Wicked time in Waswanipi!

The Week of August 28 - 30, 2007

Site: Waswanipi, Quebec
Event: 8th Annual Business Conference and Awards Gala

What can I say, when I go back to Waswanipi it feels like I'm going home and rather than visiting friends, I am celebrating with family. I am treated like Swampy Gold when I'm there, I am bugged, teased and hounded....and I love it.

The conference was a little slow due to poor attendance on days 1 and 3, however, on the 2nd day; we had some students come in from the school which gave us some much needed bums in the seats.

The highlight, other than seeing my friends and family, was the gala on Wednesday night. I had the pleasure of Mcing the event, which was an absolute blast. It was a packed house, and the community responded very well to my sense of humour.

The Gala also featured the Business Awards. All of the people present, who all paid for the event, voted for all the winners. It surely made it more meaningful for all the winners because they the honour came from the community.

Here I am announcing the winner of the business of the year award.

The Youth Business Person of the Year was a no show, so I accepted the award on his behalf. I accepted it with no intensions of giving it to him; it took 38 of them to pry it away from the kung-fu grip.

Me and my dear friend Charlotte Ottereyes.

BLACKFIRE http://www.blackfire.net/

I was hoping to be highlight of the night, however, when Blackfire came on stage they blew everyone away. They kicked tamarack, with the unique ability to combine punk, culturally proud and environmentally aware lyrics. Blackfire is more than a band, they are cultural champions who walk the world with a humble yet heroic flare.

Here is the band performing with their fathey, Jones Benally. Jones is a 80 + year old traditional medicine man who honoured us with his singing as well with his incredible hoop dance ability. Sorry no pic of that, I was completely blown away by his performance.

Here Jenada is harmonizing with her father Jones.

Klee Benally, what a powerful voice.

Jenada, myself and my good friend Dave Mckenzie. Dave was one of the workshop facilitators, and is the program coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Inst for the Development of Minority Communities at the John Molson School of Business at Condordia University.

And then I rested. More like passed out.

The day after their great performance, Blackfire presented two workshops; Surviving Through Music and Protecting Mother Earth.

My good friend Jule-Ann Cooper.

My friend Alberta and his lovely wife. Albert travels all over the Cree Territory cooking traditional food.


Gitchi Meegwetch to Waswanipi for making my trip home memorable. See you all soon.