Everything is connected: Songs, relationships, and Indigenous worldviews.
1) Singing Dreaming songs into reality
Facilitated by Garry Oker (1:45 PM)
Singing dreamers song into reality is a workshop on expressing Beaver language songs and mixing traditional drum songs and turn it into music. In this workshop I will provide examples on how indigenous traditional songs and language can be used for inspiration to create innovative music. The participants will hear multiple musical ideas and experiments to encourage youth to express their language in live performances and mixing drum beats using vocables and launch pad technology.
Bio
Garry Oker MA is a multi-dimensional artist, Painter, designer, cultural arts promoter, and prototyping ideas. Traditional knowledge -Expressions of Dane-zaa worldview, and philosophy, Cultural Carrier -Song keeper, ceremony leader, and creative leader. Cultural Connector Community Festivals organizer and Community engagement specialist and Cross cultural trainer, Music Composer of beaver language songs and studio recorder, live performer and audio production director.
Previous projects include directing and performing at the multi-media Aboriginal Pavilion Musical Performance at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, designing the Dreamer Drum Coke Bottle for Coca-Cola (2010), exhibiting at festivals and galleries (e.g. Power of the Land, Spirit Dreamers), co-directing and producing the opening and closing ceremonies for the Arctic Winter Games (2010), directing and producing the documentaries “They Dream about Everything” (2005) and “Contact the People” (2002), directing the Virtual Museum project “Dane Wajich- Dane-zaa Stories & Songs: Dreamers and the Land.” His music CDs include Dreamland (2015), Spirit Dreamers (2010), and Ride (2010). He also produced the Dane-zaa Dreamers Drumming Collection (1966-2001), and Dane-zaa Wajihe Language and Dreamers Songs (2000).
2) All My Relations-Western Classical Music and Indigenous music making meet in conversation with cellist & composer, Cris Derksen, and opera singer & performer,
Rebecca Hass
Facilitated by Cris Derksen and Rebecca Hass (1:45 PM)
What does excellence mean in music? And through whose world view? How do Indigenous musicians walk in multiple musical worlds and find expression and acceptance? What role does music education play in supporting the next generation of Indigenous musician? Join Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen, and opera singer and host Rebecca Hass, as they share their professional music making journeys and through their conversation learn how carrying these two musical traditions forward has impacted their experience of identity, creativity and community.
Bio
Juno nominated Cris Derksen, originally from Northern Alberta, Canada, is an internationally respected Indigenous cellist and composer. Derksen braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music.
As a composer she has her foot in many worlds working in choral, symphonic, film, theatre and dance, and is regularly commissioned by major Canadian orchestras and new music ensembles. As a performer Derksen performs nationally and internationally. Recent destinations include Hong Kong, Australia, Mongolia, Europe, Mexico and a whole lot of Canada: the place Derksen refers to as home.
2021 commissions include pieces for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Ottawa's Chamberfest, the City of Toronto, Edmonton New Music, the Edmonton Symphony with support from the National Arts Centre, Vancouver's Blueridge Chamber Festival, Vancouver Transform Cabaret, and a 4-part docuseries for the Knowledge Network. A new album of Cris Derksen’s works will be released in 2022.
Rebecca Hass was raised in Coldwater (Gissinausebing), Ontario, Treaty 20 and Williams Treaty territory on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe. A citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia, and of mixed European descent (German, English), her Métis ancestor’s traditional territory is Georgian Bay. She is a founding member and co-chair of the Victoria Arts, Culture and Diversity Collective and winner of the 2019 Arts and Culture Award for Community work in Victoria. Rebecca is also the co-chair of the Indigenous Committee for Actors Equity, and a board member for the newly formed Culture Den, an all Indigenous female not for profit, focused on manifesting culturally safe creative spaces for Indigenous community. Rebecca is a member of the ANSWER2 drum group, an all-indigenous collective that brings songs as medicine to audiences throughout Vancouver Island.
As an artist, Rebecca enjoyed an over 30-year career as a mezzo soprano performing across Canada with almost every opera company and orchestra as a soloist and lead performer. Her career has encompassed teaching voice, mentoring young artists in living fully as creatives, and as a radio broadcaster and documentary maker for CBC. A compulsive story teller, Rebecca is currently working with Anishinaabe Elder Rene Meshake, and physical theatre artist John Aitken (Coast Salish, Haida, Scottish) on a multi- media, multi disciplinary film and theatre piece, called “Manaadjia” - which translates as “to take care of our people in order to conserve them for a long time”.
3) Story to Song
Facilitated by Jessica Johnson, Drew Blaney, and Gail Blaney (1:45 PM)
The team will go over the process of the creation and execution of the Story to Song (S2S) program. This program ran for several years before the pandemic and provided local and guest Indigenous students in grades 10-12 students with graduation credits for participating in a 3 day – two night experiential cultural learning retreat. Students were exposed to Indigenous culture in various forms, including arts, music, and storytelling with Elders, community, and Knowledge Keepers.
