Gathering Of The Good Minds Announcement

[tlagiloi]

>July 20, 2003
>MEDIA RELEASE
>
>The Gathering of the Good Minds Committee including: Wiiche Ke Yig, Museum
>London, Museum of Archeology, Nokee Kwe, N'Amerind Friendship Centre,
>Children's Museum and numerous community volunteers present...
>
>The Gathering of the Good Minds: A Celebration of Native  Arts, Wisdom and
>Culture 
>
>This three-day festival will feature First Nations Elders, traditional
>teachers, artists, dancers, singers, storytellers, filmmakers, writers and
>comedians to entertain and inform Native and non-Native audiences alike. The
>celebration begins the evening of Friday September 26th with opening
>ceremonies at Museum London and will continue through to Sunday September
>28th with events at Museum London, Museum of Archeology (Sunday) and the
>Covent Garden Market.
>
>In traditional Native culture the ‘Good Mind' describes the mind that is
>endowed with the intellect and intuition to survive in today's world along
>with the creativity to express its worldview through song, dance and the
>visual arts. The Gathering of the Good Minds will acknowledge this theme by
>assembling a circle of established First Nation artists, teachers, and
>Elders who represent both contemporary and traditional Aboriginal arts and
>wisdom. This is a rare opportunity for the entire family to experience
>Aboriginal Canadian film, visual arts and performance, and participate in
>workshops and teaching circles with Elders, as well as children's workshops
>and activities.
>
>On Friday evening at 7:00pm opening ceremonies at Museum London will be
>hosted by Dan Smoke-Asayenes.. The festival will continue on Saturday and
>Sunday with the primary art exhibition, performances, and workshops in
>progress at  Museum London, on Sunday there will be a series of events
>scheduled at the Museum of Archeology. A direct route bus will be made
>available for partons to attend at both locations. Vendors featuring
>Aboriginal crafts will be present in the Market for the duration of the
>festival. 
>
>The public is invited to Sunrise Ceremonies each morning on the Museum lawn
>Friday through Sunday at 6:00 AM, followed by breakfast and refreshments at
>approximately 8:00 AM. A Sacred Fire which celebrates Spirit and life will
>be kept burning throughout the weekend on the front lawn of the museum, next
>to the teepee.
>Everyone is Welcome and Admission to all events is free.
>For more information on the festival, artists, elders, and performers visit
>our website at: www.thegatheringofgoodminds.netfirms.com
>
>Media Contact people: 
>
>Dan Smoke - Asayenes
>#61-1290 Sandford St.
>LONDON, Ontario   N5V 3Y2
>5l9 659-4682
>dsm...@uwo.ca
>
>
>Amanda Eisen
>137 Dundas St. 
>London, Ontario   N5Y 3W5
>Tel: (519) 667-7088
>Fax: (519) 667-4872
>Email: small_...@yahoo.ca
>Website: www.thegatheringofgoodminds.netfirms.com
>
>
>                                     -30-
>
>
>
>THE GATHERING OF THE GOOD MINDS: 
>A CELEBRATION OF NATIVE ARTS, WISDOM AND CULTURE   
>September 26 -28, 2003INVITED PRESENTERS
>
>Alanis Obomsawin
>
>Distinguished filmmaker, singer, storyteller and author, Alanis Obomsawin is
>a member of the Abenaki Nation. In 1967 she directed her first film,
>Christmas at Moose Factory, for the Canadian National Film Board. Her latest
>film Rocks at Whiskey Trench is her fourth powerful documentary feature
>describing her impressions of the Oka crisis. Obomsawin has earned more than
>30 awards for her films internationally, as well as being honored with the
>Order of Canada (1983), the federal government's highest honour, and a
>Governor General Award (2001) for her long-standing contribution and
>commitment to Aboriginal Canadian cultural heritage. 
>
>Robbie Antone
>A local performer, originally from the Oneida Settlement by Lambeth,
>Ontario. Robbie has been singing the blues for several years. He has been a
>guest on the hit TV show Buffalo Tracks (APTN)  
>
>Ida Baptiste 
>Ojibway woman originally from the Berens River in Manitoba. She has lived in
>London, Ontario for several years, creating many fine oil paintings. Ida
>graduated with a Honours B.A. from Trent University and has received her
>Ontario Teacher Certificate. Ida also has some beautiful beadwork to share.
