Aboriginal Arts & Stories Competition

Tell your story - Show your talent

http://www.our-story.ca/guidelines-prizing/

"Create a writing or art piece that explores a moment or theme in Aboriginal history or culture. This year's deadline is March 31, 2014, and is open to Canadians of Aboriginal ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Inuit and Métis) between the ages of 14 - 29. (New this year: our competition is open to emerging writers and artists between the ages of 11-13!)"

A 200-400 word Artist's or Author's Statement that explains how your piece reflects or interprets the moment or theme you selected must accompany your entry into the Aboriginal Arts & Stories competition.

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Prospective members in limbo

Interview on CBC Central Morning

http://www.cbc.ca/centralmorning/episodes/2013/11/12/still-in-review/

"Thousands of people are still waiting for reviews of the applications for membership to the Qalipu Mi'kmaq band. We hear from their lawyer."

I wonder how this dispute about who "qualifies" to be Mi'kmaw reflects on the notion of aboriginal identity. And what does this mean for band members of other FN groups who move away from their traditional lands - are they to be denied? Too bad there is not room for everyone who has roots to reclaim their heritage and be proud representatives of the L'nuq to the world.

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In Flanders Fields

Maqamikek Flanders (posted by Dameion Osmond)

Na Maqamikek Flanders nikutikl wasuekl ta'n elisultiek

Miawe'k na klujjiewe'l pememkitekl.

Sisipji'jk telintu'tijik wijey na'tel musikiskituk

Je tlia' wa'qij nutuj ta'n te'sikl pe'skewe'l.

Ninen nepu'tiek mu piam sa'qe'l mimajultiekip aq

mekite'mekip te's piley na'kwek kisapniaq.

Kesalua'tiekip aq wijey mesnmekip

katu nike' eliusultiek na maqamikek flanders.

Kilew pe'l nike' wsua'tuinen ntipuninal aq

wnaqnmuinen ta'n mu pekwanmuekl.

Wla mtawekn amuj kilew koqwa'tuoq

aq nespnmoq aq mu lekepp.

Mita ta'n ninen nepu'tiek ma kisi atlasmultiwek

je tlia' wasuekl nikwek na maqamikek flanders.

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Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival | Remix. Reflect. Resonate. Remain.

VIMAF - Nov 6th - 11th

http://vimaf.com/

"The Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival (VIMAF) recognizes and affirms the Unceded Coast Salish Territories of the Skwxwú7mesh, xʷməθkʷəyəm and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.  VIMAF exists to advance critical Indigenous discourse and cross-cultural engagement on issues through innovative media arts practices. VIMAF honours Indigenous media arts by facilitating a culture of dialogue; fostering critical awareness, cultural sovereignty, and contemporary storytelling through the use of media arts."

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“Native Peoples of North America" - text

An anthropological introduction to Native peoples

http://opensuny.org/omp/index.php/SUNYOpenTextbooks/catalog/book/75

"Native Peoples of North America," written by SUNY Potsdam Professor of Anthropology Dr. Susan Stebbins is an anthropological introduction to the Native peoples of what are now the United States and Canada, focusing on presenting both historical and contemporary information from anthropological categories such as language, kinship, economic and political organization, religion and spirituality and art.

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This month, explore Mi’kmaq culture, history and values

Mi'kmaw communities in Nova Scotia celebrate Mi'kmaq History Month

http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1159355-this-month-explore-mi-kmaq-culture-history-and-values

"As Mi'kmaq, we are proud of our history and culture. That is why Mi'kmaw communities throughout Nova Scotia proudly celebrate Mi'kmaq History Month and frequently host local powwows that showcase our music, food, dance, storytelling, beautiful regalia and crafts. These family-friendly gatherings, which are open to people of all ages, cultures and beliefs, are an opportunity to build bridges of understanding and friendship and to challenge many of the myths and misconceptions that still beset our people."

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Nikmaq - My Family

Talking Mi'kmaq posters

http://www.firstnationhelp.com/ali/posters/poster11.html

A clickable "audio" poster to learn the names of family members.

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The Lost Teachings

Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Heritage Month

http://globalnews.ca/video/877060/the-lost-teachings/

"Global News Halifax - Author Michael Isaac drops by to discuss his new book, The Lost Teachings. Once again, he highlights the Mi'kmaq culture in this children's tale of the Seven Teachings."

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"Etlintoq" Mi'kmaq Songs From the past

The oldest existing transcriptions

http://mikmaq123.blogspot.ca/2013/09/the-oldest-native-american-transcribed.html

"Marc Lescarbot, a French lawyer and writer who came to Acadia in 1606 along with Champlain, provides us with the oldest existing transcriptions of a songs from the Americas — three songs by Membertou, Sagamo of the Mi'kmaq."

Using solfège, Lescarbot wrote out the pitch values for three short Mi'kmaw songs. His mulitvolume book is available in French via Gutenberg.org and can be downloaded in a variety of formats. The music transcription is in Chapter 5 of book 6 (Sixième livre contenant les moeurs et façons...) Lescarbot has a poor opinion of the customs of the people he meets and often makes reference to singing and dancing as somehow being directed towards the devil ("vers le diable".) He was unable to appreciate the music of the L'nuk.

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"The Truth about Stories: A Native Narrative"

Native experience and imagination - Thomas King

http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/massey-archives/2003/11/07/massey-lectures-2003-the-truth-about-stories-a-native-narrative/

In his 2003 Massey lecture, award-winning author and scholar Thomas King looks at the breadth and depth of Native experience and imagination.  Beginning with Native oral stories, King weaves his way through literature and history, religion and politics, popular culture and social protest, in an effort to make sense of North America's relationship with its Aboriginal peoples.

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