Ode’min Giizis 2010

WELCOME

Ode’min Giizis (strawberry moon) is the sixth moon of the Anishnaabe calender. 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, which signifies the “heart” in Anishnaabe language. As the strawberry resembles the shape and colour of the human heart it also represents the sweetness and kindest of emotions that bring people together to feast and exchange ideas.

The Ode’min Giizis Festival will celebrate this auspicious time of year and traditional Anishnaabe territory with a four day multi disciplinary arts festival in Peterborough, Ontario featuring local and visiting artists from the four directions. The O’Kaadenigan Wiingashk Collective and Public Energy invite you to come out to experience a diversity of Indigenous artistic expression and events from an Aboriginal perspective – including gallery talks, film presentations, and a music showcase.

Each of the presenting artists are unified by a strong self-determined aesthetic that honours traditional lands, culture and knowledge while also pushing boundaries in their own respective arts 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.

* Peterborough sits on traditional territory of the Anishnaabe 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 Part, and Aboriginal oral traditions confirm this regional history. Today the original territory of the Anishnaabe has been reduced and severed into three distinctive First Nations in the area, however most peoples recognize the traditional boundaries of the Anishnaabe peoples.

Festival Schedule 2010

Wednesday, June 16

Festival Opening Welcoming ceremonies
Exhibit Ayaadagon, Outdoor art in an Anishinaabe garden
Book Launch: This is an Honour Song
Panel Discussion: facilitated by Leanne Simpson
7-9PM Art Gallery of Peterborough

Opening Night Party
Mihirangi, Lester Alfonso, Bear Witness, Jackson 2 Bears
10PM Kubo Lounge

Thursday, June 17

Artist Talk
with Neal McLeod
Exhibit
Sons of a Lost River
7:30PM Art Gallery of Peterborough

Live Music
Samantha Crain & Sean Conway
9:30PM The Historic Red Dog Tavern

Friday, June 18

Performance Art
Mapping Resistances curated by Wanda Nanibush
Meet at Confederation Park 6PM

Theatre/Story Telling:
A Sacred Gift: a Celebration Makka Kleist
9PM Gordon Best Theatre

Live Music
Lucie Idlout & Sarah DeCarlo
10PM GBT

Saturday, June 19

Performance Art: Mapping Resistances curated by Wanda Nanibush
Meet at Confederation Park 4PM

Outdoor Concert
Missy Knott, Northern Cree, OKA, Mihirange, Tanya Tagaq
7-10:30PM Del Crary Park

Sunday, June 21

1st Day Traditional Gathering/Pow Wow
Noon Welcoming and Grand Entry:
Storytellers, drummers, singers, dancers, regional cuisine, canoeing, art vendors, 30 foot performance tipi
All Day at Del Crary Park

Monday, June 21

Community Procession
10AM Meet at City Hall
Parade along George St. to Del Crary Park

2nd Day Traditional Gathering/Pow Wow
Noon Welcoming and Grand Entry:
Storytellers, drummers, singers, dancers, regional cuisine, canoeing, art vendors, 30 foot performance tipi
All Day at Del Crary Park