The “traditional” way of life, as practised by Canada’s aboriginal people, is not something that can be studied from afar. Writing about the traditional ways–even in the most basic manner–is difficult, if not impossible.
Those ways are meant to be experienced; to be passed on through direct, one-on-one sharing.
That’s one of the precepts behind “Anishinabe in the Millennium: The Creative Experience,” a unique celebration of native culture and traditions being held at the Atikokan Intergenerational Centre for Arts and Alternatives.
Spread over two weekends (Feb. 16-18 and 23-25), “Anishinabe in the Millennium” puts an emphasis on experience with a series of workshops and performances from a lively group of native artists and elders.
Six native artists, and a number of artisans, from Seine River First Nation will display their work and conduct a series of artistic workshops during the first weekend.
The centrepiece of the second weekend will be an extended session on alternative healing methods with Ralph Johnson, a medicine man from Sioux Lookout, that will culminate in a sweat lodge.
Seine River, though small, actually has a fairly vibrant community, noted Ira Johnson, one of a half-dozen artists who will exhibit. The others are Clayton Whitecrow, Wilfred Morrisseau, Roger Whitecrow, Conrad Johnson, and Patrick Kabatay.
Though they are all familiar with one another’s work, this will be their first exhibit as a group.
“You’ll see our work in native organizations and institutions all over the region,” said Johnson. “We are getting greater exposure.”
It’s gone as far as Winnipeg, where some of Johnson’s work was featured at the Health Sciences Centre.
Reaching an ever-broader audience has allowed the artists to expand their horizons, and to command slightly better prices. For most, though, it’s still a struggle to make art a paying proposition (the starving artist is obviously a cross-cultural archetype!)
Things get started next Friday evening (Feb. 16) at 7 p.m. with the opening of the exhibit and a few words from each of the artists, followed by a coffee house.
The workshops get underway the Saturday morning, with sessions on beading and loomwork (participants will bead a leather pouch or jewellery), watercolour (with traditional stories), and framing using organic materials such as red willow, sinew, and poplar.
The sessions, which will extend into Sunday if the facilitators and classes so decide, range in cost from $12 to $25 (all materials, save paint brushes, will be supplied).
Registration is limited for each (call Fraser for more information at 597-8738).
The art exhibition will run at the centre’s gallery through the following week (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily).
The second weekend (Feb. 23-25) gets underway with a concert featuring the Ira Johnson Band. Ira (vocals, guitar) and Brian Kabatay (drums) have been playing together for a quarter-century. Their cousin, Kevin (bass) Johnson, has joined the band just recently.
“We keep our options open, style-wise,” said Ira Johnson. “We do blues, contemporary folk, R and B, and the more aggressive sound of straight-ahead rock.”
In addition to original material they have developed, the group also covers the work of musicians ranging from Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tom Petty, Steve Miller, and the Stones to Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.
The alternative healing workshop with Ralph Johnson also will get underway that evening (Feb. 23), with an introduction and preparations for the sweat lodge.
The sweat is an important–often life-changing–event, and Johnson brings a reverence to the preparations as well as the actual sweat.
The workshop (slated Saturday, FEb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) is designed to help participants better understand the significance and tradition of the sweat.
The ceremony itself will take place that evening beginning about 7 p.m.
Atikokan’s Darcy Whitecrow has acted as an important link in bringing the Seine River artists and the centre together. He’s also helped organize a trapper’s workshop, which will be held on that Saturday with Joe Whitecrow Jr.
He’ll lead participants through setting traps, skinning, and stretching pelts as he recounts some of the native traditions and history associated with the beaver.
Finally, Ira Johnson will lead an artist’s workshop looking at the summer landscape through acrylics, lead, and coloured pencils.
On both Saturdays, participants will be treated to lunch (soup and sandwiches) and supper (a traditional feast).
To pre-register for any of the workshops, contact the Intergenerational Centre in Atikokan at 597-8738.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
