Talent shines at Voices of the North showcase

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A number of talented performers got a chance to shine at Exhibition Place in Prince Albert from Feb. 16 to 18 as part of the 14th annual Voices of the North show.

Youngsters like 11-year-old Samantha McKay, 12-year-old Darrelynne Bickel and 15- old Cote Roulette were among those featured during the annual showcase of Aboriginal musical talent that has grown in popularity since it was first added to the line-up of the Prince Albert Winter Festival in 1992.

Newcomers Jarrod Jobb, Ken Petit Jr., Joel Durocher, Steven Johnston, Curtis "Jigger" Ledoux, Ryan Pewapisconias, Dorothea Swiftwolfe and Emily Whitefish also performed, along with returning guest Teagan Littlechief, who has recently released her seventh single, Once an Eagle.

The band Sacred Ground rounded out the list of Voices of the North performers. "The experience and the opportunity to perform in a crowd that size is just awesome," said Sacred Ground member Willie Pinacie.

The masters of ceremonies for this year's Voices were grass dancer Cal Arcand from Muskeg Lake and Colin Perret, vice-president of Musqua Entertainment Inc., the organization that co-ordinates the annual showcase.

This year's festivities began with a powwow drum group and grand entry with fancy, traditional, grass and jingle dress dancers. Next up was a special guest, Metis fiddler John Arcand, who played for a group of young jiggers. The show wrapped up with a jam session featuring a number of talented fiddlers.

The theme of this year's event was Celebrating Our Diversity and the theme was reflected not only in the differing musical genres featured during the show but also in the stage decor, which featured Aboriginal art and a nod to all of Saskatchewan's Aboriginal linguistic groups.

That diversity also showed up in the variety of locations from which this year's performers hail. Although Voices of the North was begun as a showcase for Aboriginal performers from northern Saskatchewan, the success of the event is drawing talent from various locations within and outside of Saskatchewan who want to audition for the annual show, said Musqua Entertainment Inc. president Sheryl Kimbley, who has been involved in the event since the first Voices of the North was held.

Kimbley and the Voices of the North board of directors put in long hours to ensure the success of this year's event, as did the featured performers who had just days to prepare after finding out they'd been selected to take part.

"It's been a rewarding experience for both organizers and performers," said Kimbley. "Each entertainer will walk away with a smile on their face and the experience of being at centre stage."

A number of volunteers also gave of their time and energies to make Voices of the North happen. It takes at least 100 volunteers to assist with all aspects of the event, from decorating and set-up to gate keeping, security and sales.

In addition to celebrating the success of this year's show, Kimbley and her husband Grant were also celebrating their anniversary. Both are members of the Voices of the North band and met during the planning stages of the first ever Voices of the North event.

The idea of creating Voices of the North as a showcase for Aboriginal performers originated with Bernice Sayese, who dreamed of creating a meaningful opportunity for youth in the performing arts. Sayese passed away in March 2004, but the event she worked hard to create lives on, continuing to provide opportunities for young people to realize their dreams. In recognition of her efforts, Sayese will be inducted into the Prince Albert Women's Hall of Fame later this year.