Ode’min Giizis 2011

About the Ode’min Giizis Festival
The Ode’min Giizis Festival is presented by O’Kaadenigan Wiingashk (OKW) and Public Energy in Peterborough, Ontario. From June 20-24 2012, Indigenous artists, including musicians, performers, visual artists, writers, storytellers, artisans, and dancers will gather to expand our imagination and dreams while pushing the boundaries of their art forms.
The Festival and Its Name

Ode’min Giizis (pronounced o’DAY-min GHEE-zus) is the sixth moon of the Anishinaabe calendar. It marks the beginning of summer, the longest day of the year, and the harvest of the strawberry in June. The root word of ode’min is “ode”. “Ode” signifies the heart in Anishinaabemowin (the Anishinaabe language). As the strawberry resembles the shape and colour of the human heart, it also represents the sweetest and kindest of emotions that bring people together to feast and exchange ideas.

The Ode’min Giizis Festival celebrates this auspicious time of year and traditional Anishinaabe territory with a five day multi-disciplinary arts festival in Peterborough, Ontario featuring local and visiting artists from the four directions. OKW and Public Energy invite you to come out to experience a diversity of Indigenous artistic expression and events – including the community procession, the traditional gathering, gallery exhibitions, performance art, talks, dance, storytelling, theatre, and music concerts.
Festival Philosophy

Each of the presenting artists is unified by a strong self-determined aesthetic that honours traditional lands, culture, and knowledge while also pushing boundaries in their own respective art forms. Artists will share their work and their dynamic processes in an effort to stimulate greater dialogue and cultural understanding through the arts. Events will take place at various downtown venues and will be co-presented by local arts organizations in a spirit of creativity, unity, and the sweetness of the strawberry.
Nogojiwanong a.k.a. Peterborough, Ontario

Peterborough sits on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg and is originally named and known as Nogojiwanong (Place of the End of Rapids). For thousands of years, this region was known as a gathering spot where different tribes, families, and leaders would converge to exchange ideas and knowledge. Sites such as The Petroglyphs, Serpent Mounds Park, and Aboriginal oral traditions confirm this regional history.

2011 Festival Schedule

Wednesday June 15th

Reception & Exhibit 2-4 PM
New Paintings: A Tribal Death by Thomas Olszewski
Black Honey, 221 Hunter St. W.

Festival Opening Celebration 6PM
in partnership with the Art Gallery of Peterborough, 250 Crescent Street

Exhibition: Honouring our Anishinaabe Garden
Catalogue Launch: ayaandagon: outdoor art installations in an anishinaabe garden, curated by William Kingfisher.
Book Launch: Dancing on our Turtles Back: Stories of Nishnaabeg Re-creation, Resurgence and a New Emergence by activist, educator and editor Leanne Simpson.
Ongoing Exhibition: Robert Houle:Paris/Ojibwa (May 14 to Sept 4, 2011)

Opening Exhibition 8PM
in partnership with The Art Gallery of Peterborough
Bimaadiziwin and the Inner Child: New Art Works by Paul Shilling

Live Music
An evening of classical guitar with Gabriel Ayala
Kubo Lounge, 413 George Street N

Thursday June 16th

Contemporary Dance at the Lakers Game 7:45PM

The Creator’s Game: A ten minute presentation of a new contemporary dance creation by internationally renown choreographer Santee Smith of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre.
This presentation will take place before a lacrosse match between the Peterborough Lakers and Brooklin Redmen.
Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St W
Free with admission to the Lakers game
Tix (16.50. $11. $3.50) Available at 705 743 3561 or online www.memorialcentre.ca

Spoken Word & Electric Pow Wow 10PM

A spoken word performance by Vancouver’s two time word slam champion, Zaccheus Jackson. Dance to the beats of Bear Witness, DJ NDN, DJ Frame and DJ Shub (two-time Canadian DMC Champ), known to the world as A Tribe Called Red
Kubo Lounge, 413 George Street N
Fee: By Donation