>She has learned the fine art of Petote stitching from Mary Lou Smoke and has
>gone on to create some beautiful patterns while applying beadwork to some
>Sacred items.  
>
>Danny Beaton
>A Mohawk with roots in the Six Nations, now lives in Toronto. Danny has been
>active in the Native cultural and arts' scene for many years. He was the a
>principal organizer of "Project 
>Indigenous Restoration" in 1992, which featured elders, artists and healers
>from across Canada, the USA and South America. Danny is also a portrait
>photographer and now a documentary film-maker. His many movies have been
>shown on various T.V. programs for the past decade.  
>
>Dylan Campbell 
>An invited artist - was born Native but raised in a Scottish family in
>Southwestern Ontario. A self taught artist and sculptor, his first print
>"Spiritual Awakening" is worth five times its original price. His early work
>was in black and white but in more recent productions he uses shading and
>colour to achieve greater dimension. His sculptures use bone and copper, and
>won a juried exhibition for "Predominate Accession." He has won an Ontario
>Arts Council grant.  
>
>Philip Cote 
>An invited artist - is an Ojibway man who resides in Toronto. Phillip works
>with oils to create outstanding, legendary creations on canvas. He also
>works with soapstone and at present is traveling  to reserves in Ontario
>demonstrating the fine art of Soap-stoning. 
>
>Sean Couchie 
>An invited artist - is Ojibway of the Nipissing First Nation and has been
>living in London for 26 years. He studied art and architecture in high
>school and advertising art at Fanshawe College. 
>He won two prizes from the Peace Hills Trust Native Art Contest for "If I
>Had Wings" and "Vision Seeker". Oils, airbrush, pen and ink, scratch-board
>and wood-burning are used for creations for Ontario Native organizations,
>calendars, posters, books and magazines, always showing Natives in a
>positive perspective.  
>
>Tim Dillon 
>A Metis/Anishinabek from the Bruce Peninsula now living in London. He is a
>local entertainer writing and singing Rock and Country music with his
>guitar. He has performed with Jade Idols 
>and other groups at various clubs. A graduate in computer programming at
>Fanshaawe College he founded London Cyber Studio providing recording and
>engineering services for London Musicians. He is currently producing his own
>solo CD. 
>
>
>Terry Dokis 
>An Ojibway originally from the Dokis First Nation. Terry resides in North
>Bay and teaches in the social work field at Canadore College. Terry is a
>Medicine Wheel facilitator and explains the 
>application of the Medicine Wheel to health and intervention. Terry has
>offered to fly in from North Bay and teach a drumming and sonics workshop,
>traditional meditation workshop or something more closely related to social
>work.  
>
>Bruce Elijah 
>An Oneida Faith keeper of the Wolf Clan. He is a very respected Elder. He
>sits with the Elders Council of the Chiefs of Ontario organization and the
>Assembly of First Nations. He is widely sought for his traditional wisdom
>workshops and teaches the Old Ways. He is very knowledgeable about the Great
>Law of Peace, the constitution of the Haudenosaunee People. He conducts
>sunrise ceremonies as well as Sweat Lodge Ceremonies in treatment centres
>and other residential care facilities for Native people.  
>
>Norma General 
>A clan mother from the Mohawk Nation who resides on the Grand River
>territory of the Six Nations Reserve. She has been raised in the Traditional
>manner of her ancestors, being the daughter of Onondaga Chief Oliver Jacobs,
>in the Onondaga Long house. She has worked 
>extensively as a healing and wellness co-ordinator for Friendship Centres.
>She conducts workshops for all ages on Tradition l teachings. She also
>employs play therapy in her workshops.  
>
>Vern Harper 
>Resident Elder of the Toronto Community. Having walked the talk for the last
>three decades, Vern has helped many Native People find their way back onto
>the Red Road. Vern has a Sweat Lodge outside the city of Guelph where he
>holds Sweat Lodge Ceremonies on a weekly and as need basis. Vern is Cree,
>originally from Saskatchewan.  
>
>Dr. Dawn M. Hill 
>Mohawk, Wolf Clan living at Six Nations of the Grand River. Her doctoral
>thesis Spirit of Resistance: The Lubicon Lake Nation, is being published by
>the U of T press. She is the Academic Director of the Indigenous Studies
>Program at McMaster University. Her research has been supported by SSHRC,
>Canada Council, Fullbright and E.A.G.L.E... She has organized many
>conferences always focusing on Native Elders guiding scholars in indigenous
>knowledge.
