Aboriginal people gather to celebrate film art

Page 1

This year's first ever Indian Summer World Festival of Aboriginal Motion Pictures, involved more than just film-watching.

It was a time of sharing as Aborigines from Australia, Maoris from New Zealand, Sames from Lapland, Hopi's from the United State and Canadian Natives exchanged information about their cultures. They talked about filming techniques and how their people were returning to the old ways of living.

"Everyone seems to be at different stages in filming," said Suzanne Lorinczi, president of the Pincher Creek Film Society which staged the Aboriginal film event Oct. 8 to 11. "They all had so much information to share."

About 1,000 people attended the event to watch films from far away places, as well as attend workshops seminars and cultural events.

According to Lorinczi, it was an effort on everyone's part to make the original idea of an Aboriginal film festival a reality and "to bring together Aboriginal people from all over the world who are involved in film and video productions. It has become very evident that this festival is more than just a festival. The mission of the Aboriginal people is voiced through these films."

At the opening ceremonies, Earl Old Person, Chief of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, mentioned the importance of film and video as a media for what Aboriginal people stand for:

"Our people in the past always communicated through sign language and other means. Today there are more sophisticated ways of communications. We may set a precedent and show that motion pictures is one way for Native people throughout the continent to relay their messages to the outside world, so they know our ways, to help understand one another so we can all be one people of this country while maintaining our ways of life. I came from Montana because I felt this is an important event."

General manager of the festival, Percy Little Wolf Smith, also expressed his gratitude for the support the event was given by film industry professionals, at the opening ceremonies.

A vast array of films were shown ? such as "Uluru," the story about Uluru rock, its history from an Aboriginal perspective and its return to the Aborigines in Australia in 1985. And "Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Metis Child," a film that examines the foster parent and social welfare system, using the diary of Cardinal who committed suicide. Many directors and producers accompanied their films.

Cultural exhibits with North American Indian artifacts were put on display at the Memorial Ice Arena. Displays from the Blood, Peigan, Blackfoot and photo's from their history were also on hand for viewing. AT the Napi Friendship Centre the "Roots of Chile" exhibit could be seen, and a Tipi Village was set up for people to visit.

"The National Film Board celebrates its 50th year and the Banff Film Festival will celebrate its ninth year soon. Wouldn't it be wonderful, 50 years from now, if the Aboriginal Film Festival could do the same and say it began here at Pincher Creek," commented Alberta's Minister of Culture, Greg Stevens.

Alberta Culture contributed $85,000 towards the first annual Aboriginal film festival and the minister made a promise that the same amount would be available for next year's festival.

Festival organizers are still reeling from the success of the event. "We've had calls from all over Canada about the festival and we even had a call from Cosmopolitan magazine (a slick, trendy American women's publication) about previewing the festival for next year," said Lorinczi.

Planning for the 1988 edition is already underway and it's hoped it will comprise more culture events and attract even more people.

Correction:

A story entitled "Aboriginal people gather to celebrate film art", which appeared in last week's Oct. 16, 1987 issue of Windspeaker incorrectly named Suzanne Lorinczi as the president of the Pincher Creek Film Society. In fact, the president is Mr. Csaba Lorinczi. Windspeaker apologizes for ay confusion this error may have caused.

Also in our Oct. 16 edition Helen Gladue said to have been born in Beaver Lake. She was born on the Samson reserve, her husband Joseph was born on the Beaver Lake reserve. He was raised by Mr. and Mrs. Yellowcalf on the Enoch reserve. We apologize for any confusion caused.

In our Oct. 2 edition Freezien Norris was said to be Malcolm Norris' daughter. She is in fact his niece.