Event Details
All are welcome to celebrate indigenous excellence with our first annual barbecue. please bring your family and friends to enjoy this free event! join us anytime from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
11:00 AM
Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack
Prayer & Opening Remarks
Elder Whiskeyjack is a lifelong learner who has dedicated his life to serving others. Whether he is mentoring or advocating for students or colleagues in the community, Francis’s steadfast positivity and determination shines through. A member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, and a residential school survivor, Francis strives to walk a balanced, holistic path and live by the teachings handed down to him from his Elders. He is committed to sharing traditional knowledge and teachings, and promoting awareness and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Francis’s background includes personal healing, health care promotion and cultural studies. He participated in the development of Edmonton’s Urban Aboriginal Accord and was a board member for the Native Friendship Centre. In 2010 he was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Education and in 2019, he received an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Alberta. Francis is also an accomplished artist, musician and cultural advisor. He maintains a close relationship with amiskwaciy Academy, where he spent many years sharing his knowledge and teachings with students, something that continues today. He is greatly admired throughout the Division for his unwavering dedication to supporting and mentoring students. Francis is an Elder with First Peoples’ House at the University of Alberta, where he supports students and staff in a variety of capacities. He is also fluent in the Nêhiyawêwin (Plains Cree) language and promotes learning and retaining the language. In addition to working with Edmonton Public Schools, he has worked for over 15 years as an Elder and cultural advisor at various community organizations including the University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, MacEwan University, NAIT and Concordia University. An advocacy worker who goes the extra mile, Francis’s tireless and sincere desire to work on behalf of Indigenous peoples has earned him tremendous respect throughout the Edmonton area. Francis strives to incorporate thoughtfulness, kindness and curiosity in all of his endeavours. His hope for the new school is for students to feel welcomed, included and supported. Francis’s profound impact on the Edmonton Public School Division and the community will inspire students for generations to come.
11:15 AM
MC Veronica McRae
Greetings
11:30 AM
Lakota Tootoosis & Dancers
From the Poundmaker Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, Lakota Tootoosis has been hoop dancing for 10 years plus. Lakota has travelled internationally to perform in Taiwan, Alaska, and throughout North America showcasing his performance at many, many festivals and international gatherings.
The hoop dance is a storytelling dance and you will recognize formations like the butterfly, eagle and the world to name a few. You will have to utilize your imagination to see numerous images transform throughout his performance.
Lakota has performed with numerous dance troupes in his early years. He has now formed a dance group, Oskinakosiwin Indigenous Dance Group. Oskinakosiwin in Cree is translated as
"new image' and it is Lakotas' dream to empower other dancers through this dance group.
As an Indigenous role model and inspiration to many youth, Lakota takes pride in being a high demand hoop dancer throughout North America.
He shares his powerful personal story through hoop dancing but also by presenting motivational workshops.
12:30 PM
Inuuhiq Inuit Throat Singers Jana Angulalik and Brittney Ullulaq
Jana is an Inuit throat singer/drummer, Handpoke Tattoo Artist, Inuit Cultural Consultant and mother to Sequoia and Izaija. She grew up in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and has called Treaty 6 her home for nearly 4 years.
Brittney is a Nettilingmiut Inuk artist from Yellowknife with family roots in Uqshuuqtuq (Gjoa Haven). She is a new mother to her son, Evren Attaq, the creator of Sedna’s Jewels, and a multidisciplinary artist and model whose work blends traditional materials with contemporary design.