Top News - March -2002 Published March 15, 2002 Shea Greyeyes was one of the performers that took to the stage during the 10th annual Voices of the North Aboriginal musical showcase held in Prince Albert Feb. 14 to 16. Turn to page 2 for more VOTN coverage. Photo Marjorie Roden Voices of the North celebrates decade Recommendations made to improve library services Investment in Wanuskewin to pay long-term dividends This is only a partial listing of the stories featured in the March 2002 issue of Saskatchewan Sage. If you are not receiving your own copy of Sage, then you have missed out on a lot. Voices of the North celebrates decade Marjorie Roden, Sage Writer, Prince Albert This was a special year for the annual Voices of the North (VOTN) Aboriginal music showcase, which marked 10 years of celebrating and promoting Aboriginal music talent in Saskatchewan. The theme of this year's show, held in Prince Albert Feb. 14 to 16, was Up Where We Belong. In keeping with the theme, and to celebrate the 10 year milestone, performers from past showcases who have since gone on to have successful music careers were invited back to perform at this year's event. And the Buffy Sainte-Marie song that inspired the theme was used to close the show, sung by Doyle Ironstand and Connie Mike, along with the show's entire cast. "This has been our tenth anniversary, and we wanted to make it special," said VOTN producer Bernice Sayese. "I think that we accomplished that goal." According to Sayese, 121 people auditioned to be part of this year's showcase, vying for one of 12 spots in the show. "Besides the people that were chosen, we bring back guests who performed in previous shows, and we had some special guests this year who we thought deserved to be recognized for their accomplishments in the music industry," Sayese said. Among the special guests who were invited to perform were Lorrie Church and Chester Knight, who appeared on Feb. 14, Vern Cheechoo who appeared at the early show on Feb. 15, Ray Villebrun, who appeared at the late show on Feb. 15, and Don Corrigal along with his bands Just the Boyz and D.C. and the Boys, who performed on Feb. 16. Villebrun who, with his band Red Blaze has recorded two CDs, feels that his past involvement with the show helped his musical career out considerably. "It's a big boost," he said. "I first performed here three years ago, and then I sat out a couple of years. I'm a strong believer in 'don't overstay your welcome.' There's so much talent here that there's no one act here that should continuously hog the limelight. There's too much talent here, it should get heard. Saskatchewan is just smoking." One portion of the show, which was new this year, was a segment called Fiddling Through the Ages, where six fiddlers, ranging in age from 12 to 77 each played, first solo, and then in unison. The most experienced of the group, Claude Adams, said he thought the show went exceptionally well. "The cast got along so well together, very co-operative, and me being the senior member of the group, I was treated just like royalty. I was almost embarrassed by how nice everybody treated me. I'd come in, undo my violin and get acclimatized, and somebody would already have a chair out for me. They'd bring me drinks, and that kind of thing," Adams said. "I've worked my way through from being the youngest through to being the oldest, and probably played, with no exaggeration here, with at least a thousand fiddle players over the years." The fact that Adams was able to perform this year was a personal triumph for him. I'm making a comeback, actually. I had a stroke and I thought I'd never play the violin again, but I'm back playing it a little bit." Duane Kimbley, a performer from Beauval, heard about the VOTN show through a relative. "Sheryl Kimbley (VOTN co-producer) is my cousin in law, and she said they had a show, so she asked me to come and audition. That was in 1996, it was the second show, and I made it. I actually didn't try out again until this year again, and I actually made it again." Although Kimbley has performed in the show only a couple of times, there was some time between his performances, and he could see the growth and change in the show. "It's grown so much in such a short span," Kimbley said. "When it started, it wasn't a very big thing. In (Prince Albert), you have the Country North show, and that kind of thing, so that was the big deal. But now, Voices of the North is the big thing. You mention it once up north, and everybody knows what it is that you're talking about." Villebrun has also noticed changes in the show over the years. "It's gotten better. The production is getting better, and they're learning a little more and the organization is getting a little bit better. They're developing the ability every year to take on a few more acts and to make it a bigger and better show." Top Recommendations made to improve library services A long list of recommendations on how best to increase public library use by Aboriginal people across the province has been put together by the Minister's Advisory Committee on Library Services for Aboriginal People. A report containing 46 recommendations was released by the committee in mid-February, following a series of public consultations held over the summer to gather input from First Nations and Métis people, the library community, and other members of the public. The committee was formed to find out how to increase First Nations participation in the public library system, and to