Feature stories

A Cree Way of Life

A powerhouse lineup of musical performances greets visitors to the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion February 16 as the Grand Council of the Crees takes its turn on the pavilion marquee with a show entitled A Cree Way of Life. A trio of Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Winners highlights the day. Kenny Mianscum, winner of the CAMA 2009 Keeper of Traditions Award will entertain with a folksy sound reflecting the Cree way of Life. Darryl Hester took home the Music Industry Award in 2009, given for his contributions to the advancement of Aboriginal music and musicians in Canada. The producer, songwriter and musician from Waskaganish Quebec brings an upbeat inspiring country sound to the Aboriginal pavilion. The haunting melodic music of singer-songwriter Melissa Pash will be featured as well. Melissa, the winner of the 2007 Music Industry Award says her music may sound modern, but is a thousand years in the making. Joining them is a strong lineup of Cree performers exhibiting a diverse range of musical styles. They are: Byron Jonah-Flidder, Joshua Iserhoff, Gordon Iserhoff, Francine Weistchee, Roger House and Richard Bosum.

Interspersed among the musicians will be cultural displays reflecting the Cree way of life. Storytellers will be on hand to treat the audience to age-old Cree stories and legends. Elder Berthi Longchap will demonstrate the art of making snowshoes. Longchap still traps and continues to reside within his traditional hunting territory in northern Quebec. As a young boy his father taught him the traditional methods of making snowshoes and he continues to do so to this day. There will also be demonstrations of spruce basket making as well as how to make Tamarack Decoys, which are woven out of the twigs of a Tamarack tree to resemble a Canada Goose.

Every evening starting at 3:30pm and running approximately every half hour until 7:30pm, the Four Host First Nations is proud to present We Are Here at the Chiefs' House ― a spectacular 360 degree multimedia experience featuring the driving beats, vivid sights and compelling stories of Aboriginal culture across Canada.

Cold Cuts is the title of the evening performance starting at 9:30pm with Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers). This Squamish Nation drum and dance troop performs the legends and deeds of the Smylaith Tribe (Sasquatch), and of the Animal Kingdom (The Raven, Seagull and Sun). Spakwus Slolem presents a glimpse into Squamish culture through singing, drumming and dance, and audience participation. Ian Ross is an award winning playwrite known for his "Joe from Winnipeg" commentaries on social issues from the mundane to the most pressing. Finally, singer-songwriter-composer Sandy Scofield lends her stunning voice to two separate ensembles to cap off the set.

Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase

Three fabulous shows by a trio of diverse artists highlight the Aboriginal Artisan Village Main Stage starting at 11:00am. Stó:lō rap/hip hop artist Ostwelve has gone from learning the ropes as a teenager at hip hop jams in Vancouver to travelling the world to open for the likes of Snoop Dogg and Coolio. He now brings his act to the main stage for a one hour set. Mohawk blues man Murray Porter calls himself "a red man, singing the black man’s blues, living in a white man's world." It sums up what drives this award-winning songwriter. He plays at 3:00pm. Three hours later at 6:00pm Inuit throat singers Lois Suluk-Locke and Maria Illungeayuk perform the unique and mesmerizing style of singing unique to the north followed by fiddlers Wesley Hardisty and Richard Lafferty.

The final day of the fashion showcase sees another group of emerging designers flaunt their fashion flair on the Artisan Village fashion stage at 3:00pm. Kim Picard, Tammy Beauvais, Tracy Toulouse, Nadine Spence and Louie Gong highlight the show.