Something Else Again…
I say it every year…this was the best year but I mean it, this was the best year! Saturday morning at 6:15am we packed up the car and left the winter wonderland to drive back in Ottawa for the New Sun conference.
If you’ve read my blog for at least a year then you know that for the last 9 years I’ve been attending the New Sun conference. Every year new speakers come, some I’ve heard of and some I haven’t but I am always, always profoundly moved. Like New Sun is the the air that fills my spirit and rejuvenates me for spring and starting another year.
This year I was excited to hear from all of the speakers, especially the first two. I was worried we might accidently sleep in, the weather or traffic would be bad and this would cause me to miss the first speakers – fortunately, none of these things happened and although I was sad to miss the morning prayer and welcome, I was very happy to make it in time for the speakers.
The first speaker, Christi Belcourt , I met last summer at the National Aboriginal day celebrations and participated in her community project to create a large piece of art. She did the design and then everyone could participate by using the supplies she provided to fill in the piece. It was really fun and I enjoyed painting 2 of the leaves. Christi spoke about her feelings on family, her family and that memories are past down through the blood. That we are “only one ceremony away from remembering” – losing our languages, spirituality and connection to the earth. Her art is incredible and I love to look at it! Her large 2009 floral mural “My Heart (Is Beautiful)” which you will see in many of these photos was on display and she encouraged all of us to touch it. I loved the animals and plants depicted it the mural, especially the hummingbirds, chickadee, spider web and turtles.
The second speaker was Manon Barbeau who is the producer and general manager of the Wapikoni Mobile , a converted RV home into a traveling video and music studio. I was really excited to hear her speak about this project, especially since my sisters are both in the world of film. It was interesting to hear from one of the guys from Kitigan Zibi who has had the opportunity to make a few films with Wapikoni Mobile and how it seems that this project has profoundly changed his life. The objective of the program is to break the isolation and connect young people. The project connects young people in Canada but also around the world! Abraham said that Wapikoni has helped him get a grant given to only 10 other people to develop and produce a feature film. He’s creating opportunities for himself and others in his community and wants to go to University to study film. Abraham’s story was inspiring and you could see by the short videos they brought to show that he is insightful, thoughtful with a bright future in front of him. You could see the way Manon looked and smiled at Abraham that she was proud of him and also when she spoke about the other youth and the program. Manon explained that the Wapikoni Mobile goes back to communities every year and will be trying to establish permanent studios in the communities. This program deals with so many issues, creating economic opportunites in communities, giving a voice to youth and an international stage to hear them and also dealing with difficult social issues (which is why the program travels with a social worker who is there to connect them to services but primarily to listen).
The incredible Gerald Vizenor went next, his soothing voice and description narratives filled the air. He read from his newest work and spoke about the differences between Native commercial and literary art authors. He spoke about “survivance” and the creation of toyed-with words. To hear such an accomplished author was incredible and to meet the person who coined the phrase “cultural schizophrenia” thrilling. I don’t want to say too much about what he read as I don’t believe that everything is published yet but it was a humorous and engaging story and I will definitely be looking to pick up a copy and some of his other works…I wonder if he does audiobooks?
At lunch we had an incredible performance by Tanya Tagaq who did one of her improvised performances which incorporates throat singing with a very avant garde/contemporary sound. She was captivating and her performance just drew you into her and the story she was weaving.
The lunch was delicious (as always) and I especially enjoyed the pickled beets and pearl onion salad and the venison celery root and shitake mushroom ragout – yum yum!
Marwin Begaye was after lunch – he is an expert printmaking and painting social issues and health advocate. His art provides an interesting discourse and social commentary about our modern culture and issues that effect many communities. The issue of diabetes and healthy eating was prevalent in many of the pieces he showed. His quick wit and storytelling abilities brought to life his pieces which were already jumping off the page at me. I was in awe of what he can create using the woodblock and other printmaking techniques. I am very interested in doing more research into “culture jamming” which he referenced a few times during his presentation. I think was of the most powerful slides was not of art, but instead read:
“Sa’ah naagháí bik’eh hózhóó″
(Living life in a good way)
Marwin said that he encourages all youth to create art to address social issues and give back. His message was honest and troubling at time but also hopeful that all is not lost but we need to be aware and to make others aware about the issues effecting us.
The day closed with an extremely emotional testimony by Tanya Tagaq. She started by introducing herself and saying that growing up she was “weird” and that she wasn’t like everyone else. Her story was interesting as music sort of “fell in her lap” and her message was profound about life, the feminine and belonging. Tanya wants to challenge why society accept lying or treating other people poorly – why don’t we hold ourselves up to a higher standard?, she questioned. Tanya said she feels that our job is to heal spiritually so our children don’t have the same sorrow and she heals through her music, “like house cleaning”. She said she would rather die than not be a proud women. Tanya spoke about self-esteem, women loving themselves, both emotionally and physically, for who they are and not bending to social norms. Each women should be empowered to embrace themselves exactly as she is and wishes to be. Tanya expressed that there is a need to protect the feminine from those that would harm it, men need to be protectors too and love their partners for who they are. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when a friend of Tanya got up and thanked her for being such a strong example and for being exactly who she is. It was a touching moment as the two of them embraced. Her presentation ended with an example of throat singing by her cousin, whom she called her twin as they are very close to each other, and was possibly the best throat singing I’ve ever heard.
Allan Ryan, the New Sun chair, and his wife Rae, once again out did themselves. Their dedication to the New Sun conference is obvious by the care and detail in every aspect of the day and every year finding new speakers to inspire those who attend. Thank you Allan and Rae, and all those involved in hosting this amazing conference I’m not sure that words can express how I feel about attending and how uplifted I am when it’s done.
Next year will be the 10th conference…so perhaps this year I will say, this was the best conference yet and I can’t wait to see what happens next time, I’m sure it will be something else again…
Editorial Note: Thank you so much to Christi Belcourt for permission to post these photos that have her incredible piece of art, My Heart (Is Beautiful) – it was so amazing to see in person.
Tags: New Sun, New Sun Conference, Something Else Again, summary
