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Gala celebrates talent of northern Quebec

Author

By Marie White Windspeaker Contributor QUEBEC CITY

Volume

29

Issue

8

Year

2011

On Oct. 8, the first ever Teweikan Music Gala was held in Quebec City amidst the rich décor of the Capitole Theatre.

Geoffrey Kelley, the Quebec Minister responsible for Native Affairs, attended the gala organized by the Société de communication Atikamekw-Montagnais (SOCAM) under the direction of Bernard Hervieux.

SOCAM, a non-profit organization that seeks to promote and recognize excellence in Native music in the regions of Quebec and Labrador and to enhance visibility for Native artists, hopes to hold the gala every two years.
“The first edition of this musical event is a true success. I’m convinced that the gala will give First Nations and Inuit culture even greater visibility, because it’s an extraordinary showcase for Aboriginal artists and a great way to pay tribute to their talent,” said Kelley.

“I hope that Teweikan will become an event that everyone interested in culture in general and Aboriginal culture in particular marks off on their calendar.”

The minister had the honour of giving out two awards: the Public’s Choice Award and the New Native Talent Award. The Quebec government gave a $21,000 grant to sponsor the gala.

Artists submitted their candidatures in September.

The artists, composers and interpreters had to be 18 years old, a member of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community from Northern Quebec, and reside in Quebec or Labrador. All musical styles were welcome.

Awards were given in eight categories, and seven of the winners were revealed prior to the gala. The jury awarded the following prizes: Best Song in a Native Language to the Innu singer Philippe McKenzie for his work entitled “Innu”; Best Song to the Innu singer Shauit for “Shapatesh Nuna”; Best 2011 Album to the Anishnabe singer Samian for “Face á la musique”; and Best New Native Talent Award to the Attikamek singer Laura Niquay for “Kakinkwantcioc.” The SOCAM, JBCCS Cree Radio and Taqramiut Nipingat Inc. (TNI) awarded the Best Ambassador Personality to the Inuit singer Elisapie Isaac, the Radio Choice Award to the Eeyou/Cree group CerAmony, and the Honorary Recognition Award to the Attikamek singer René Wezineau.

Wezineau’s lively country-western style music made the audience stomp its feet and cheer. The evening culminated with the announcement of the winner of the Public’s Choice Award, which had been selected by online voters from among 60 nominees. The award went to Denis Chachai from the Attikamek community of Obedjiwan.

The Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief for Quebec and Labrador, Ghislain Picard, an Innu, told Windspeaker “Tonight is a packed house in a beautiful setting, and the organizers should be very happy. We’ve always known that the talent was there, but now it’s out in the open. It’s very positive.” He later told the audience how honoured and privileged he felt to be present at this unique first gala.

The drum that gave its name to the gala, the teweikan, was talked about first to open the evening.

“It is a very important instrument that our parents taught us to use with great respect,” explained the host, who invited all to stand for a tribute song.

Then, the six members of the Black Bear drum group, Attikameks from Manawan, performed from their collection. Two Inuit throat singers from the James Bay area, Alacie Sivuarapik and cousin Akinisie Sivuarapik, followed with several of their traditional songs.

When the Inuit singer from Salluit, Elisapie Isaac, received her award as best ambassador, she said, “I try to preserve our music as much as possible. Though we singers seem to be making music for ourselves, really we are just the deliverers of the song, of the emotions. Thank you so much for your support.”
Well-known Innu performer Florent Vollant, the gala’s spokesperson, united all the performers on stage at the end for an energetic grand finale, to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.