Aboriginal culture, music and traditions celebrated, shared and honoured at Toronto festival
Festival brings the past alive - 6,700 kids take in aboriginal culture
By SHEENA FINDLAY, SUN MEDIA - 29th November 2008
More than 6,700 children from schools across the GTA learned about aboriginal culture under the world's biggest dream catcher at the Rogers Centre yesterday.
It was education day at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival, the largest indoor aboriginal festival in North America.
"It's all about an experience that you'll never get inside a classroom from pictures in a book," said Grade 6 teacher Zelia Tavares from McMurrich Elementary School on Winona Dr. in the St. Clair Ave.-Dufferin St. area.
"When they're here, they feel like this is relevant and this is a part of who they are as a Canadian," she said.
Grade 6 student Michaela Mason said the event was an exciting learning experience.
"Being here is so much cooler because you actually get to see the things in person, instead of just staring at a textbook, which is kind of boring in my opinion," she said.
The festival, which continues today from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., features more than 1,000 dancers and singers, 18 drum groups, and more than 200 shopping boutiques and craft exhibitions.
"It's a good time for everyone to come together and share with Toronto and the surrounding areas and the rest of country how beautiful our arts intelligence is," said Amos Key Jr., 55, festival co-chairman.
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From the Saskatoon Star Phoenix
Sainte-Marie honoured at aboriginal music awards
Canwest News Service - November 29, 2008
It was a clean sweep for singer Crystal Shawanda at Friday night's Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in Toronto.
The country singer took home all five awards she was nominated for including Best Female Artist, Best Single, Best Video, Best Country Album and Album of the Year.
Proving twice is just as nice, the 10th annual awards show gave double honours to Eagle & Hawk (Best Rock Album, Best Group or Duo), Mitch Daigneault (Best Male Artist, Best Songwriter), Tanya Tagaq (Best Female Traditional, Best Album Design), and Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk (Best Fiddle, Best Instrumental Album).
Legendary musician and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie was honoured with the award for Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music.
Here are is a complete list of this year's CAMA Winners:
Best Female Artist - Crystal Shawanda -- Dawn of a New Day
Best Male Artist - Mitch Daigneault -- Driving All Night
Best Group or Duo - Eagle & Hawk -- Sirensong
Best Rock Album - Eagle & Hawk -- Sirensong
Best Song Single - Crystal Shawanda -- Dawn of a New Day -- You Can Let Go
Best Female Traditional - Tanya Tagaq -- Auk-Blood
Best Producer/Engineer - Fara Palmer & Peter Kilgour
Best Fiddle Album - Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk -- Omeigwessi Reel Metis: A Tribute To Walter Fleet
Best Folk Album - Christa Couture -- The Wedding Singer and The Undertaker
Best Instrumental Album - Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk -- Omeigwessi Reel Metis: A Tribute To Walter Fleet
Best International Album - Stevie Salas -- Be What It Is
Best Aboriginal Music Radio Program - Ray St. Germain -- The Metis Hour
Best Album Design - Tanya Tagaq -- Auk-Blood
Best Songwriter - Mitch Daigneault -- Driving All Night -- Letters
Best Television Program or Special - Winston Wuttunee -- Kitohcikew "one who makes music"
Best Traditional Flute - Dallas Arcand -- Picking Sweetgrass
Best Blues Album - Texas Meltdown -- Feel The Heat
Best Pow Wow Album Contemporary - Northern Cree -- Red Rock
Best Music Video - Crystal Shawanda -- Dawn of a New Day -- You Can Let Go
Best Rap or Hip Hop Album - 7th Generation -- Self Titled
Best Country Album - Crystal Shawanda -- Dawn of a New Day
Best Pow Wow Album Traditional - Whitefish Bay Singers -- Oshke Ye II
Best Hand Drum Album - Northern Cree & Friends -- Dancin' Til Sunrise
Best Album of the Year - Crystal Shawanda -- Dawn of a New Day
Best Original Score in Aboriginal/Indigenous Theatre, Dance or Film/Video Production - Derek Miller -- Good Looking
Best Rap or Hip Hop Music Video - Josh Hill -- Chief -- Big Boi Boppin
Keeper of Traditions in Aboriginal Music Award - Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson
Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music Award - Buffy Sainte-Marie
Music Industry Award - Bruce Ruddell