Metadata

Excerpted from the pamphlet for The Spirit of Turtle Island Festival:

“The Spirit of Turtle Island Festival is a celebration of the strength and power of Native Women.

In the creation story of many Native nations, woman was the first human being to inhabit the earth. This is a celebration of the strength and power of Native Women. This festival recognizes the spirit of this continent; that ‘‘woman’”’ is the Spirit of Turtle Island. Traditionally Native Women were the teachers and keepers of the culture, acknowledged leaders, and decision makers and were also respected for their strength and power. European colonization and exploitation resulted in the displacement of Native Women from their honoured position to that of, at best, second-class citizens. In spite of hundreds of years of attempted destruction, the Spirit of the Native people lives on. For as long as the Native woman has strength and power the Spirit of the Native people shall remain strong.

This is the foundation upon which this concert is based.

CHEYENE PROVERB: A nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Then it is done no matter how brave its warriors or how strong its weapons.”

The concert features Alanis Obomsawin, the Thunderbird Sisters, The Seacows, Peggy Johnston, Jane Peloquin, and Maria Campbell.

Maxine Noel created the painting which appeared on the poster.