March 2011 Edition What is Planet IndigenUs? “We are all from somewhere, a place on this earth from where we trace our ancestors. Indigenous people trace ancestry back through time immemorial to places of origin; places where they are rooted; and places that brought forth a unique culture, language, spiritual framework and environment.” Planet IndigenUs is About Us Mira Coviensky, Artistic Associate, visits AWME in Australia AWME is the Australia-Pacific region’s premiere music industry conference and showcase of Indigenous, roots and world music. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend in November. The programme was held in Melbourne, Australia, which is a beautiful city. The performances were outstanding! There were way too many performers to list them all in this article, but Mira Coviensky Artistic Associate, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto. here are a few. New Zealand musicians were well-represented. WAI presented new music out of ancient Maori roots, traditions and language in the soul/folk genre. Poi Piripi Kapa Haka Group joined by Kulkal Baba Saibai Island Dance Group performed traditional Maori dances. Nga Tae fused Maori traditional music with electronica. King Kapisi presented a high-energy hip hop fusion performance. Bella Kalolo sang bittersweet melodies, and Maisey Rika sang in a fusion of English and Maori lyrics. And this was not even the whole New Zealand contingent. Australia’s Indigenous community was also well-represented. Frank Yamma, one of Australia’s most important Indigenous songwriters, gave an intense performance of his songs. Dan Sultan delivered his dynamic mix of blues, soul, rock and country. King Kadu’s sound incorporated Merian music of Torres Strait, traditional instruments and contemporary influences. Street Warriors are well-respected pioneers of Indigenous hip hop and performed with their unique energy. And there were more…I was also able to hear artists speak at different presentations. The presentations provided a context and a deeper understanding of the music. Artists, producers, arts council representatives and other industry personnel spoke of the challenges for Indigenous artists in the past and the present – reaching across the huge distances in Australia, giving back to the community, avoiding being pigeonholed to a side-stage event, maintaining integrity and respecting traditions while performing. The successes were also noted – developing a unique Pacific reggae style, learning how to make the music industry system work in the artists’ favour, and producing successful events like Sand Tracks (a remote Indigenous contemporary music tour). Rhoda Roberts, former Director of the Dreaming and current Festival Director of the Garma Festival, and Sam Cook, Artistic Director of The Dreaming Festival, were generous in sharing their knowledge and experiences with me, as was Mark Smith, Manager of Music NT, Mark Grose of Skinnyfish Music, and other festival directors and industry people involved in Indigenous arts. The enthusiasm of the people I met with about Planet IndigenUs Festival 2012 was exciting. This included those who were instrumental in the success of Planet IndigenUs 2009, such as representatives from the Australia Council for the Arts/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board and from Creative New Zealand/ Maori Arts Board. I was also able to discuss Planet IndigenUs with those less familiar with the festival, such as representatives from the different state arts councils and the city of Melbourne, as well as other festival directors, and received an equally enthusiastic response. I left Australia totally inspired by the passion and commitment displayed at AWME! For more information about AWME visit www.awme.com.au. Dave Jones Wins Education Award at the 2010 Dream Catcher Foundation Awards Gala in Hamilton, Ont. The Dreamcatcher Awards gives recognition and appreciation to Aboriginal people who empower, inspire and educate all people and improve the quality of life within the community as well as sharing hopes and making dreams come true. There are six categories and Dave Jones won the Education Award on October 21, Dave Jones 2010. Thousands and thousands of applications came from all over the country, and we here at Turtle Concepts feel very proud that Dave received this award. Dave Jaegar Jones, a member of the Garden River Ojibway First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been an inspiration to thousands of Aboriginal people, particularly the youth. A former school teacher who had taught in remote communities, Dave is founder and owner of the Turtle Concepts confidence- building youth workshops phenomenon. Presently an entrepreneur, researcher and motivational speaker much in demand, world wide, Dave strongly believes in traditional Aboriginal