Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin to receive prestigious award
The 63rd Edward MacDowell Medal will be awarded to Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin, the filmmaker whose work has spanned 52 years, at a July 23 reception.
Arts & Culture
ᐊᔨᐦᑐᐧᐃᓐ
First Cree Knowledge Festival a ‘resounding success’
The first-ever Cree Knowledge Festival, an online event broadcast live from Chisasibi March 25-26, is being called “a resounding success” by its organizers at the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (CNACA), Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association (COTA) and Cree Trappers’ Association (CTA).
Archaeologist Jim Chism reflects on his decades recording the material history of the Cree
Jim Chism is busy digging through boxes and opening files filled with documents and photographs when I meet him at the Waskaganish Cultural Institute. Jim has been digging around Cree territory since the early 1970s, just after the James Bay Project was announced. His is a familiar face for people from Chisasibi, Eastmain and Waskaganish.
Visiting the past
As artist and writer Maira Kalman once said, “A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth and meaning in our lives. Go to museums as often as you can.”
Cree Knowledge Festival spotlights Cree culture virtually
A new two-day digital happening will be shining a spotlight on the rich and dynamic Cree culture. The Cree Knowledge Festival on March 25-26 will feature six engaging panels, dozens of guests, music performances and storytelling.
Lido Pimienta weaves vibrant threads through her complicated past
Montreal’s Belgo Building is always a big draw during Nuit Blanche festivities each February, when the city’s cultural centres open their doors all night for mostly free attractions. The Belgo’s art galleries were buzzing about Lido Pimienta’s hourly performances at her exhibition of textiles, drawings and soft sculptures.
The cultural force of bingo is stronger than ever
Bingo has been a Cree tradition since the 1950s, completing its conquest of Eeyou Istchee only 30-odd years after its invention in the US, where churches and charity groups would play for low stakes.
Cree designer Scott Wabano’s ‘bad ass’ collection takes New York Fashion Week by storm
Cree fashion designer Scott Wabano took his collection to one of the world’s most prestigious runways at this year’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) February 10. The semi-annual series in Manhattan is one of the world’s four major fashion events along with Paris, London and Milan.
Epic snowmobile expedition focuses on reconciliation, reclaiming culture
For the second time in three years, 56 First Nations riders and allies traversed a daunting, 4,200km snowmobile route across 16 communities and camps in northern Quebec over 18 days. The First Nations Expedition began February 16 in Manawan, and finished March 4 in Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, passing through the Cree communities of Waskaganish and Chisasibi along the way.
Cree music producers make waves on the world scene
Cree musicians took centre stage in Montreal February 12 when Steve Einish opened for G-Unit rap star Tony Yayo at the Belmont nightclub in a show co-promoted by his event-planning company Nomad Entertainment.