2018 FESTIVAL PROGRAM MAY 16 – 20, 2018 MANITOAHBEE.COM With Child Without Alcohol TABLE OF CONTENTS About Manito Ahbee . 4 Welcome Messages . 5 Board of Governors / Staff List . 14 Special Thanks . 17 Indigenous Music Conference . 18 Indigenous Music Awards . 20 Festival Schedule . 38 Our Sponsors . 40 International Pow Wow Schedule . 43 Pow Wow 101 . 47 Miss Manito Ahbee . 49 Children’s Activities . 61 Art Challenge . 62 Indigenous Marketplace & Trade Show . 64 ABOUT MANITO AHBEE Hosted in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the festival draws people from across Canada, the United States and abroad. The impact of the festival reaches well beyond entertainment; it has communicated a very significant message about the importance of celebrating Indigenous culture. It arouses a far deeper understanding and powerful affirmation of Indigenous cultural rebirth and renewal. It showcases the talents, gifts and abilities of Indigenous artists from all nations. It is truly a celebration of Indigenous music, arts, culture and heritage. The Festival has established a number of groundbreaking legacies and demonstrates that Indigenous culture is fresh, contemporary and above all, relevant in a contemporary world. The name, Manito Ahbee, references a sacred site located in Manitoba’s White Shell Provincial Park, where First Nations gather to share teachings and perform ceremony. Manito Ahbee means ‘where the Creator sits.’ istoric Site, There are a number of petro forms at this special site, including one in the International Pow Wow. shape of a turtle that is used in the Manito Ahbee logo. Since the festival is a continental event, the turtle also represents Turtle Island, which is another success. name for North America. See you next year at the 2019 Manito Ahbee Festival May 15–19, 2019. GET SOCIAL! #IgniteYourSpirit manitoahbee.com GREETINGS istoric Site, International Pow Wow. success. maf 2018 festival program 5 GREETINGS 6 maf 2018 festival program A MESSAGE FROM DOUG EYOLFSON, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT As the Member of Parliament for Charleswood – St. James – Assiniboia – Headingley, it is my pleasure to extend greetings and a warm welcome to all participating and attending the 2018 Manito Ahbee Festival in Winnipeg. The Manito Ahbee Festival brings together people from across Canada and from around the world to experience some of the very best in Indigenous music, art, and culture. Over the course of five days, starting with the lighting of the sacred fire, this wonderful celebration offers all Canadians the opportunity to honour and develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and heritage. I wish to commend everyone involved in making this event possible. My best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable festival. Doug Eyolfson Member of Parliament Charleswood – St. James – Assiniboia – Headingley maf 2018 festival program 7 GREETINGS 8 maf 2018 festival program ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1600 Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5 Telephone: (613) 241-6789 | Toll-free: 1-866-869-6789 Fax: (613) 241-5808 | www.afn.ca MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS NATIONAL CHIEF PERRY BELLEGARDE On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and the AFN Executive, I want to welcome everyone to the 2018 Manito Ahbee Festival and congratulate the founders and organizers on your 13th successful year running the largest Indigenous arts, culture, and music festival in the country. I have attended the annual event many times over the years and enjoyed dancing at the pow wow, attending the music awards and seeing my friends and relatives from across Turtle Island. The Manito Ahbee Festival is an outstanding celebration of Indigenous culture and heritage. For 13 years now, this festival has provided an unparalleled opportunity for people of all nations to experience and appreciate the vitality of Indigenous cultures. The celebration of strong and diverse Indigenous cultures is an essential part of the broader efforts to increase understanding and renew the relationship between Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world. The festival provides a remarkable showcase of Indigenous cultures and creativity year after year. Once again, to the staff, Board of Governors, volunteers and supporters who have contributed to the festival’s success, congratulations on celebrating 13 years. There is much to celebrate! Best wishes for a memorable festival and many more years of success! I wish everyone a great week. Keep our circle strong. Ekosi, kinanâskomitinawow Perry Bellegarde National Chief Assembly of First Nations maf 2018 festival program 9 GREETINGS GREETINGS FROM MÉTIS NATIONAL COUNCIL To the 13th anuual Manito Ahbee Festival On behalf of the Métis Nation, I am pleased to extend my warmest Clément Chartier, QC greetings to everyone attending the