This program would be easily adaptable to different communities. Through the participation in cultural activities, the students worked with support of education staff, Tla’amin Nation staff, Elders and Knowledge Keepers to create modern ‘traditional’ songs. The presenters will walk the participants through the creation, and lessons learned so that District Principals, Indigenous communities, or music teachers can replicate this process in their districts.
Bio
Gail Blaney – Gail, from Tla’amin Nation, retired in June 2020 from a career of service to the students and staff in School District 47. She was instrumental in the creation of many successful programs and services for Indigenous students. Gail is passionate about her language and culture and generously shares her teachings with others.
Drew Blaney – Drew is the Culture and Heritage Manager for the Tla’amin Nation, the territory on which SD47 resides. Drew is a gifted composer of traditional songs and dedicated to supporting the reclamation and continuation of Tla’amin language (ʔayʔaǰuθəm) and cultural practices.
Jessica Johnson – Jessica is a Metis educator, currently in the role of District Principal of Indigenous Education for SD47. Jessica has worked in Indigenous Education for a decade promoting the inclusion of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives in the curriculum.
4) 1001 Indigenous Drums
Facilitated by Dr. Davita Marsen and Chas Desjarlais (1:45 PM)
This session is interactive and lecture based. All audiences are welcomed. The content of this session is relevant for people working with Elementary students, Secondary students, and adults. Drums will be provided during the workshop for those participants who do not have one. My recommendation is to advance Indigenous drum work as a more formal pedagogy and an active element in the curriculum in the public education domain. The analysis of Indigenous drumming and singing aligns with evidence-based approaches and the quantification of learning. The VSB has expressed its interest in this research and the potential findings and outcomes of the impacts of Indigenous drumming and singing on student wellbeing. I intend to positively influence and continue to Indigenize the schooling curriculum with Indigenous drum work and through scaffolding primary education grades kindergarten through 12. People are welcome to bring their own drums.
Bio
Aniin, my name is Davita Aphrodite-Lee Marsden. I am Anishinaabewe and Lakota on my maternal side and English and Irish on my paternal side. I am a 60s scoop baby. My ancestral roots are from Mississauga Scugog Island First Nation in Ontario. I walk traditionally in the Indigenous medicine path of the Midewiwin and Sundance. I have been an educator for over 30 years. Presently, I am a District Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education with the Vancouver School Board (VSB). BFA, PDP, BEd, ECE, CPSY, MEd, & PhD. In Indigenous Studies; Education & Culture.
Bio
My name is Chas Desjarlais and I am a nêhiyaw/Metis educator and scholar working for the Vancouver School Board as the District Principal of Indigenous Education. I am a member of Cold Lake First Nations and currently enrolled in the Department of Educational Studies pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy.
5) The Circle of the Drum
Facilitated by Roslyn Smith (3:15 PM)
In this workshop, I will speak to the teachings of the drum. I will further participant understanding of the drum as a sacred hoop and why circles are important in Indigenous cultures. A rhythmic reading of the poem, “The Drum” by Laurel Emert of the Blackfoot Nation will be shared as well as numerous Indigenous songs.
This is an interactive workshop where attendees will sing, play, and dance, and connect with one another. Participants who are able to are invited to bring a drum. A limited number of drums will be provided and can be shared to include all who are present.
Further information on types of Drums and more information on my teachings are as follows.
Drums: Workshop learners can bring a rawhide hand drum or a rattle. I can supply a few extra drums and rattles to share. Alternatively, learners can use their hands if they do not have a drum or rattle.
Teachings: I have accumulated traditional knowledge to urban lessons.
Traditional: Knowledge and songs passed from the eldest matriarch in my family (my mother from the Chilcotin & Carrier first nations). I started drumming and singing when I was young with my mother. My mother and I attended the White Buffalo Society in the Algonquin territories when I was 17 yrs old and then I continued learning throughout the years.
Urban: I have learnt a mixture of songs from many Nations.
I have learnt from Russell Wallace of the Lil'wat Nation at SFU, Sherryl Sewepagham of the Cree/Dene Nation, Andrea Menard of the Métis Nation during a Matriarch workshop, White Buffalo Society of many Nations in Ottawa and more workshops throughout the years, like; Aboriginal Support Worker conferences, Native Education College, Pro-D days, to an Indigenous Mother Goose training with Nadine Gagne of the Metis.
Bio
Roslyn Smith is an Indigenous support worker for New Westminster Schools. She is from the Carrier Nation. She is a song keeper and a drum maker. Roslyn is well known for her animated storytelling and she shares Indigenous songs and stories with children of all ages. Some of her work can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/rozsmith
Andrea Menard of the Metis nation during a Matriarch workshop, White Buffalo Society of many nations in Ottawa and more workshops throughout the years, like; Aboriginal Support Worker conferences, Native Education College, Pro-D days, to an Indigenous Mother Goose training with Nadine Gagne of the Metis.
6) A Two Step Dance Around the Drum
Facilitated by Mavis Aubichon (3:15 PM)
"A Two-Step Dance Around the Drum" participants will enjoy a short story highlighting the origin of the drum followed by a body break sing along. They will then find themselves witnessing a drum build and singing songs in a drum circle. There will be seeds planted throughout the workshop indicating how teachers can approach the drum with students in classroom settings so please arrive with an open mind and heart as well as a willing (or at least curious) spirit. Drums will be made available for you to experience first-hand. This presentation is suitable for all human beings in any stage or age of life because drum therapy sends good vibrations to the entire circle, and because everything is connected!
