The Sun Dance: Connecting with the Children (Media and the Great Debate)

A controversy has erupted in Manitoba. The first time since the 1960s a Sundance ceremony has been recorded. There have been many negative and positive comments about this. APTN the Canadian National Aboriginal TV Network did a three part mini series in June 2013. What are some of the reasons against or for sharing the Sundance ceremony?

At the end of the Sundance with my boys

In the 19th century up until the mid 20th century many of the traditional ceremonies were recorded both in word, but visually with photos and later in video. Many of those doing this recording were anthropologists, Indianophiles and in the 1950s and 60s Indigenous peoples themselves. There was a tendency after the 1900s to start hiding the ceremonies because religious officials and government agents would take children during the ceremonies and they had been declared illegal both in Canada and the United States. 

To see the video

Perceptions of Aboriginal Students (Radio documentary)

Summary: Albee, Kamila, and Kurt look the perceptions of aboriginal students through research, interviews, and our own opinions.  Included is an interview with Verna Kirkness, Manfred Hildebrandt, and Questions and Answers with Albee and Kurt.  This 25 minutes radio show incorporates some trendy Aboriginal electric music fused with intriguing theory’s behind the perceptions of Aboriginal students.

Producers Involved: Albee Eisbrenner, Kamila Cecelon, Kurt Hildebrandt

Songs Used:

A Tribe Called Red – Electric pow wow drum

A Tribe Called Red – Look at this

A Tribe Called Red – Electric Instrumental 

To Learn More (Radio Documentary)

https://archive.org/details/RadioDocGroup4Mixdown
https://archive.org/download/RadioDocGroup4Mixdown/radio%20doc%20group%204%20mixdown.mp3

Metis Federation of Canada (New National Organization)

A new national organization has been formed on Nov 16, 2013. The Metis Federation of Canada interim president Robert Pilon says "The Métis Federation of Canada was formed to recognize, represent and  support Métis citizens across Canada, uniting us from coast to coast to coast.  As a grassroots organization, with representatives from all regions of this country, we are people from varying walks of life who are passionate about our history, our culture and our rights..." 

YouTube – Anglais (Robert Pilon – President): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tx8IkS45Fg

YouTube – Français (David Bouchard – Membre fondateur): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIWPKFVVz1U

YouTube – Anglais (Bob Stevenson – Membre fondateur): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypzGJOXI6kI

Notre project – teaser:

French: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uZPYcdKdTU

Anglais: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQA2zU-KOfA

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Metisfederationofcanada) and Twitter (@metisfederation). 

The founding members are Robert Pilon, David Bouchard, Karole Dumont-Beckett, Theresa Lizotte, Dan Goodon, Hélène I Savard, Bob Stevenson, Alfred Chiasson, Daryle Desjarlais, Daniel Gilbeau, Ray Racicot, Bill Gabbani, Jim Laroche, and Deborah Bastien.

Good luck to this group of people and the cause they hold dear. It will be difficult challenging the current power structures. 

 

The Role of Gender in First Nations Education

Summary: In this radio documentary, the topic of discussion is gender roles and gender identity in First Nations Education: past, present, and future. After examining the traditional context of gender role education, challenges and barriers to Aboriginal education are discussed more thoroughly. There is a brief exploration of these challenges through the selected music tracks and poetry. We thank the participants for their time and patience in preparing this radio documentary.

Interviews with: Dr. Kim Anderson, Dr. Robert Falcon Ouellette, and Dr. Niigaan Sinclair

Production Team: Kevin Morall, Derek Barnett, Jason Neufeld, Sean Giesbrecht

Music by: Tribe Called Red featuring Northern Voice "Sisters"; Buffy Sainte-Marie "Eagle Man / Changing Woman"; A Tribe Called Red "The Road"

Poetry by: Comaka "The Heart Beat" & Stephen John Marshall "The Traditional Knowledge"

To Learn More (Documentary)
https://archive.org/details/3Group8Mixdown