Back in the long, hot summer of 1990, Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel’s face was a regular feature on nightly newscasts as she became the symbol of Kanesatake’s resistance to the siege by Quebec police.
Now, 12 years later, it will be her art on display as she headlines the visual arts segment of Presence Autochtone.
“Recently, I have worked on depicting themes drawing upon my own heritage and culture, whether it is from a social and political standpoint or simply observational works,” Gabriel says. “By going deeper into their meaning, I realize the world and the people I meet are also part of the culture I explore in my work and that they are also a part of me. Akwe;kon Tetewameren (All my relations) is a reflection on these meditations.” Like Gabriel’s current work, Presence Autochtone attempts to reflect heritage and culture to a wider audience. Though often overshadowed by other Montreal festivals, the month-long celebration of everything from Indian country and western singers to experimental videographers attracts a sizeable audience of aboriginal and non-aboriginal people.
Once again, the mostly free events will happen in Montreal at east-end Berri Square, the National Film Board cinemas and Le Spectrum, both just blocks away.
In the film segment, highlights include Qayaqs and Canoes: Native Ways of Knowing, a look at the boatbuilding traditions of five Alaskan nations; RepRezEntin’, a new fictional television series aimed at aboriginal youth; and Who will sing for us?, a documentary of the Mi’kmaq of Burnt Church’s effort to preserve their traditional fishing rights in the face of non-aboriginal fishermen and the RCMP.
In visual arts, highlights include Gabriel’s installation, which will run for the entire month at a west-end gallery, and Cree artist Virginia Pésémapeo Bordeleau’s Totemic masks for peace, set up at the First Nations garden.
This year, Presence Autochtone will continue its exhibition of traditional aboriginal crafts in its Berri Square setting, under the title Manikashuna. It will include Mohawk and Ojibwe beadwork, storytelling by Mi’kmaq Bob Bourdon and Abenaki Marge Bruchac, and toy making by Inuit Jason Kunuk.
June 14 will see Berri Square turned into the site of a hoe-down with music from Verne Cheechoo and Karen Pine; Claude MacKenzie, formerly of Innu duo Kashtin; and Bourbon Gauthier.