>
>Kanata Native Dance Theater 
>A group of professional artists from the Six Nations of the Grand. The
>Mohawk word means "community" and its acronym stands for Keeping American
>Native Arts and Traditions Alive. 
>The dancers have performed at national and international festivals including
>Harbourfront, the Unity Ride Concert and the McMichael Canadian Gallery.  
>
>Janice Longboat 
>Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan now living at Six Nations. She is a Traditional
>Teacher, counselor and herbalist. Her vision is to support healthy
>Aboriginal families and communities by Traditional 
>Aboriginal healing ways. She has taught at universities and colleges at
>Hamilton, Toronto and Brantford and grows and prepares traditional plant
>medicines 
>
>Larry McCleod-Shabogesic 
>An Elder and educator who resides in Nipissing with his wife Darlene and
>family. Larry constructs Traditional Birch Bark Canoes and is a keeper of
>the Medicines.  
>
>Nikki Manitowabi 
>A member of the Wikwemikong Unceded Nation on Manitoulin Island. She is of
>Pottawatomi/Odawa descent. Nikki derives many of the ideas in her paintings
>from observations and experiences with her children.  
>
>Shelley Niro 
>A Mohawk woman originally from Six Nations. She has been involved in the
>arts for a number of years and has earned a Masters Degree at the University
>of Western Ontario. Shelley works with oils. She is a  film maker who has
>received accolades for her award winning film "Honey Moccasin" 
>
>Ogitchitaw Kwe Og (which means Warrior Women) 
>A group of mostly Anishinawbe singing women. They are quite a peace loving
>group and are here to share their strength and wisdom The creator has gifted
>each of the women in the singing group with a voice to share and sing with.
>Their songs have been passed on from generation to generation in the oral
>tradition. They hope that the songs they sing will help others who are on
>their own healing journeys.  Mary Lou Smoke 
> From Batchawana Bay, Ontario. Born to Ojibway parents, she is a writer,
>singer, guitarist, traditional drummer and shaker player as well as an
>actress having been featured in the Vagina Monologues as performed as a fund
>raiser for the Sexual Assault Center on March 8th, 2003. Mary Lou and her
>husband Dan often work together conducting opening and closing ceremonies as
>well as Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremonies. They co-host a radio news magazine
>called Smoke Signals First Nations Radio and have been community
>commentators on the news for the "New PL" for the past three and a half
>years commentating on Native issues for CFPL television of London, owned by
>CITY TV.  
>
>Dan Smoke - Asayenes 
> From the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, Kildeer Clan. He grew up
>on the Grand River territory and now lives in London. He is a lifetime
>member of the Onondaga Long house traditional way of life and part of the
>Native Circle at the Museum London.  Dan is a conductor and spiritual
>teacher at Sunrise Ceremonies marking special occasions. Dan and his wife,
>Mary Lou were honoured by London's  Mayor for their work in Humanitarianism
>in the year 2000.  
>
>Drew Hayden Taylor 
>An award winning playwright, journalist and screenwriter from the Curve Lake
>First Nations (Ojibway). In his vast career, he has written eleven books,
>had over fifty productions of his plays seen around the world, directed,
>written or worked on at least eighteen documentaries about Native culture,
>written for five television series, and is the author of a humourous column
>appearing in several Native News publications.
>         
>
>
>HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION
>
>The Gathering of the Good Minds Committee was formed in the year 2000,
>initially  motivated by a local Native Rights support group called Wiich Ke
>Yig.  Wiich Ke Yig is an Ojibway word which translates into "Friends Who
>Walk With Us".  Wiich Ke Yig is a group of Native and non-Native volunteers
>working together for increased understanding and justice.  Encouraging
>others to join in the work of healing our people, our spirit, and our Earth,
>until peace, justice and respect are extended to all First Nations. With the
>desire to continue to organize a major cultural event in London Wiich Ke Yig
>formed the planning committee involving more Native and non-Native members.
>Individuals from many sectors of the community have come together to plan,
>organize and participate in a Festival to educate the Native and non-Native
>public about traditional arts, culture and wisdom of the Aboriginal peoples.
