Modeling Agency in Saskatoon during the third week of March.

"Over 300 Aboriginal entrants from all over Saskatchewan attended this year's event, including 13 of our own students, and even though they didn't bring home the top prize, the experience was very valuable for our kids," said Carter.

From learning to put together a working portfolio, to the fun of strutting their stuff in high fashion threads by Aboriginal designers Jeff Chief, Marge Reynolds and the Manitou Designs Institute, the Eagleview students got a real taste of life on the catwalk, the ups, downs, highs and lows.

Entry was by invitation only, after applications and photos had been submitted.

All 13 of the Eagleview students who applied were asked to attend and take part in the fashion show.

Five of them, Stephanie Belly, Jonathon Whitstone, Owen Pahtayken, gold medalist boxer Bryan Whitstone and Jordon Waskewitch made it into the semi-finals, with Waskewitch winning second runner-up in the finals.

"There's a whole lot of pressure involved from start to finish. It takes guts to tackle hundreds of others, knowing that there is a real chance of being rejected, but the rewards are definitely worth it," Carter said.

Jordon Waskewitch, a young man of striking poise and presence, who's in top shape after a grueling season of playing Jr. B hockey with the St. Walburg team, has his sights set on a possible career in film and modeling.

"It was a really good feeling to be able to get up and strut my stuff at the competition. I want to get my image out there as an Aboriginal man and it would be inspiring to see more of our own First Nations kids featured in magazines and newspapers," he said.

Owen Pahtayken, a Grade 12 student and semi-finalist, is also interested in breaking into the film industry.

"We're not used to seeing many Aboriginal models and actors and that should be changed. There should be more positive awareness of our people and culture in the media. I would like to be in a movie but that would totally depend on the part and director," he said.

Having a chance to take part in a modeling contest was loads of fun and very educational, said Tamara Pahtayken and Kristy Cardinal.

"We learned how to pose, carry ourselves and pull together the basics of good grooming. But we also learned that modeling is hard work, can give you aching feet and is definitely not all glamour," Pahtayken said.

With all the work, pressure and anticpation involved, taking part in this year's Aboriginal Model and Talent Search was a real eye opener, said Kimberly Dillon.

"It was fun, exciting and a real learning experience. I would like to see more Native people featured in magazines, something that would make me feel proud of my culture, proud to be who I am. And it would show people that we are capable of doing anything," she said.