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Top News - June -2001
Published June 4, 2001
These children found some time for a little fun on the
playground while attending the Thunderchild Interschool Memorial
Powwow held May 25. For more images from the interschool powwow,
see page 6.
Photo by Pam Sexsmith
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These children found some time for a little fun on the playground while attending the Thunderchild Interschool Memorial Powwow held May 25. For more images from the interschool powwow, see page 6. Photo by Pam Sexsmith |
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Youth theatre takes a new look at an old story
Nations gather at Interschool Memorial Powwow
Prince Charles gets a new Aboriginal name
This is only a partial listing of the stories featured in the June 2001 issue of Saskatchewan Sage. If you are not receiving your own copy of Sage, then you have missed out on a lot.
Youth
theatre takes a new look at an old story
By David Lilley
Sage Writer
NEKANEET FIRST NATION
A touring troupe from the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Group
presented their latest production, "Love Songs from a War
Drum," at the Okimaw Healing Lodge on April 29 as part of
the 2001 Circle of Voices Saskatchewan Tour.
The theatre company features a teenage cast that has been developed
through a series of drama workshops conducted by the theatre
group. While most of the actors have stage experience, the training
focuses on the cultural component. The cast were introduced to
healing and talking circles, as well as Elders teachings and
sweatlodge ceremonies.
"The cultural and spiritual element is a very important
part of the cast's development. The cast is drawn from a number
of First Nations bands across Western Canada," explained
artistic director Kennetch Charlette, from Sandy Bay, Sask.
"Everyone in the cast and crew is encouraged to be alcohol
and drug free. This is truly a case of walking the walk and talking
the talk."
The play story line evolved following a series of talking circles
with cast members. Writers developed the outline from the members'
experiences.
"Love Songs from a War Drum" tells the story of two
young lovers, Tanis and Rathan, who become caught up in gang
warfare because of relatives. Eventually they die in tragic circumstances
as they try to flee the chaos that is enveloping them.
Themes for the 2001 production emphasize four elements; love,
family, identity and gangs. Although it is easy to draw similarities
with Shakespeare's classic "Romeo and Juliet," "Love
Songs" is set in today's urban Canada and focuses on the
problems and pressures facing many First Nations' youth as they
struggle to find their identity in an often conflicting and confining
society.
"The production is targeted toward the eight- to 12-year-old
group," Charlette said.
The movement and spirit of "Love Songs" is infectious.
The fight scenes are both realistic and energetic, while the
young cast's enthusiasm gives drive to the message that we all
must change or be consumed by the hatred and conflicts in our
societies. The producers believe the underlying messages of the
story can apply equally to all Canadians.
Cheryl Arcand , a 16-year-old high school student from Kawacatoose
First Nation, began acting about four years ago with the On Stage
Performing Arts Program in Saskatoon. She plays the lovelorn
Tanis.
"I love the adrenaline rush when you're performing before
an audience," she said.
Arcand believes the play has a message for all young people and
may help some. "I see the arguing and fighting around some
of my friends and family," she said.
Mitchell Poundmaker, a 19-year-old from Little Pine First Nation,
is a Grade 12 student at Saskatoon's Joe Duquette school. Poundmaker
plays Rathan, from an opposing gang, who falls for the beautiful
Tanis. Poundmaker has been involved in drama programs since Grade
10, playing roles in several other productions including "If
a Tree Falls" and "The Perfect Rose."
Mitchell readily admits much of the action in the play is violent,
but believes that the shock value of the climax may open some
young eyes and help them to change their lives.
"Sometimes it takes a shock to shake people's complacence,"
he said.
The healing lodge was the first time the touring company played
in a correctional institution, where the residents enthusiastically
received the production. They have since played to a packed house
at the provincially managed North Battleford Youth Centre. The
theatre group has been encouraged by the positive response of
the production from both these audiences.
Nations gather at Interschool Memorial Powwow
By Pamela Sexsmith
Sage Writer
THUNDERCHILD FIRST NATION
Students from 15 First Nations from Saskatchewan and Alberta
gathered for an all-day celebration of dance, music, hand games
and outdoor activities during the Thunderchild Interschool Memorial
Powwow on May 25.
