July, 2006 - Nr. 7
Ontario Minister of Culture to Open Métis Arts Festival
Caroline DiCocco Will Kick off Third Annual Celebration of Métis Music and Culture
TORONTO … Black Creek Pioneer Village and the Métis Artists’ Collective announced today that Ontario’s Minister of Culture, Caroline Di Cocco will officially open the third annual Métis Arts Festival, a celebration of Métis and Aboriginal music and art on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at Black Creek Pioneer Village. The opening ceremony will take place at 1:00 pm on the Event Pavilion Stage following the festival’s first performance by West Coast Métis performer, Sandy Scofield. Joining the minister for the Festival opening will be Tony Belcourt, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and Bernard Leroux, Vice President of the Métis Artists’ Collective.
Leading the list of native performers at this year’s event are Cree fiddling legend, James Cheechoo (76) of James Bay, and renowned Métis fiddler, Lawrence "Teddy Boy" Houle (78) of Ebb and Flow, Manitoba. Other performers will include The Métis Fiddler Quartet, a family ensemble; First Nation drumming and dance; Inuit throat singing; and a variety of workshops, demonstrations, and activities on three stages at Black Creek Pioneer Village.
"The Métis people occupy a unique place in Canada’s history, and we celebrate their contributions to Ontario society as a whole," said Caroline Di Cocco, Ontario Minister of Culture. "The Métis Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity for Canadians of all backgrounds to experience Métis and Aboriginal culture, and a highlight in the cultural life of this province."
The Métis Arts Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, 2006 at Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto (one block east of Jane St., south off Steeles Ave.)
Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and students, and $8 for
children 5-14. For more information call Black Creek Pioneer Village at
416-736-1733 or visit www.blackcreek.ca to see the full performance and
activity schedule.
About the Métis Artists’ Collective
The Métis Artists’ Collective encourages and facilitates
creative expression of Ontario’s Métis population in all aspects of
traditional and contemporary arts in French, English and Michif. It also
strives to educate the public by creating resources that schools and other
public institutions can access to enhance their awareness of Métis history,
arts and culture. The Métis Artists’ Collective is based in Toronto but
spans the entire province of Ontario.
For more information visit
www.metisartsfestival.com or e-mail
bleroux@persona.ca.
About Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village is Toronto’s premier outdoor
living history museum. Visitors can explore 40 heritage homes, shops and
buildings restored to re-create an 1860s Ontario village. Historic
interpreters in period dress demonstrate how villagers lived, worked and
played. The Village hosts learning programs and special events that
highlight local heritage and culture. The tranquil setting, rural
landscapes, heritage gardens and period farm animal breeds make Black Creek
Pioneer Village the perfect place to break out of the modern world and
journey into the past. Located in north Toronto, Black Creek Pioneer Village
is owned and operated by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA).
For more information please visit
www.blackcreek.ca.
