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WAG & Indigenous Music Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with Virtual Powwow

Community invited to tune in to the livestream from home

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty 1 Territory, June 17, 2020: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) and Indigenous Music are excited to announce a Virtual Powwow in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday, June 21, with grand entry at 1pm. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook from the WAG for all to enjoy.

Event Info:

  • The virtual powwow will adhere to the physical distancing guidelines defined by the province of Manitoba.
  • Participants are encouraged to dance along to the Facebook Live in their homes or yards and tag the WAG and use hashtag #atwag in social media posts for a chance to win cash. Livestream details will be posted in the Facebook event.
  • Full regalia is encouraged but not mandatory.
  • Performers include: SummerBear Dance Troupe, Spence Tradition, Shanley Spence and Darryl Buck, and an Inuit throat singing mother-daughter duo.
  • Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais of Indigenous Music will emcee the event.

About Powwows:

  • Powwows are a celebration of Indigenous traditions, families, and culture.
  • Powwows bring together the young and old through dancing, singing, giveaways, contests, and great food. They are a staple within some Indigenous communities on Turtle Island.

Quotes:

“I’m so pleased that we are able to host the Virtual Powwow celebration in partnership with AMIK.ca and Indigenous Music. The powwow trail isn’t the same this year with the COVID-19 physical distancing guidelines. My hope is that this National Indigenous Peoples Day event will bring the fun of powwows and celebration of Indigenous culture into people’s homes for an afternoon.”
—Julia Lafreniere, Manager of Indigenous Initiatives, Winnipeg Art Gallery

“The WAG’s Indigenization journey is at the heart of our mission to connect, inspire, and inform through art. This National Indigenous Peoples Day, we are honoured to host our first virtual powwow in partnership with AMIK.ca and Indigenous Music. We look forward to continued collaboration with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities throughout Manitoba and Canada in the lead up to the opening of the WAG Inuit Art Centre.”
—Dr. Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, Winnipeg Art Gallery

“We’re excited to partner with the Winnipeg Art Gallery for this special National Indigenous Peoples Day event. It’s a new way to gather together in a virtual space but stay true to sharing Indigenous talent  on such a significant day. We hope our Elders, youth, and allies join us online for this wonderful celebration of Indigenous culture, family, and community.”
– Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, Indigenous Music Development Coordinator, Manitoba Music

Supporters

Presented in partnership with Indigenous Music.

Associated Links

Winnipeg Art Gallery – National Indigenous Peoples Day Virtual Powwow
Indigenous Music

Stay Connected

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram #atwag

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Amber O’Reilly
Engagement Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
PublicRelations@wag.ca

Rachel Stone
Operations & Communications Manager
Manitoba Music
Treaty 1 Territory
204.294.8662
rachel@manitobamusic.com
manitobamusic.com
indigeousmusic.ca
musiquefrancophone.ca

The Winnipeg Art Gallery is a cultural advocate using art to connect, inspire, and inform. Playing a dynamic role in the community, we are a place for learning, dialogue, and enjoyment through art. The WAG holds in trust the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. To celebrate the art and to honour the Inuit, the WAG is building the Inuit Art Centre, the first of its kind. Opening in the coming months, the Centre will bridge Canada’s North and South through exhibitions, research, education, and art making. To learn more visit wag.ca

The Indigenous Music Development Program was launched in 2004 by Manitoba Music to help artists and music entrepreneurs that identify as First Nation, Metis, and Inuit develop sustainable careers in the music industry in Manitoba. The program delivers projects and services that respond to the needs of the industry as identified by a steering committee. Manitoba Music is a member-based, not-for-profit industry association, working with over 750 members in all facets of the music industry. Through its programs and services, Manitoba Music provides information, education and industry development opportunities to nurture, develop, and promote the growth and sustainability of the Manitoba music industry. Manitoba Music’s programs and services are made possible by the generous support of the Province of Manitoba, FACTOR through the financial support of the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters, Manitoba Film & Music, The SOCAN Foundation, and members of the music industry of Manitoba.

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