Festival fills Rogers Centre with sights and sounds

Visitors to the 13th annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival held in Toronto from Nov. 24 to 26 were treated to a wealth of Aboriginal spirit and culture and had an opportunity to take in a wide range of events including education day, fashion shows, music award shows and of course the impressive and memorable grand entries of the powwow.

More than 1,500 dancers dressed in full regalia entered the powwow circle for the first time on Nov. 25, making for a spectacular showing. The grand entry took place three times during the weekend, twice on Nov. 25 and once on Nov. 26.

There weren't many people standing still during the processions. Every single person in the Rogers Centre seemed to be either swaying or bouncing to the rhythm of the drum.

Education day kicked off the first day of the festival, with close to 7,000 students from more than 120 schools attending the festivities. It was a place for the kids to learn more about the Aboriginal culture but it was also an opportunity for friends like Maddie Froman, Tahnee Martin, Shelby Montour and Jess Martin to come together.

"I came today to learn more about my culture and others," said Montour who, like her friends, is from Six Nations in Ontario. "I also want to learn what people think about us."

There were 28 teaching stations located around the Rogers Centre for education day. Students rotated stations every half hour so they could participate in as many of the activities as possible. They had the opportunity to learn how to make their own mystery bracelet. According to instructor Donna Leach, the mystery braid that makes up the bracelet represents life."There's no beginning and no end," said Leach.

Another station taught participants about the talking feather. Students listened about the teachings of respect, truth and attentiveness.

"The talking feather is used for talking the truth. You have to respect every life being," said station facilitator Linda Standing of White Bear First Nation. "To speak within the talking circle one raises their feather."

Students also had a chance to see and participate in hoop dancing demonstrations, hand drumming and traditional songs. One of the most popular stations saw students lined up to participate in a three-way tug of war.

The powwow competition spanned two days of the festival, starting on Nov. 25 and concluding on Nov. 26. There were close to 120 winners from the powwow competition, including six dancers from Saskatchewan who walked away with cash prizes.

In competition for ages 6 to 12, Laryn Oakes placed first in fancy dance and Treian Whitehead placed first in boy's grass. Mallory Oakes earned second place in girls jingle in the same age category.

In the adult 18 to 49 women's fancy category, Lisa Ewack-Noon captured third place in women's fancy and Melinda Whitecloud placed fourth in women's jingle. Linda Standing, who was also a facilitator during education day, earned a first place win in the Seniors 50 plus women's traditional category.

Another of the highlights of the festival was the eighth annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Award, which recognized the achievements of Canada's top Aboriginal artists. The awards were held Nov. 24 in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's John Bassett Theatre.

The big winner of the evening was Andrea Menard, who took home three awards-best folk album and album of the year for Simple Steps and best song single for 100 Years. Menard co-hosted the star-studded evening with musician Lawrence Martin, who is also the mayor of Cochrane, Ont.
Although shocked and ecstatic each time her name was called, Menard recognized the other nominees in the category she won in. Along with Menard, Tamara Podemski, Susan Aglukark and Donna Kay with Little Island Cree held four nominations going into the awards show.
Podemski was also a big winner during the ceremony, taking home awards for best female artist and best songwriter.

Along with the main awards, three additional Special Honour Awards were handed out recognizing special achievements. The Keeper of Traditions Award was given to Joseph Naytowhow, recognizing his efforts as a keeper of the Cree tradition in his community of Sturgeon Lake. The award recognizes the individual's dedication to the study, teaching, education and continuance of Aboriginal traditions in music, which Naytowhow has tirelessly done. He carries the traditions forward through storytelling and song.

The Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music Award was presented to Germaine Langan, a Cree woman from Muscowpetung First Nation. Langan is a founding member of the Aboriginal Arts & Culture Celebrations Society. For nearly 10 years, the society has been bringing Indigenous performers from across Canada and the world to celebrate the past, present and future of Canada's Aboriginal people in Vancouver. It started out as a two-day event but has transformed into a week long festival.

The last special award went to Donald Quan, who received the Music Industry Award. Quan is a non-Aboriginal member of the Canadian music industry who was recognized for his work as musical director of the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Mixed in with the award presentations were performances by Aglukark, M'Girl, Mike Gouchie, Intellifunk, Art Napoleon, Eagle & Hawk, Weaselhead and Randy Wood, but one of the highlights of the evening was the Kahurangi Maori Dancers of New Zealand who gave a memorable and inspiring performance.

The Kahurangi Maori Dancers sauntered onto the stage barefoot and wearing grass skirts and they gave a commanding, eye bulging and tongue-out demonstration. In previous years, representatives from the Maori nation have participated in the festival as honoured delegates and performers.

According to Tama Huata, artistic director and founder of the Maori dance theatre, officials of the Maori people have been so inspired by the festival that they intend to host their own music awards in February 2007.