>In 2001, the committee was successful in the implementation of the first
>Festival. The Gathering of the Good Minds Festival is made possible as the
>result of many dedicated volunteers and several organizations providing
>support services and resources including Wiich Ke Yig, Museum London, Museum
>of Archeology, Nokee Kwe, N'Amerind Friendship Centre, At^loshsa Family
>Healing Centre and the Children's Museum
>
>This event and the many groups and people involved in the non-Native
>community, want to promote a better understanding and co-operation with
>Native people.  We believe that increased knowledge will bring peace and
>just relationships between Native and non-Natives.
>
>Through the activities of Wiich Ke Yig, small steps to education non-Native
>Canadians about traditional Native spirituality and culture, that is, the
>values and teachings that nurtured a healthy Earth and mankind's proper
>place with the Circle of Life.  An important way to attain this goal is
>through the celebration of the arts and by demonstrating the vital role art
>has always played in all facets of Native life.
>
>
>SOME PAST ACTIVITIES INITIATED AND ORGANIZED BY WIICH  KE YIG:
>
>Beginning in 1990 - monthly meetings has been held to consider organization
>policy, plan special events, and to provide program activities and to
>promote our goals. Since 1991, approximately four events per year have been
>organized by members to Wiich Ke Yig for the London area.  A sample of these
>include:
>•       a conversation on healing with Elder Art Solomon
>•       participation in the Camp Ipperwash demonstration to serve the military
>with an eviction notice, followed by ongoing lobbying on behalf of the Stony
>Point people.
>•       support of David Suzuki's book launch at the University of Western Ontario
>- the Wisdom of the Elders.
>•       a protest at the London International Air Show in support of the Innu's
>problems with low flying planes.
>•       the successful appeal to Correction Services Canada regarding inmate Randy
>Charboneau.
>•       the organization of a Film Festival on four Saturdays culminating in a
>panel discussion on the "Gene Hunters".
>•       A dinner/dance and fund raising benefit concert with Murray Porter
>•       Native Prisoner's Justice Day: organized a seminar for prisoners, their
>relatives and other volunteers.  As a result a committee has been formed to
>offer continuing assistance and visitations to prisoners.
>•       Prayer circles for Dudley George on March 17th (1996-2002)
>•       Hosting of the premiere of the movie "Smoke Signals"
>•       A week-end workshop on "Aboriginal Awareness" facilitated by the
>Aboriginal Rights Coalition but organized by Wiich Ke Yig
>•       Joint venture with London's N'Amerind Friendship Centre in organizing a
>large Native Art Show entitled "Listen to the Drums".
>
>IN ADDITION:
>
>Since 1992 Wiich Ke Yig has supported and participated in National
>Aboriginal Solidarity Day, including a Sunrise Ceremony every June 21st,
>which is now attended by an almost equal number of Native and non- Native
>Londoners.
>
>Two special commemorative trees have been planted:
>
>•       In 1991, a White Pine Tree Planting Ceremony was held in the London Peace
>Garden in remembrance of those involved in Oka.  Each year on July 11th,
>people gather at the Tree of Peace to lay down tobacco, pray, sing and awe
>at the size of the tree.
>
>On September 6, 1996 a Tree of Peace was planted in the federal building
>courtyard, and included a permanent plaque in memory of Dudley George,
>followed by the bi-annual remembrance ceremonies from 1996 to present.
>
>•       Beginning in 1996, a sub-committee of Wiich Ke Yig has supported Native
>Justice and Spirituality with a monthly ceremony and information meetings at
>the Unitarian Fellowship.
>
>Over the past few years members of Wiich Ke Yig have placed a heavy emphasis
>on justice issues and were very successful in the first presentation of The
>Gathering of the Good Minds - so now, we want to continue working together
>to do it again.                                 
>
>
>
>
>
>All My Relations
>
>Dan Smoke-Asayenes & Mary Lou Smoke-Asayenes Kwe
>Smoke Signals First Nations Radio, CHRW, 94.7 FM
>Outstanding Multicultural Program for 2003      
>#1 Campus & Community Radio Station in Canada
>Sundays 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., www.chrwradio.com
>519 659-4682  fax: 5l9 453-3676
>www.thegatheringofgoodminds.netfirms.com
>