Ode’min Giizis 2009
WELCOME
Ode’min Giizis (strawberry moon) is the sixth moon of the Anishnaabe 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, 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 2009
Monday, June 15
PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT
Dr. Marlene Brant Castellano: Sharing Remembrances: Sharing a Future
Presented by The PETERBOROUGH TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) SUPPORT GROUP
Peterborough Public Library Auditorium, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, June 17
VISUAL ART EXHIBITION
Nogojiwanong Curated by William Kingfisher
Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent Street), 7:00 pm.
After the opening of Nogojiwanong, art lovers will make their way to exhibiting downtown venues at Black Honey (221 Hunter Street W), Kubo (413 George Street N), Blue Tomato (168 Hunter Street W), Catalina (131 Hunter Street W), and The Sapphire Room (137 Hunter Street W)
CONCERT
Gary Farmer with Brock Stonefish & Battle River Blues Band.
Live at the Historic Red Dog Tavern, 10:00 pm. $10 Tickets can be purchased at Showplace.
Thursday, June 18
PERFORMANCE/INSTALLATION
Rez-Erection: Belle Sauvage, Buffalo Boy and Miss Chief Eagle Testickle set up Camp curated by Wanda Nanibush.
Artspace, 8:00 pm. Stills from Kent Monkman’s Shooting Geronimo.
DANCE PARTY
Come dance the night away with DJ Madeskimo and Bear Witness
Kubo Lounge (413 George Street N), 10:00 pm.
Friday, June 19
CONCERT
Keith Secola and Special Guests, with opening acts by Peterborough Native Sarah DeCarlo and Drea Nasager.
Market Hall, 8:00 pm. $15 Tickets can be purchased at Showplace.
.Saturday, June 20
BOOK READING AND SIGNING
Lighting the Eighth Fire, a collection of essays by Indigenous writers from across Canada edited by Leanne Betasmosake Simpson, a Peterborough native and well-known Nishnaabekwe activist and educator. Dishonour of the Crown: The Ontario Resource Regime in the Valley of the Kiji Sibi by Dr. Paula Sherman. Neal McLeod will be reading from his books Gabriel’s Beach and Songs to Kill A Wîhtikow.
A signing will also take place with Tomson Highway. Titles Book Store (379 George N), 1-3 pm
OKA
Join us in the Charlotte Street Courtyard of Peterborough Square and dance to the uplifting sound of OKA. Help us bring our 12 foot high puppets to life in preparation for the Community Procession on June 21. Many thanks to Red Pepper Spectacle Arts for their participating company of puppetry images and artists. 2:00 pm
CABARET
Tomson Highway on piano with singer Patty Cano, perform songs from two of Mr. Highway’s own musical plays, The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito and Rose, with opening act Missy Knott.
Market Hall, 8:00 pm $15 Tickets can be purchased at Showplace.
Sunday, June 21
ODE’MIN GIIZIS TRADITIONAL GATHERING
Storytellers, drummers, hoop dancers, regional cuisine, art vendors and a 30-foot performance tipi.
A community procession is gathering at 12pm from Peterborough City Hall to Del Crary Park for grand entry around the drum.
Monday, June 22
FILM SCREENING
Waterlife (Fresh from its premiere at the Hot Docs festival). Directed by Kevin McMahon and featuring Elder Josephine Mandamin.
Market Hall (336 Geroge Street North), 7:00 pm
$10 Tickets can be purchased at Showplace. Co-presented by ORCA & ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival
Tuesday, June 23
ARTIST TALK WITH BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE
An Intimate Evening with Elaine Bomberry in conversation with the multimedia artist, activist, Academy Award winner, singer songwriter, Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Market Hall (336 George Street N),8:00 pm. $20 Tickets can be purchased at Showplace.
Supported by the Pine Tree Lecture Series in association with the Department of Indigenous Studies at Trent University and the Peterborough Community Race Relations Committee.
Wednesday, June 24
CONCERT
Buffy Sainte-Marie at the Festival of Lights. With NYC-based a cappella trio Ulali.
In partnership with The Peterborough Festival of Lights. Del Crary Park 8:00 pm