Joining together were students from Thunderchild, Loon Lake,
Kehewin, Onion Lake, Poundmaker, Red Pheasant, Sweetgrass, Moosomin,
Saulteaux, Joseph Big Head, Island Lake, Witchekan Lake, Mosquito,
Big River and Little Pine, as well as students from Avalon school
in North Battleford.
"It is a day to shake hands, make friends, laugh, get along
and dance," said Chief Delbert Wapass in his opening address.
Chief Wapass thanked the Thunderchild students and staff for
organizing the powwow and all the families and schools for coming
to support their children.
Emcee James Thunderchild introduced the host drum, Big Bear,
who played the honor song for the grand entry.
Elder Emma Okanee gave a prayer and blessing in Cree, followed
by a welcome address given by principal Hussain Barbari and director
of education, Ralph Morin.
After the introduction of the powwow princesses and a round of
intertribals, Peggy Sunchild and Laverne Thunderchild led a march
to honor the graduates of the nursery Cree immersion class.
After a hot chili and bannock lunch, hosted by Thunderchild,
students from grades 1 to 12 joined in an afternoon of dance
competition, men's and ladies free style, intertribals and owl
dance.
It was also a special day to remember; for parents, grandparents,
family and friends to join in a memorial procession to celebrate
the legacy of an exceptional young traditional dancer, Sundance
Traveler Wapass, who died in a car accident last October at the
age of eight.
Fifteen junior traditional dancers, lead by younger brother Montana
Rain Wapass, danced a memorial honor circle to pay their tribute
to Sundance, brother, friend and fellow dancer.
After the staff introductions and presentations, a long procession
of students and dancers danced out the flags and eagle staff
and prepared for the journey home.
Prince Charles gets a new Aboriginal name
By David Lilley
Sage Writer
NEKANEET FIRST NATION
One of the highlights of Prince Charles' recent visit to Saskatchewan
was his receiving of an Indian name. Gordon Oakes, Elder and
past chief of the Nekaneet band, gave the Prince his name in
a brief naming ceremony at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, near Saskatoon.
"I had a lot I wanted to say to him. It was a great honor
to give him this name and it will be a day to remember,"
Oakes said.
Oakes also recalled that it was 125 years ago that Queen Victoria
sent her officials to western Canada to negotiate for the land
and sign treaties with the First Nations' bands living on the
prairies.
"I thought Prince Charles should be honored and it was a
great honor for me to do this after 125 years. HRH Prince Charles
is the Queen's great-great grandson and that made giving him
this name so very important to First Nations peoples."
Prince Charles' Indian name came to Oakes during a special sweatlodge
ceremony and after many prayers.
"A name isn't given from the mind, but comes from prayer,"
he said.
"I'm very proud and honored that I am one of the few Elders
that can give a name."
Prince Charles' Indian name is Pisimwa Kamiwohkitahpamikohk,
which translates to "The sun looks at him in a good way."
Oakes is one the Saskatchewan Elders working with the federal
government on the Indian treaties.
"The Treaties are alive today and they remain unfinished
business," said Oakes.
Like many elders, Oakes believes that treaty rights of many first
Nations' bands are being eroded, and there should be renewed
negotiations to restore and finalize them, and in some instances
strengthen them.
"These are part of the healing between the new-comers and
First Nation's people," Oakes said.
"We only gave up surface rights. The federal government
gave the provinces the mineral rights in the 1930, but these
were never discussed with the First Nations' people.
"When the Treaties were negotiated, the Queen didn't have
enough money to buy the land. That is why the treaties speak
in terms 'for as long as the sun shines and the rivers run',
to describe the duration of the treaties, Oakes said.
Traditionally, it is recognized the land ceded by the First Nations
to Canada was to the depth of a plowshare, with the First Nations'
retaining ownership of the land beneath that depth.
"Resources remain an issue to be discussed and resolved.
We're rich people in the land and we shouldn't have to live on
welfare, but now we're the poorest," Oakes said.
"I'm not ashamed to talk about the treaties because it's
the truth," he said.