increase the number of First Nations and Métis individuals using public libraries. Among the recommendations included in the report are ensuring people living on reserve have access to the full range of services provided by the public library, and that funding for individual libraries take into account the numbers of on-reserve people within their coverage area. The recommendations also suggest that First Nations should have ownership and primary responsibility for public libraries located on reserve, and that further development of on-reserve libraries be encouraged. Other recommendations include further research into what barriers exist preventing Aboriginal people from using the library system, and steps to make the libraries more inclusive, including providing cultural awareness and sensitivity training to staff and library board members, adding more Aboriginal content to the libraries' collections, and encouraging Elders to get involved in library programming. Efforts to encourage more Aboriginal people to become library employees and board members are also suggested. "I extend our thanks and appreciation to the Advisory Committee on Library Services for Aboriginal People for this report," Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ron Osika said following the official release of the document. "It will help us to set direction and to form the basis for future development of effective public library services for First Nations and Métis People." Copies of the final report are available on the Saskatchewan Libraries' Web site at http://www.lib.sk.ca/staff/minaboriginal/ablib/ablibfinal.html. Top Investment in Wanuskewin to pay long-term dividends Ross Kimble, Sage Writer, Saskatoon Wanuskewin Heritage Park, located just north of Saskatoon on a picturesque piece of land bordering the South Saskatchewan River, has already accomplished much in its 10 years of existence. In this span, the park has grown from an ambitious but unproven dream to a world class cultural and tourism facility that now attracts thousands of visitors per month. On March 6, the government of Canada recognized Wanuskewin for its successes and made a strong commitment to its future by announcing $500,000 in new funding through Western Economic Diversification (WD). "Building on our past support for this wonderful Park, WD is pleased to help Wanuskewin renew its visitor centre. This is important, behind-the-scenes work that has to be done in order for the rest of the park to function properly," said Stephen Owen, Secretary of State for both Western Economic Diversification and Indian Affairs and Northern Development. As Owen's words indicated, the new funding will be allocated to a number of capital projects, such as renovating the park's visitor centre and upgrading its aging computer system. Though only 10 years old, these building improvements are needed because the current facilities can no longer adequately handle the large and ever-increasing number of visitors. The total cost of the planned renovations, which will begin soon and be completed in 2003, is estimated at $656,000. "This is a significant contribution towards the future success of our 6,000 year old National Historic Site," said Sheila Gamble, chief executive officer of the park. "Infrastructure changes and a refurbishment of the park's exhibit halls will provide crucial support for Wanuskewin to expand on its international tourism destination status." Some 40,000 people visited the park in 2001. When renovations are completed in 2003, this number is expected to rise to 54,000. At present, 25 per cent of visitors are international, coming from France, Great Britain, Japan, Germany, South America and the United States. The park plans to increase national and international visitations to 40 per cent. Considering that these already impressive numbers have been achieved primarily through word-of-mouth advertising, this goal seems easily attainable. "Western Economic Diversification supports initiatives to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada. More domestic and international tourism will certainly help the park, the region and the province," said Joanne Mysak, the WD's manager of consultations, marketing and communications. Though the park's popularity and financial well being go hand-in-hand, Wanuskewin is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. Its mission is not to make money, but rather to foster greater public awareness, understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Tourism is a major part of this mission, but Wanuskewin also strives to be a leading scientific, cultural and educational authority on the Northern Plains First Nations people. The upcoming renovations will also contribute to growth in this area, primarily through a greater cooperation with the University of Saskatchewan. The U of S already works closely with Wanuskewin, maintaining a number of archeological sites on the premises. More spacious facilities will allow the university to have an even greater on-site presence, and could include offering classes from the park itself. "Future justice and prosperity in Western Canada will be linked to the full participation of Aboriginal people in the overall economic development of the West," said Owen. "Working with the West, the government of Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada are providing programs and services that maximize the most valuable resources available - the talents, energy and ideas of western Canadians." Top