Dancing7.1 mb | read transcript

Drum & Moccasin Making4.4 mb | read transcript

Medicine Gathering3.4 mb | read transcript

Guiding & Outfitting 7.7 mb | read transcript

The video begins with footage of traditional pow wow dancers. In the video there are girl fancy shawl dancers, girl jingle dancers, boy's grass dancers and boy's traditional dancers. The dancers belong to a dance group from Hinton, Alberta called Colors Dancing In. The group is aptly named with each dancers wearing colorful regalia or pow wow clothing. The group is dancing to pow wow music to which the dancers keep beat. The dancers were performing at the Hideaway Camp, which is located 35 km south of Grande Cache, Alberta.

The video changes to an interview with a young girl named Alex Ceaser.

My name is Alex Ceaser and I learned how to dance when I was about six or seven years old. I love it! I express many things when I dance. I express myself and I like to show people my culture. I first started dancing out in the bush. These are my dancing clothes. Some of the things on here represent who I am and the culture that I come from and my family.

The video returns to the pow wow dancers. A girl in a beautiful dress and purple shawl is dancing. When she sees the camera she smiles broadly and continues to dance and fancy shawl dance. She is joined by a smaller girl also performing the jingle dance.

A young boy in a men's grass dance regalia enters the picture and he is joined by a younger boy performing the same dance.

The video ends with the children and adults performing a round dance.

The video starts with a view of beaded moose hide moccasins and a moose hide purse.

The background music is local singers James Gang. The video is set at an Aseniwuche Winewak Nation wilderness camp which is being attended by a group of representatives from locally operating oil and gas companies and government officials. The wilderness camp is an opportunity for our community and elders to showcase and teach participants about our culture.

The video shows an industry representative learning how to make a traditional hand drum. Traditional drums are made using hide and stretched over wooden frames. He is outside on a picnic table with camp participants and community elders.

The men in the video are using sinew to attach their raw hide to the wooden drum frames.

A drum handle is added by wrapping strips of raw hide over two crossed pieces of raw hide stretched across the back of the drum.

David MacPhee, President of AWN is teaching how to make drumsticks by wrapping hide around the end of a willow stick. After the drum and drumstick are completed, it is optional to decorate the drum. The drum and drumstick are ready to be played.

The video moves to a local community elder working with traditional hand tanned moose hide to make into moccasins. Community elders bead the tops of the moccasins before the camps and participants get to choose the tops they want for their moccasins. The participant's feet are traced on paper and the foot print is then cut out and placed on the hide to determine how much is needed for their moccasins. Each pair is a custom fit. The moccasins are sewn together with sinew and Glover needles, specially made for sewing thick materials such as moose hide.

Participants gather their beaded moccasin tops, leather "footprints", needle, sinew and thimble and are instructed by elders on how to sew their moccasins together. It is a difficult task for someone who does not know how to sew and the thimbles save a lot of poked fingers. Community elders enjoy the opportunity to teach and often help participants finish their new shoes. Camp participants remark on the hand strength it requires to sew moose hide and are always amazed at how quick and accurate the elders stitching is.

The video begins with the camera filming a local elder gathering roots of a medicinal plant growing wild in the forest.

The background music is the James Gang drumming and singing in the traditional style.

Traditional knowledge of herbs and medicinal plants is passed on from generation to generation and is only a trade a few know.

The video shows an elder gathering a low growing plant.

The video then zooms in on roots of a plant that can be used to treat the common cold or help a heart condition.

To show respect for Mother Earth and follow traditional protocols, tobacco is placed as an offering or gift of thanks. Oftentimes the harvester of the medicine will pray and thank Creator for the gifts that are provided in the plants.

The elders tell us that only when the land is respected is the medicine useful.

The video shows the elder displaying roots from a medicinal plant.

Passing on the traditional knowledge of our people is very important to our elders. The video shows an elder teaching a community youth about plants and herbs. The youth is using modern technology, a digital camera, to preserve the knowledge.

The video ends by showing the elder and youth walking through the bush with the plants they have harvested.

The AWN traditional land use camps bring together industry and government with AWN members in a traditional backcountry camp. In this, our natural setting, we find it is easier to explain our concerns regarding development and its adverse impacts. Over the years, the camp has been held in rock Lake Provincial Park, Wilmore Wilderness Park, McDonald Flats, Hide-A-Way Camp (in partnership with the Town of Grande Cache), and Coulters Lease. The scenery is always breathtaking in the Rocky Mountain foothills.

We are able to share our values and relationship with the land; participants become truly aware of what traditional knowledge is. They see the expertise of thousands of years of living off the land, passed down from generation to generation, in the skill and knowledge of the traditional hosts. They see that traditional use of the land still prevails in our community in food, spirituality, clothing, medicine and lodging. Things that define our culture are shared: drumming, singing, hunting, camping, gathering, making traditional clothing and food, understanding weather patterns, identifying animal signs and historical sites, our language and our spirituality. All these define our relationship with the land and form our identity as a People. We are the Rocky Mountain People.

The background music is provided by the James Gang, a group of local aboriginal men who drum and sing traditional round dance songs. The songs and drumming style have been passed down for generations.

Participants at the camp are instructed by local Elders on how to make a traditional native hand drum. Since the camps are held during the summer months, participants are able to work out of doors on their drums.

Camp participants can also choose to make traditional native moccasins. AWN purchases beaded moccasin tops year round from community members in preparation of these summer moccasin making lessons. The moccasin tops are made of deer, elk or moose hide and are beaded in traditional patterns or designs of the Rocky Mountain People. Camp participants choosing to make moccasins choose a design they like, have their feet traced and elders cut the moose hide to make moccasins. The participants are instructed on how to sew the moccasins together to make a beautiful and durable pair of shoes. They are usually surprised at how difficult it is to sew a pair of moccasins after watching our Elders sew quickly and evenly! Many request thimbles after a few stitches. Sinew and Glover needles are used.

While participants are making their crafts, there is time to visit with Elders and learn more about our culture and history. Our elders enjoy sharing or "teaching" about our people and our traditions. They also enjoy a good joke!

Like any camp, food is an important part of the experience. Camp participants enjoy fresh made bannock and wild game meals prepared by community members.

There is time for participants to relax and enjoy their time out of the office. A variety of entertainment is provided ranging from traditional dancing and singing to visits to historical sites.

The AWN President always hosts a talking circle to discuss current issues facing the community and our progress.

Most camp participants leave with a deeper understanding of our people, our history, our challenges, our hopes and our dreams. This not only has lead to better working relationships but lifelong friendships spanning the entire province.