New season launched

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Toronto Native Earth Performing Arts, Canada's premier professional Aboriginal theatre company, has proudly and joyously launched its twentieth season with a lavish fund-raising gala.

Tickets included a gourmet candle-lit dinner, silent auction featuring paintings and prints by renowned Aboriginal artists Maxine Noel and Robert Houle, and a dinner for four created by Chef David Wolfman.

Musical entertainment was provided by Rose Stella (Annie Mae's Movement), Cheri Maracle (Global TV's Blackfly) and Star Nayea. It was a chance to meet and mingle with Buffy Sainte-Marie, Carla Robinson (CBC Newsworld), recording artist Murray Porter, and the members of the Pappy Johns Band (of APTN's Buffalo Tracks.)

The evening wrapped up with the Latin rhythms of Juno nominee Diego Marulanda and Pacande (Bogata, Columbia).

Alanis King, former artistic director with Dabagahmajig Theatre Group of Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island, was appointed artistic director of Native Earth Performing Arts in August 2000 and eagerly leads the company into its twentieth season.

"This past year has been one of great change and growth for me. I am so happy to be with Native Earth at this momentous time in their history. I am fortunate to be the one to lead this wonderful company into their twentieth season. More than anything, I am so pleased to be able to present the first work of our third decade, The Daphne Odjig Art Show, which will run from Nov. 6 to the 25 at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto," said King.

"I visit Toronto whenever I get the chance, although this trip to Canada also allowed me to go home for a week for a visit and that has left me feeling a little homesick," said Buffy Sainte-Marie, gala co-chair.

"I feel so honored to be invited to this event as it gives me a chance to mingle, but also to speak about Aboriginal arts, something that I feel very passionate about. I feel as though the arts are the true medicine of the world. It is the one thing that the politicians never try. They never try applying the arts. I don't know how many concerts or presentations I've been involved with and while the artists are doing their thing the business people are in the back counting the money. Artists are not just keys to the cash register. Artists have a special kind of medicine that nothing else can do, and we don't know where it comes from any more than anybody else does."

Sainte-Marie said that Aboriginal people around the world know about the extraordinary work of Native Earth.

"They know that this company not only combines our traditional values and stories but also the best of the future and the creativity that inspires people in the community of all races."

One important announcement of the evening was that Elaine Bomberry, who started out her long career in the Aboriginal arts and entertainment business with Native Earth Performing Arts, has rejoined its staff.