Feature stories

February 19: BC First Nations Cultural Showcase

Groups representing the First Nations Summit and Nisga'a Nation highlight the marquee today at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion. Four First Nations from British Columbia make up the Summit portion of the lineup. The Ktunaxa Nation is located in the southwest part of BC. Their traditional territory stretches across the border to the United States. The Xwamstut Culture Group represents the Shíshálh First Nation located on the west coast of BC. They will perform traditional drum and dance numbers representing the stories of their culture. The Taku Kwaan Dancers take the stage next, making the long trip to Vancouver from their home in Atlin in northwestern BC. Their drum and dance group, dressed in ceremonial blankets tell the traditional tales of the Taku River Tlingit people. Finally the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation from the central interior performs at the Chief's House.

The Nisga'a lisims Government representing the Nisga'a Nation present a show entitled Nisga'a Reflections. This variety show is dedicated to the community builders within each of the four Nisga'a villages of New Aiyansh, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgaltsap, and Gingolx. At the turn of the century, the Nisga'a people came together under the influences of the church to live together and form a community. This show will highlight some of the positive aspects of that experience from the brass band and choir that culminate with cultural dancing and singing from Nisga'a youth.

Every day from 3:30pm and to 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.

For the 9:30pm evening performance series entitled Independent Power Projects, what more can you expect but hard pounding, body shaking sounds to get you moving. Jerry Alfred is a Northern Tutchone Crow Clan member of the Selkirk First Nation. He and his band Shun Dun play a brand of country rock that really gets the toe tapping. Vancouver's Bitterly Divine has quickly come to be known for its thundering bass line flavoured with the thump of traditional First Nations drumming . The band, who has five members from the Squamish Nation sings about issues that affect Aboriginal people but has found a mainstream audience who've been captivated by their sound and message. From down under comes Tjupurru, who learned to play the didgeridoo on a vacuum cleaner pipe in boarding school. Now he plays a unique slide didgeridoo which allows him to create different tones and notes. Tjupurru mixes cultures, technologies and sounds to create what he describes as 21st century Didjetronica.

Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase

A lineup of talented Aboriginal women take over the main stage at the Artisan Village and Business Showcase today. Janet Rogers is a Mohawk from the Six Nations territory in Ontario. An accomplished writer she works in multiple genres including poetry, short fiction, science fiction, play writing, spoken word performance poetry and video poetry. She brings her talents to the stage at 11:00am. Sandy Scofield traces her ancestry to that of Métis, Cree and Saulteaux. She hails from four generations of fiddlers and singers. She has been described as a complex artist who can effortlessly move from centuries old Aboriginal vocal styles to satiny pop to robust rhythm & blues and rock. She can be seen on the main stage at 3:00pm. The 6:00pm show features sisters Cheri and Sheila Maracle. The two talented singers, of Irish and Mohawk descent have come a long way from their day of busking in the streets of Vancouver.

At the Artisan Village, today is the last day to get a look at the beautiful handmade spirit catchers by Métis artist Nancy a Luis. Luis' spirit catchers come in many shapes such as bears, birds and even the sun. She was born and raised in Vancouver. Her Aboriginal roots are Iroquois from the Kahnawake Nation in Quebec, and Cree from St. Boniface Manitoba.