Bio
Mavis Aubichon is a Cree Metis mother. She is a longstanding cultural presenter for local School Districts. Her first drum she made 20 years ago, and she has been invited to share in making well over 100 drum babies with fellow drum makers. Mavis has hosted many drum circles in the Comox Valley where she lives. These three loves of her life- being a mom, living in this tremendous territory, and sharing her cultural learning's- all feed and water her. A treasured byproduct of this sharing is that she learns something necessary that adds to her growth and development. Mavis is confident she plants seeds wherever she grows. Her tribal name is Sunflower Song.
7) Indigenous Music Through the Seasonal Rounds
Facilitated Francois Prince, Julie Fisher, and Jen Pighin (3:15 PM)
This resource highlights local Indigenous musicians from Northern BC, and supplies teachers with the audio and/or video clips of their music. Songs are accompanied by lesson plans that include not only Curricular Competencies and Content, but also FPPL and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. It was created by a team of Music teachers, Indigenous Education workers and leaders, and permissions and suggestions by the musicians involved. It was the first Learning Team Grant that was supported by both Curriculum & Innovations and Indigenous Education in order to make it happen. This is a living document that we continue to add to, and are now expanding from Elementary to Secondary content. We intend to speak of our journey working together on this project, (Jen- Indigenous leader, Francois – Indigenous musician featured in the project, Julie – lead on the idea and development), as well as showing participants some of the songs and activities, and answering questions to help them to create similar projects for their own districts.
Bio
Francois Prince- is an elder from Nak’azdli Whut’en (Ft. St. James) who belongs to the Beaver Clan. He is an Indigenous artist, musician, and writer who has recorded and shared many of his songs within our area. He believes that if anyone wants to learn our culture it is best experienced by allowing it to become a way of living in connection to the land, animals, and people.
Jennifer Pighin- is a member of the Lheidli T'enneh with Wet'suwet'en, French and Italian ancestry. She is an artist and educator born and raised in Lheidli territory. Jennifer is currently the Vice Principal of Language and Culture for SD 57 Indigenous Education.
Julie Fisher- has been an educator in SD 57 for over 35 years, and has had the privilege of teaching both in the regular classroom, and then as a Music teacher. She is currently in the District role of Fine Arts Support Teacher K-12. She is incredibly honoured to have been involved in this project, and to have grown in her personal knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture as she did so.
8) Building A Community - Indigenous Drum Making Legacy Project
Facilitated by Ruby Ba and Suzi Bekkattla (3:15 PM)
This workshop will use a mix of story-telling and interactive participation to share conversations around embedding Indigenous ways of knowing and being in music classes. As a non-Indigenous educator, Ruby will share the story of an indigenous drum making legacy project that she led at her school in Vancouver under the guidance of the district's Indigenous Education Department admin Dr. Davita Marsden. Using her experiences of working with Indigenous knowledge keepers in a diverse student demographic school community to jumpstart the conversation, participants will then have the opportunity to explore practical ways of bringing community-based teaching principles back to their practice.
Bio
Ruby Ba is an elementary music educator in the Vancouver School District. A Taiwanese-Canadian graduate of UVic, Ruby recognizes that music is a rich medium that allows for self-exploration and the cultivation of community values and has prioritized practices that encourage self-reflection, personal growth, and building a culture of leadership and connection within the student population. Driven by a desire to continue decolonizing music education and creating equitable and inclusive learning spaces, Ruby has completed postgraduate coursework with a focus on Indigenizing music education and hopes to pursue a M. Ed with the same concentration in the near future.
Bio
Suzi is a member of the Dene Nation of Buffalo River Band (Dillon, Saskatchewan). She has been working with VSB for the last 20 years as an Indigenous Education Worker providing support for students in various settings, including family and school staff support, circle talks, and incorporating storytelling and art-based education in the school communities. Suzi has created, directed, and produced 18 documentary video films regarding various topics such as Indigenous spirituality, education and music, literature, environmental issues, residential schools, the influence of spoken words in media, historical and cultural tour of the Dene people who are part of the Athapaskan Language family. She hosted an Indigenous radio program called Awakening Dreams by Language – where community Indigenous leaders and elders were able to educate Indigenous youth about culture and Indigenous education. It gave them a voice and skills such as interviewing skills. It introduced them to Indigenous culture through Indigenous methods of education-through-storytelling. Suzi holds a Visual Arts certificate from University of Victoria En’Owkin International School of Writing / Visual Arts, and a certificate in Indigenous Film and Digital Arts Production. She studied an intensive course in Media in Gulf Island Film School. She was the recipient of National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation in 2005 and 2007, and Canada Council for the Arts: Aboriginal Media Arts Award in 2008. Suzi is fluent in Dene language, which her father, Patrick and late mother, Adeline Bekkattla, both Residential School survivors, had fought to maintain their Indigenous upbrings to pass the teachings to her and her siblings.