Impressive showing from NWT for Expo

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VANCOUVER - Native entertainers from the Northwest Territories will be displaying their talents to the world when Expo '86 in Vancouver opens May 2.

May 2 to October 13, performers and demonstrators from every region in the NWT, will be featured in music presentation and arts and crafts, as artists, and story-telling as each of the four district performing areas.

According to NWT Pavilion Commissioner George Braden, the cultural corporate partners and sponsors has enhanced the program.

"We are tremendously excited at the prospect of being able to showcase such a wealth of northern talent at Expo."

Pat Buckna, manager of cultural programs and special events, says we're going to give the world a taste of how rich and how diverse the north really is."

The majoring performing venue is the NWT Air Stage, where visitors walking by the pavilion will be entertained by scores of northern Native musicians, as well as several national and international performers.

The list of Native performers during Expo includes: Garey Emile, pianist and songwriter from Fort Smith; Charlie Panigoniak, Inuit Guitarist and songwriter from Eskimo Point; Larry Hagen, songwriter from Arctic Red River; David Gon, Dogrib songwriter from Fort Simpson; Pat Burke, Metis singer from Fort Smith; Ernie Constant, Slavey singer from Fort Providence; Simonee Keenainak, Inuit according musician from Frobisher Bay; Native Cousins Band featuring fiddler Angus Beaulieu from Fort Resolution; NWT Metis Reelers from Yellowwknife; Fort Good Hope Drummers, traditional Dene drummers; Delta Drummers and Dancers from Inuvik; Shidene, featuring John Landry Dene Band from Fort Providence and the Northern Games athletes from several northern communities are some of the exciting presentations at the fair.

The next presentation includes a variety of cultural and lifestyle demonstrations in one large canopied area. Located outside the pavilion, Native people will show many bush skills and techniques demonstrated by the Lennie family from Arctic Red River.

An authentic caribou skin tent and implements from the Keewatin will be provided by the Baker Lake Traditional Camp and the Fort Rae Dene Heritage will demonstrate the making of various pre-European contact clothing, tools and implements in a reconstructed Dene Summer Camp. Also, Dene drumming and handgames, rarely seen outside the NWT, will be presented.

Inuit from the Arctic Bay Kayak Builders and Cultural Performers will show a construction of an authentic sealskin kayak, carving and Inuit drum dancing, while the Uniaq Construction, people from Eskimo Point, will build and launch a large skin boat.

The art of paddle and snowshoe making will be demonstrated by Phillip and William Netsiza from Lac La Martre while Jane Dragon and Elizabeth Bourke from Fort Smith will show the art of moosehide tanning.

Northern women have been known for their artistic work in arts and crafts. The Producer Stage located in the pavilion will provide some of the finest crafts people from the NWT, with moosehair tufting by Bernice and Carol Bonnetrouge, Slavey women from Fort Providence, Sarah Cleary from Fort Norman will demonstrate northern sewing skills and Sonny Mcdonald from Fort Rae will present a woodcarving chair he made for Pope John Paul II.

Inuit soapstone carvers will be present, including northern artists Peat Van Loon from Fort McPherson and Archie Beaulieu from Fort Rae.

Slavey twins will also be showing their talents, as Bernadette Norwegian will show her artistic ability while Bertha will play classical guitar and sing in the Icicle Restaurant. Both girls are from Fort Simpson.

Birch baskets will be shown by Martina and Karen Kotchea from Fort Laird, and Snare Lake women will demonstrate Dene leather and beadwork.

Icicle Restaurant, a 250-seat, will provide patrons with musical performances. On sunny days, entertainment will be held on the outdoor patio, and evening, musicians and storyteller and authors will etertain guests. Jim Green, an award-winning poet and raconteur from Fort Smith whose humor and insights into northern life delights audiences across Canada is one of the performers.

Northern residents will be celebrating a one-day affair, when June 21 is set aside as the Northwest Territories Day at Expo 86.