City tuning up for aboriginal festival

The sophomore showing of the Aboriginal Music and Arts Festival is official, and its lineup is already jammed with some of Canada's finest aboriginal artists.

The festival will run from Oct. 9-13, kicking off with a gala banquet at the Ches Leach Lounge in the Art Hauser Centre.

"Prince Albert is a little hidden jewel," said Aboriginal Music and Arts Festival Committee chairwoman Sheryl Kimbley. "We need to see start showing people all the things that are happening here."

The festival's theme is "WaniskÂ," which translates to "awaken" in English."

Hosting the event will be Gordon Tootoosis, a well-known role model in the aboriginal community. Born on the Poundmaker Indian Reserve in Saskatchewan, he gained fame from acting roles in "Legends of the Fall," "Lone Star" and "North of 60," just to name a few.

Kimbley hopes that with Tootoosis and Juno-nominated performers like C-Weed and Digging Roots, and Juno winner Derek Miller, the event can bring a message of hope to aboriginal youth.

"I hope that we have opened a few doors to our youth," said Kimbley. "I hope they look at the festival and say 'OK, This is what's out there and this is what we can do.'"

The festival will also have a touch of local talent. Prince Albert's own Violet Naytowhow will be performing her unique style of cultural folk-roots fusion.

For her, the festival is important especially for female aboriginal musicians to gain exposure.

"Emerging artists, especially female aboriginal artists have a really hard market," said Naytowhow. "But more recently we have more venues, more places to play."

Aside from live music, there will also be the Northern Lights Casino Pow Wow.

Elder Julie Pitzel believes the festival is much more than just a few days of entertainment. Rather, it's a voice of expression for the large aboriginal community in Prince Albert.

"This is a wonderful place to do it," said Pitzel. "We have a lot of aboriginal people in our community, and we need to be able to focus on the positive."

For a complete schedule with event locations, check www.amaf2008.com for more information.

jpage@paherald.sk.ca