Friday June 17th

Experiential Education 9:30AM-2PM
Bimaadiziwin (the Art of Living in a Good Way): Educators and their students have been invited to celebrate the cultural richness and contributions of First Nations peoples. Bimaadiziwin (the Art of Living in a Good Way) is our name for this experience as the youth will be supported in mental, physical, emotional and spiritual learning opportunities through active participation and interaction with leading lights in Indigenous education and artistry.
Del Crary Park, 100 George Street N

Performance Art 6PM
Robin Brass: ‘mi ima ehkosit’ (there it hangs…): A video/audio/performance in nahkewewin (plains anishinaabemowin), expressing the interconnectivity of story, language, love and transcendence. As stated in the performance, “There is no end / We do not stop”.
212 Hunter Street W, behind the Benevolent Stranger
Free

Comedy 8PM
Theatre Sports: Herbie Barnes + Sid Bobb + Micheala Washburn + Craig Lauzon equal Tonto’s Nephews, an all Native improve troupe. Be prepared to bust a gut as Tonto’s Nephews belly up against top notch, made to order, Twoshees And ahee with Millbrook’s own Paul O’Sullivan, with Jan Caruana and Lisa Merchant. The evening will be hosted by Neal McLeod.
Market Hall Theatre, 140 Charlotte Street
Tix: $10 available at Market Hall
or call 705 749-1148

Music: The Red Revue 10PM
In partnership with The Association of the Native Development of the Performing and Visual Arts monthly music series.

Featuring Samantha Crain and a Peterborough Showcase: Missy Knott, Sean Conway, Rob Foreman, Sarah DeCarlo, Charlie Chickenhawk and the Anishnaabe Babes.
“Ms. Crain — with turquoise tights screaming out from between a beige print dress and red cowboy boots — was captivating. Her pleading, slightly distant intonation recalled early-1990s Britpop, an accent atop a voice that traverses the space between Gillian Welch and Regina Spektor.”
– New York Times
www.samanthacrain.com

Historic Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W
Tix: $10 at the door only

Saturday June 18th

Sunrise Ceremony 5AM
Everyone is welcome to this early morning gathering to celebrate the first days of summer, to honour the ode’min (heartberry/strawberry) and our water. It is customary for women to wear longish skirts.
Del Crary Park, By the Tipi

Community Procession 10AM
Participants meet in front of Peterborough City Hall and at 11am will travel along George Street (car-free) to the grand entry of our Traditional Gathering at Del Crary Park. All are welcome to participate.
Confederation Park, 500 George Street N

Traditional Gathering 12 – 6PM
This beautiful day long celebration features Drumming & Dancing from Indigenous nations, fine arts and craft people, regional food specialties, canoeing, family art-making activities, contemporary performance, gallery tours, storytellers and culturally-grounded workshops. The Ode’min Giizis Traditional Gathering is a platform for social exchanges, cultural sharing, and ceremonious rituals. Indeed, this special day is a time of teaching, learning, singing, dancing, feasting, sharing, and healing.
Del Crary Park, 100 George Street N
|Tix: By Donation

Panel Discussion 5 -7PM
Supported by the department of Indigenous Studies Pine Tree Lecture Series, Trent University
Robert Houle’s Paris / Ojibwa. With Barry Ace, Deb Chansonneuve, David McIntosh, moderated by Wanda Nanibush.
Panel includes the artist, Robert Houle, and theorists David McIntosh, Barry Ace and Deb Chansonneauve, who discuss Houle’s AGP exhibition, which acts as witness to the period when Ojibwa and Parisian cultures first make contact in France.
Market Hall, 140 Charlotte St.
Free

Outdoor Music Concert 8PM
IndieGenius featuring a musical collaboration with David Maracle (flute and percussion), Chaka Chikodzi (marimba), Gabriel Ayala (classical guitar) and The Imbayakunas, music and songs from the Andes; Old Mush Singers; the Resolutionaries and the Country Boys.
Hunter Street Stage (between Aylmer and Chambers)
Tix: By donation

