SHEGUIANDAH FIRST NATION—’Express yourself!’ might have been the theme for the four days of workshops offered to youth at the community hall in Sheguiandah First Nation. There was opportunity to draw, paint, create masks (for use in theatre), write and/or perform in those four days available to them.
“Technically, this is an independent program—we’re independent workers through an art grant,” said Shelba Deer, cultural director of the program. “In the past, we’ve been able to get a National Arts grant for 10 days of workshops and performance, but this year we were only able to get a provincial grant, and that gave us four days to do what we would normally do in 10.”
With the help of Shelba Deer and Lisa Hamalainen, artistic director, and the support of the Ontario Arts Council, 4elements Living Arts, Right to Play, the Sheguiandah Health Centre and MGE, the workshops culminated in a performance of stories created by the children on Wednesday, July 24.
Susan Snelling, chair of the board at 4elements, came to watch the performance. “We sponsored the art workshop by Mark Seabrook,” Ms. Snelling said, “but we’re just generally happy to support Sheguiandah Summer Stories. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of it today.”
An ongoing sacred fire was burning, the fire keeper, Lyman Aguonie, making sure it burned throughout the program. ‘It’s a direct link to the spirit world, to make sure everything goes smoothly,” Ms. Deer explained.
The program began with an introduction by Ms. Deer. “The theme this year is all about visions, dreams and storytelling,” she said, crediting Ms. Hamalainen, the artistic director of the program, for coming up with the idea of introducing the performing arts to the youth, making it land based and asking Ms. Deer for help with the cultural aspect. “Helping our youth become empowered and become their true selves in who they are,” Ms. Deer said. “The work we have done for the children, has taken on a life of its own, because they are the creators, they are the ones that wrote these stories and did the artwork we have on display, and they’ve been doing that for the last four years,” she added.
Jake Agoneh opened the program with a prayer, but more than that, it was, for him, an opportunity to teach the youth as much as to pray with them. He told them of his early years, of becoming a healer; he told them they are half land and half spirit. Everything has spirit, he said. “There’s lots to learn about life and it never stops,” Mr. Agoneh told them. He taught them how to pray, to always be thankful. His prayer was offered in his own language as everyone bowed their heads.
Ann Cummings drummed the opening to the show and Ashton Towegishig welcomed the audience as MC. “All our stories were written and created by the youth of this summer program. We just finished our stories yesterday, so there will be some improv,” the MC explained.
Each story was brief, some amusing some with an important message and all were enhanced by the drumming, the costumes and the makeup. “It’s ok to not be alike,” the Spirit instructed three amigos in one of the short skits. “There have to be differences in our life or there won’t be balance.” Creative storytelling with each of the presentations, the words of youth making an impact.
A dance performance by dance artist Curtis Kagige (Bboy Redsky) was a special feature of the program, and he too offered a bit of teaching. “When you do this dance, it’s like your inner child coming out to play. That’s why we call ourselves bboys, even though I’m 42,” he said. Then he went through his dance again, explaining the cultural meaning of each step. Mr. Kagige works with several different health services around the province.
Ms. Deer concluded the program with thanks to various people and organizations, including Jaden Francis for all her catering throughout the program, making breakfast, snacks and lunch for all four days. She also thanked the summer students/event assistants: Jaymes Simon, Tyler Groulx and Xavier Aguonie-Fox. As all good things do, this event ended with a feast, a potluck meal, for everyone to enjoy.
by Margery Frisch