teachings, adding a contemporary twist to them in his sessions. He speaks of how "education is more than a key or a ticket, it is a lifestyle. We are continually learning everyday from conception". He thinks it has become abnormal to defend positive, healthy choices, and feels it is time to restore confidence in all cultures around the world. For more information about the Dream Catcher Foundation, visit www.dcfund.ca. For more information about Turtle Concepts, visit www.turtleconcepts.com. Debajehmujig Theatre Group from beautiful Manitoulin Island, Ont. Debajehmujig translates as “storytellers” from the Cree and Ojibway languages and is a professional community-based non- profit organization dedicated to the vitalization of the Anishinaabeg culture, language and heritage, through education and the sharing of original creative expression with Native and Non-Native people. Debajehmujig Theatre Group A Debajemujig theatre group performance. was founded by Shirley Cheechoo, Blake Debassige and a group of like minded colleagues in the summer of 1984 in West Bay, (M’Chigeeng First Nation) Manitoulin Island, Ont. The company was established so that Aboriginal youth would see their own lives and their own stories reflected on stage. Debajehmujig was incorporated under Provincial Charter on September 26, 1986, and in August of 1989, moved to Wikemikong Unceded Indian Reserve where it remains to this day, with head office on Debajehmujig Lane, down the hill from the performing venue – the Holy Cross Mission Ruins. Debajehmujig was the first, and remains the only, professional theatre company located on a First Nation Reserve. On May 21, 2009, in the 25 th year of operation, the company expanded with the opening of the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in the neighbouring community of Manitowaning- a 15,000 square-foot multi-disciplinary creation, production and training centre. Debajehmujig’s Theatre Group includes Executive Director/Artistic Producer Ron Berti, Artistic Director – School Bruce Naokwegijig, Artistic Director – Theatre Joe Osawabine, Cultural Community Liaison Audrey Wemigwans, and many more artistic and talented cast members. Planet IndigenUs has been grateful for Debajehmujig hosting Planet IndigenUs interns including Janis Monture; Executive Director, Woodland Cultural Centre, Lisa Odjig; Programme Associate and Candice Jacko; Planet IndigenUs Adminstrative Coordinator of Harbourfront Centre, Toronto. For more information visit: www.debaj.ca. Harbourfront Centre and Planet IndigenUs Welcome Aaron Sykes, Artistic Associate Aaron Sykes majored in English and Aboriginal Studies with a minor in Political Science at the University of Toronto. Originally from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Aaron now works in the Toronto arts industry with a focus on programming arts administration. Aaron has travelled with the imagineNATIVE Northern Ontario Tour in the 2009 & 2010 seasons. Currently, he is Artistic Associate with Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, working with the Planet Aaron Sykes, Artistic Associate, Harbourfront IndigenUs festival and initiatives. Centre, Toronto. “A people without a history is like the wind over buffalo grass”. - Sioux Viewpoints Aboriginal Women in the Arts: Using Art to Reclaim Traditional Roles, March 30th, 2011, 7:00pm-9:00pm, Studio Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto This evening will showcase a mixture of art forms including: a reading by author Lee Maracle, musical performance by Cheryl L’Hirondelle, and a film screening by director Terril Calder. Following these three performances a panel discussion will take place with moderator Candace Maracle, author and journalist. This show exhibits three unique and game-changing women. The panel will address the challenges and triumphs these artists have faced; their connection with their communities, and what they see for the future in aboriginal arts and the arts in general. Planet IndigenUs Photo Project: “In Our Eyes” is a photo/audio mentoring and public awareness project taking place during the UN’s International Year of the Youth (August 2010-August 2011). Aboriginal youth, both on-reserve and urban, will be mentored in their communities by one or more Aboriginal photographers in basic photographic history, theory, techniques and equipment. Throughout the project, the participating youth will be taught the role of photography in storytelling and social change. Participants will be provided digital cameras and asked to explore several themes over 24 to 48 hours. Planet IndigenUs is pleased to announce their partnership with Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Chiefs of Ontario Youth Council, and participating communities and community organizations. Artist-in-Residency (AIR Project) March