Manito Ahbee Festival. President The Manito Ahbee Festival offers an ideal opportunity to celebrate Métis National Council Indigenous culture and heritage to unify, educate and inspire and to ensure that Aboriginal cultures and traditions are passed down to succeeding generations. I know that you will make the most of this opportunity to network with your peers and to plan for the upcoming festival. The Métis National applauds all of the organizers and volunteers that have worked to make this festival happen again for the 13th year. I wish To the 12th anuual Manito Ahbee Festival everyone a very memorable and successful culture celebration. Once again, congratulations and best wishes from the Métis Nation. Thank you. Marsi On behalf of the Métis Nation, I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings Clément Chartier, QC to everyone attending the Manito Ahbee Festival. President, Métis National Council The Manito Ahbee Festival offers an ideal opportunity to celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage to unify, educate and inspire and to ensure that ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS Aboriginal cultures and traditions are passed down to succeeding generations. I know that you will make the most of this opportunity to network Tansi! with your peers and to plan for the upcoming festival. As the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, I’d like to welcome everyone who has travelled from across Turtle Island to The Métis National applauds all of the organizers and volunteers that have Treaty One Territory for the Manito Ahbee Festival and the Indigenous worked to make this festival happen again for the 12th year. I wish everyone Music Awards. The lands we gather on are the ancestral and sovereign a very memorable and successful culture celebration. territories of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Dakota, Dene and Oji-Cree Once again, congratulations and best wishes from the Métis Nation. Nations. It fills me with pride to see so many different nations come together each year for the festival. Thank you. Marsi And congratulations to all the nominees at the IMAs; continue to make great music! And to the dancers and drummers here for the Pow Wow, Clément Chartier, QC good luck as you compete in one of the largest competition Pow Wows President in North America. Métis National Council Sincerely, ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS Arlen Dumas, Grand Chief 10 maf 2018 festival program GREETINGS FROM MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES Manito Ahbee is a dynamic festival that brings together all people to engage us in a celebration of Indigenous arts and culture. It showcases the immense gifts of artists from all nations and sends a powerful message of embracing and sharing one’s heritage. We have seen this event grow into one of Canada’s top tourism attractions. This success can be attributed to the passionate dedication of the elders, board of governors, organizers, volunteers and the participants. As the Presenting Sponsor, the Casinos of Winnipeg is very proud of its continued partnership with Manito Ahbee. We are honoured to host the Indigenous Music Awards at Club Regent Event Centre on May 18th, which recognizes the accomplishments of Indigenous artists and professionals from around the world. We strive to promote cultural diversity within our community, and this is a wonderful event that promotes unity, understanding and education by showcasing Indigenous culture in our province. Since 2006, Manito Ahbee has provided the opportunity for all people to share and understand the culture and traditions of the First Nations people. Together with the Manito Ahbee organizers, we welcome you to Winnipeg and invite you to “Ignite Your Spirit” as you feel the pride and excitement an event like this creates. On behalf of the Casinos of Winnipeg, I would like to congratulate the Manito Ahbee Festival organizers, along with the performers, volunteers and artisans much success with this year’s event. Thank you for your generous contributions for making a large event like this possible. Peter Hak President & CEO, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries maf 2018 festival program 11 GREETINGS MESSAGE FROM LISA MEECHES Boozhoo! It is my great honour to welcome each and every one of you to the 13th annual Manito Ahbee Festival. As we join together to celebrate our extraordinary history and traditions, music and dance, we gratefully acknowledge our ancestors and elders for guiding us through the years, and helping us to strengthen our communities and our connections with people of all nations. ‘Manito Ahbee’ where the creator sits, was a name gifted from ceremony, and since 2006, when the festival began, we have been supported and surrounded by unified spirit, seeking truth, reconciliation and hope. We thank our Presenting Sponsor Casinos of Winnipeg, sponsors, funders,