Amelia’s Magazine | Montreal Festimania 2011: First Peoples’ Festival Review

Mohawk Dancer by Maria Papadimitriou aka Slowly The Eggs
Mohawk Dancer by Maria Papadimitriou aka Slowly The Eggs.

At the Place des Festivals in downtown Montreal there were iridescent reindeer wading through sparkling fountains of water next to a giant suspended teepee under which loitered a colourful turtle. Children splashed happily in the water as parents munched on freshly roasted chicken and blueberry corn bread.

Montreal Festimania 2011 First peoples
All photography by Amelia Gregory.

Montreal-Festimania-First-Nations-Antonia-Parker
First Peoples by Antonia Parker.

For a period between 2nd – 9th August the First Peoples’ Festival, sick part of Montreal Festimania was centred at Place des Festivals, approved with various events held at other venues across Montreal. It was a celebration of First Nations cultures from all over the Americas and beyond, cialis 40mg proving that ancient cultures remain relevant in modern times.

Montreal Festimania First Nations by Nabila Ibrahim
Montreal Festimania First Nations by Nabila Ibrahim.

First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory
First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory
First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory
First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory

We went to CineRobotheque for a showing of three short films by indigenous film makers from New Zealand, Australia and North America. Something Fishy by Ben Young featured casual prejudice used to cover up the tragic death of a young aboriginal boy. Ebony Society by Tammy Davis showed young Mauri men going against expected behaviours when their attempt to rob a house goes awry and they instead end up babysitting. In Cousins Sally Kewayosh followed the friendship of two teenagers hooked on the same skater boy.

First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory
Carving by Denis Charette. I particularly loved his beaver bowl.

First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory
First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory
First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory

The Place des Festivals provided a place for local crafts people to show off skills: there were stalls selling jewellery, woven boxes and carved wooden boxes. It was even possible to watch as expert carving (with a distinctly non traditional chainsaw) took place. One evening we watched a group of Mohawk dancers demonstrate some foot stomping traditional dance. It was a great way to find out more about these rich earth centric cultures in a relaxed informal atmosphere.

Montreal Festimania First Nations by Nabila Ibrahim
Montreal Festimania First Nations by Nabila Ibrahim.

First Nations Mohawk Dancing by Barb Royal
First Nations Mohawk Dancing by Barb Royal.

Montreal Festimania First Nations by Faye West
Montreal Festimania First Nations by Faye West.

Montreal Festimania First Nations by Dan Lester
Montreal Festimania First Nations by Dan Lester.

Find out more about the annual First Peoples’ Festival by going to the Native Lynx website or at Montreal Festimania.

First Nations Montreal Festimania 2011 photo by Amelia Gregory

Categories ,Antonia Parker, ,australia, ,Barb Royal, ,Ben Young, ,CineRobotheque, ,Cousins, ,Dan Lester, ,Denis Charette, ,Ebony Society, ,First Nations, ,First Peoples, ,Maria Papadimitriou, ,Mohawk, ,Montreal, ,Montreal Festimania, ,Nabila Ibrahim, ,Native Lynx, ,New Zealand, ,North America, ,Place des Festivals, ,Reindeer, ,Sally Kewayosh, ,Short Film, ,Slowly the Eggs, ,Something Fishy, ,Tammy Davis, ,Teepee, ,Traditional Dance, ,Turtle

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