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What’s Happening in Aboriginal Arts at The Banff Centre
Events in 2011
- Brian Jungen: Artist’s Talk and Unveiling Reception
In June 2011, the Walter Phillips Gallery presented the much-anticipated unveiling of the public commission, The ghosts on top of my head by acclaimed artist Brian Jungen (Swiss/Dane-zaa Nation) of Fort St. John, British Columbia. - National Aboriginal Day Storytelling with Richard Van Camp
In June 2011 for National Aboriginal Day, Aboriginal Arts presented award-winning writer Richard Van Camp (Dogrib Nation, NWT) at a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration of Indigenous storytelling. He wowed the audience with humour, imagination, and fun. Prior to the event, Aboriginal Arts hosted a mask-making workshop for families. - Diverse As This Land Concert Series
One of New Zealand’s musical leading lights, Moana Maniapoto and her band, Moana & The Tribe, brought their electrifying blend of traditional Maori and contemporary musical influences, and mesmerizing vocal harmonies to The Banff Centre on June 20 and July 1. Also featured were multi-award winning musicians, Tracy Bone and J.C. Campbell, Ojibwe and Cree from Manitoba. - Migration
This highly anticipated new dance collaboration featured two of the world’s most successful Indigenous companies, Red Sky (Canada) and Black Grace (New Zealand). Red Sky and Black Grace joined forces to explore the key catalysts for migration, generational memory, of freedom without borders, tribal bonds, and the power of tradition, in a performance July 15, 16, and 17. - Indigenous Keynote Speaker: Javier Dzul (Mayan, Mexico)
On August 12, New York City-based choreographer Javier Dzul (Mayan, Mexico) spoke about and showed DVD excerpts of his visually stunning work that fuses dance with aerial arts as a means to communicate
Indigenous, pre-Hispanic ritual and mythology with contemporary dance. - Every Step You Take with Jock Soto
On August 17, Aboriginal Arts hosts a launch of an exciting new memoir by acclaimed dancer Jock Soto, Every Step You Take: A Memoir. Of Navajo heritage, Jock Soto was just 16 when George Balanchine selected him to join the New York City Ballet company where he became an unexpected force. - Memory & Desire Performances
On August 26 and 28, Indigenous dancers from Canada and overseas will premiere a new short work by New York City-based choreographer Javier Dzul (Mayan), whose work explores such themes as mythology, ritual, revolution, humanity, and desire. Audiences will also see a performance by Quebec-based choreographer Lara Kramer, whose work, Fragments, gives voice to her journey to understand her mother’s experience in the residential school system. - Readings & Spoken Word from Aboriginal Writers
On Sept. 16 and 23, Aboriginal Arts presents award-winning writers, poets, and spoken word artists including: Bruce Pascoe (Australia), Greg Scofield (Métis, BC), Lee Maracle (Salish/Cree, ON), and Kateri Akiwenzie-
Damm (Annishnabe, ON).
Programs in 2011-2012
MUSIC
Diverse As This Land Vocal Intensive Workshop
The nature of land and the diversity within Indigenous cultures is the inspiration behind Diverse as This Land, a project that explores how land shapes vocal and cultural expression and reveals the spectrum of Indigenous music. At the heart of the project is a dynamic week-long voice-intensive residency for Aboriginal singers from across Canada, which took place at The Banff Centre June 27-July 3.
THEATRE
Viewpoints Training Workshop
Led by instructor Michael Greyeyes (Plains Cree) July 16-17, Theatre Arts at The Banff Centre offered this workshop which introduced participants to the Viewpoints theatre training technique, addressing essential performance concepts such as active listening, spontaneity, trust, and spatial relationships.
DANCE
Indigenous Dance Residency
This residency provides a transformative training experience with Indigenous dancers and choreographers from various nations, backgrounds, communities, and countries. August 8-29, professional dancers worked with choreographers and instructors at the top of their fields, and performed a new short work during the Banff Summer Arts Festival. Faculty included: Javier Dzul (Mayan), Jock Soto (Navajo), and Lara Kramer (Ojibwe/Cree).
WRITING
Aboriginal Emerging Writers Residency
This program is a unique opportunity for emerging Aboriginal writers to develop their writing and storytelling voices through one-on-one editorial assistance amidst a community of Aboriginal artists. Writers participate in a two-week residency Sept. 12-24, and continue online Oct. 3-Dec. 9 for 10 weeks, working to develop their manuscript with an editor.
VISUAL ARTS
Trading Post with Candice Hopkins
Led by renowned interdisciplinary artist Candice Hopkins (Tlingit) January 4-February 12, 2012, this visual arts residency will be a site for ideas to converge and to explore the potential of trade. Trading Post will not address a single theme but instead bring together a diverse group of Aboriginal and Indigenous cultural workers within a collaborative environment in order to consider the potentiality and limits of exchange.
FILM
Hi-Rez Storytelling for Screen
This program in March 2012 is designed to support mid-level professional Aboriginal filmmakers, writers, and/or writer/producers. Participants develop their project and explore writing for screen, case studies, and digital technologies that provide a continuum for contemporary Indigenous storytelling forms.
SELF-DIRECTED RESIDENCIES
The Banff Centre offers Self-directed residencies for Aboriginal artists, enabling the time and space for focused work and providing the freedom to conceptualize, create, research, or complete any project. Writers, composers, singer-songwriters, dancers, choreographers, filmmakers, visual artists, new media artists, screenwriters, playwrights, curators, and others are invited to apply.
ABORIGINAL ARTS ON ITunesU
Check out itunes.banffcentre.ca for songs by artists Pura Fé, George Leach, Leela Gilday, Lucie Idlout, Afltai Khangai, Kendra Tagoona, and Becky Kilabuk, as well as interviews with Lee Maracle, Marilyn Dumont and Daniel David.
