Day 1 - Radio Broadcast June 21, 2011
My day began at 9:30AM, when Alanna, one of the CKUT radio volunteers, joined me for some grocery shopping for lunch because our pre-determined kitchen coordinator bailed last minute. The meals became an onus on the volunteers, CKUT
radio, and the youth centre. Luckily, we were creative and came up with a quick and easy lunch menu for an indeterminate number of people.
Back at the Friendship Centre, everything was gleaning with a glow of new beginning. The gallery looked amazing. I still can't get over how the tiny storage space boutique was cleansed only 6 months ago in time for Christmas shopping, today, artworks are placed on the shelf according to the artist and looking professional and elegant. This is one project I am extremely proud of and continue to support it.
The radio equipments were setup on the empty lot up the street on St. Laurent. Volunteers were busily setting up make-shift tents and a broadcast station. Downstairs in the youth centre, other volunteers were chopping up fruit and vegetable, putting together sandwich plates, fruit salad, and potato chips, ready to carry out for lunch. Artists came at the time they were assigned and played original music. One hour was dedicated to the youth MCs at the youth centre who had been working on their own music for some time, creating beats on the computer and syncing their voices to the tunes. Beatrice Deer, a Mohawk-Inuit singer who sings her songs in both English and Inuktitut came and put on a terrific show at 3:30PM. Passerby stopped to listen and a crowd of 20 and more people applauded after her show and throat singing performance with her partner. At the same time, carvers were sculpting soapstone pieces outside and youths were finishing up their own pieces. Eugene was very happy with the carving turnout because participants were much more involved. Some of the pieces are going to be displayed at the gallery, some would be auctioned off the following day at the mini-powwow.
The youth centre became a playground for the little ones as volunteers and staff busied themselves as childcare service. In fact, this is possibly one of the hardest tasks on-site - imagine over 10 screaming children fighting for the ice hockey table, the crayons, the paints, and the toys. So props to the volunteers!
The radio show was successful, in fact, there was no break or silence in between. By 5PM, the entire setup moved indoors just before the community supper. Tiotha'ke drummed for half an hour, giving everyone a good ring to the ears and anted up the excitement level in the room. While everyone ate, several artists came on air to sing and perform. At the end of the 8 hour broadcast, I interviewed a former youth centre worker who is now working for another Inuit cultural institution and in the process of working on his own film.
Final cleanup at 9:30PM, and we all returned home after putting in 10 hours of work, exhausted but exhilarated.
Day 2 - mini-powwow June 22, 2011
The doors were open at 10AM, and people were already gathering around the drum circles, forming a larger circle with an empty space in the middle for the dancers. The room was starting to fill up with people, and we worried about over-capacity. Unfortunately, vendors did not come and we did not have the number of dancers expected. However, the turnout was great, it was energetic, small, and close-knit. Everyone knew everyone, shook each other's hands and hugged one another. Have not seen that kind of community atmosphere at the centre for some time now.
Grand entry at noon, dancers were all lined up and Joey, a staff carried the Friendship Centre staff and led the remaining drummers in the grand entry while drums were beaten hard and loud in the background. Al, another committed worker and organizer for this event, delegated tasks so that the event would run smoothly and safely. This day, I didn't do much at all, just enjoyed the day, said hi to people, and watched the dancers do their thing. Unfortunately, we eventually ran out of food for everyone, and just sold bannik here and there.
The auction did not turn out as expected, artworks were sold under-priced as we all cringed at how cheap a stone carving was sold for. Even some of the youth centre donations were sold much less than the original price. So this is not a good way to fundraise we decided and returned to the regular gallery activity.
I suppose there had to be some setbacks in an event like this. Some of the hosts who were assigned to the radio show did not show up; no kitchen coordinator, and no MC for the powwow and auction as originally planned. However, as with all things, we always have to get over these hurdles and not let the small things ruin the big picture. Many lessons were learned in two days. Improvisation, problem-solving on the spot, delegating tasks and responsibilities and following through on these responsibilities.
The drumming and singing and dancing stopped around 5PM, after which everyone scrambled for the Powwow giveaway at the end of the day, a present for all those who helped in the activity and all those who participated. The gallery and the youth centre coop initiative did well for themselves as well, making a name out there and fundraising for the centre and the event.
Dinner was one of the best ever at the centre, with Alan's most delicious three bean salad I've ever had! Not to mention all the wild game and meat: Beaver stew, Arctic Char soup, moose stew, goose and tarmigan wild rice. Everything one can find up north during the good hunting season. Community supper was a mix between community members and visitors, with the visitors coming back for third and even fourth servings in some cases. While the dinner was delicious, I don't think I can ever serve dinner again, it is completely a whole new ball field when it comes to dealing with picky eaters and demanding customers.
At the end of the night, we all flopped in our chairs, or the floor, with a loud sigh of relief. It was a successful event, one that is to be remembered and appreciated. Every person present had a good time, even the little ones. The biggest lesson of the two-day celebration is that: it was not something made from one person, it was an endeavor pursued by many people, each putting in their respective effort, and thus creating something so amazing and marvelous. We smile and rejoice that many people lent a hand to this event, that we did not back down when there were challenges facing us, and we stood together and watched a community come alive and together.
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