Sunday June 19th

Iroquois Lacrosse Program  9AM – 4PM
Dewa:ao gajihgwa;e (The Creator’s Game)
Taught by members of the Iroquois National Team and members of the Peterborough Lakers

The Iroquois Lacrosse Program is a day-long interactive program for youth to learn lacrosse skills and the cultural origins of the game, taught by some of the best players in Canada. It teaches boys and girls to
• understand the true origins of lacrosse;
• participate in skills, drills and interactive games;
• hear about the opportunities available in the fastest growing team sport in North America

Place: Thomas A. Stewart School, 1009 Armour Rd., in the gym and on the field.
Ages: Boys and girls, ages 6-16
Fee: $10
To register: Call 705-745-1788 or email//okw-arts.ca/festival/festival-schedule/info@okw-arts.ca”> info@okw-arts.ca

Lunch: Participants must bring their own lunch.
Sticks: Do you need a stick? Sticks will be provided at no cost if you let us know upon registration.

Traditional Gathering Committee

Our dynamic committee has come together to carefully plan this exciting undertaking in effort to bring our community together in celebration of the heartbeat, unity, and the sweetness of the strawberry.

2011 Ode’min Giizis Traditional Gathering Committee members include:
Cara Cowie
Noelle Ewing
Georgina Horton-Baptiste
Liz Osawamick
Wendy Phillips
Karyn Drane-Recollet
Patti Shaughnessy
Heather Stewart
Liz Stone
Karen Watts
Hilary Wear
Shirley Williams

Traditional Gathering Etiquette: Pow Wows are fun events! Here are a few gentle reminders for those who are unfamiliar with Pow Wow protocol:

• Those who are able to stand are requested to during all ceremonial songs and dances. These include the Grand Entry, Flag songs, Veteran Songs, Honour Songs, and any other songs that the M.C. designates as ceremonial songs.
• Please feel free to take any photos, video or sound recording, but be sure to listen for announcements from the M.C. to withhold from documenting certain ceremonial songs and dances.
• If you wish someone to pose for a picture, please ask permission.
• Be sure listen to the M.C. as he will announce the different songs and will also let visitors know when they may dance and when there are songs for specific dance categories or specials. He will also announce other information and news.
• Please respect the Elders, singers, dancers, drummers, and the Traditional Gathering staff and Committee.
• The dancers wear regalia while they are dancing, not “costumes”. People should not touch the regalia or take photos unless they receive permission from the dancer.
• The sacred fire is a place to examine your thoughts and to pray. Please ask the Fire Keeper if you are not informed on proper protocol, they will be happy to inform you.
• Parents should take good care of their children at the Festival. Those who have young children are asked not to carry their child within the dance arena. Anishinaabe teachings are that if a child is held within the arena it may be suggested that the child is being offered back to the Creator.
• Drugs or alcohol are not permitted on the Traditional Gathering grounds.
• Please do not bring your dogs to the dancing and drumming area. Remember that Del Crary Park is smoke free, so puff in designated smoking areas.
• Have fun, ask questions, and meet people!

  Greening the Festival and Traditional Gathering Dishware Policy

We are requesting the help of all attendees to contribute to reducing emissions, waste, water use, and energy consumption. To do so, we are requesting that everyone:

• Bring a Feasting Bundle of a reusable plate, bowl, and utensil, which will reduce landfill waste. Alternately we will provide a safe and sanitized Feasting Bundle for a $1 deposit, refunded upon return of dishware.
• Ride a bike, walk, take the bus or canoe to Del Crary Park to reduce carbon emissions.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – water filling stations will be provided free of charge. This significantly reduces production of non-biodegradable plastic.
• Do Not Litter or Waste – please place all compostables and recyclables in the bins provided and ensure that ALL Cigarette BUTTS are placed in the garbage cans. This will ensure that the toxic chemicals do not seep into our lake, river, and underground aquifers from which our communities drink.

OKW and Public Energy would like to thank-you in advance for being environmentally responsible during this Festival as we all contribute to keeping our land, water, and air clean and safe for the next seven generations (and beyond). Miigwech.