For
Immediate Release
July 22, 2002
Ancient Anishnaabe story
inspires Aboriginal Dance Performance
An international company of
Aboriginal artists representing over 14 Indigenous nations from
Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States, including
Hawaii and Alaska, meld their talents in Miinigooweziwin…the
Gift, inspired by an ancient Anishnaabe story from the
Lake of the Woods. Elders, renewing Anishnaabe culture through the
oral tradition of storytelling, have communicated this story from
one generation to the next.
This year’s world premiere of Miinigooweziwin…the Gift,
evolved through a collaborative process, first as a studio
presentation of Pawaachige:… The One Who Dreams in 2000,
and then as a workshop presentation under its new title Miinigooweziwin…the
Gift during the summer of 2001. Don Kavanaugh (Anishnaabe)
brought the story to the program after consulting with a
storyteller, an elder from his community. The storyteller reminded
him of the importance of retaining stories of origin through
retelling them -- in this case, weaving it through a performance
of dance, music, song and theatre.
The Aboriginal Dance Performance program is under the direction
of international choreographer Georgina Martinez (Mexican/Zapotec)
and cultural director Edna Manitowabi, an Anishnaabe elder, singer
and theatre artist. The program creates a gathering place where
Aboriginal artists can remember and restore ancient forms and
create new images
to share their stories, both
ancient and contemporary, bringing oral tradition into a
contemporary perspective. "Through the art of dance, I try to
find a way to contribute to the wellbeing of all people; the
aesthetics and vision of my ancestors provide me with tools to
achieve this goal. One of the basic principles of Aboriginal
dance: it is an integral part of a whole vision of life,"
says Martinez.
This summer’s production includes a stunning set and costume
design by Linda Leon, lighting designed by Beth Kates, and
original music by Russell Wallace (Stla’limx), composer for the
Aboriginal Dance program since 1996. The full-scale production
gives audiences a rare opportunity to experience the power of
authentic Aboriginal Dance grounded in Indigenous knowledge,
history, traditions, and ancestral memories, presented in a
contemporary context.
The Aboriginal Arts
program, in collaboration with the Theatre
Arts department at The Banff Centre, is proud to present this
new work at this year’s Banff Arts
Festival.
August 2nd and 3rd at 8 p.m., and August
4th at 2 p.m. in the Margaret Greenham Theatre
Click here for Fact
Sheet on
Miniigooweziwin…the Gift.
Click here for more background
information on
Miniigooweziwin…the Gift.
Miniigooweziwin…the Gift is made possible through the
generous assistance of The Canada Council for the Arts, The
Department of Canadian Heritage through the National Arts Training
Contribution Program, Weyerhaeuser, FONCA [Fondo Nacional para la
Cultura y las Artes] and The Banff Centre.
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