Aboriginal arts festival set

Youth from across Treaty 3 will be attending the second-annual Festival of Arts for Aboriginal Youth coming up May 22-25 at the Nanicost building here.
“It’s going to be wonderful,” said co-ordinator Denise Bluebird. “We’ll have workshops ranging from traditional teaching and drumming all the way to graphic arts, fashion, and theatre arts.”
The festival, hosted by the Seven Generations Education Institute, will provide students with opportunities to explore their personal beliefs and values.
Registration begins next Wednesday at 2 p.m., followed by the opening feast at 5. “C-Weed” will be performing at 7 p.m. at the Couchiching Bingo Hall, with tickets costing $15.
On Thursday, the day starts with breakfast at 8 a.m., with workshops and an art exhibit/sale running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A youth talent night/karoake will begin at 7 p.m. at Nanicost.
Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. again Friday, with workshops and the art exhibit/sale going from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wiichiigikamigiziiwag, which will showcase aboriginal artists, is slated for 7 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre. Tickets for that cost $8.
The festival received $14,500 from the Trillium Foundation to host the event to develop and showcase career opportunities in the non-traditional field of arts and culture.
“We’ve also received funding from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, and INAC [Indian and Northern Affairs Canada],” Bluebird said.
Early registration is free, but registration on the first day of the festival will cost $20. For more information, contact Seven Generations at 274-2796.