The First Peoples' Festival has been presented in Montreal since 1991. It is organized by Land inSights to promote cultural
exchanges between aboriginal and non-aboriginals. On March 1999, we contacted Mr. Michel , artistic director. We explained
our project and he invited us. This is how we became ambassadors of the Cree Nation.
In 2002, Elijah was interview by Mr. Abel Rabitskin from
CBC North. The document was broadcast on
Maamuitaau. Click HERE and watch it on Youtube.
To commemorate the new millennium, we produced a ceramic
monument in honour of our Cree Leaders. The monument was
presented at the 2001 festival.
In 2003, thanks to "Culture et Communication Québec" , we
invited Master Potter Benoit D'Aigle to join us. He gave a
workshop on the electric wheel.
We went to the festival for the first time in 1999. Elijah
Sheshamush was there. He has been a participant every year
and graduate in 2003.
Five sec.1 girls came to the festival. Left to right: VeraLynn
George, Candice Sheshamush, Angela Petagumskum, Katlin
Kawapit and Seanna Gilpin. In the back, our dear care taker,
Mrs Nancy Sheshamush.
The boys did a great job. Left to right: Conway Kawapit, Robert
Kawapit, Bobby Petagumskum and Edwin Natachequan. But
where Edwin?
We arrived in Montreal on Wednesday June 16
after a three hours flight, thank to our sponsor, Air
Inuit.
There' s Edwin, on the left. This year, Robert made the
first sale. Ms Helen Moore, sec.1 homeroom teacher,
helped him with the receipt.
First Peoples Festival