My Buffy Moment

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Lena Recollet

Well I have arrived back home safely in Wiky last night, with my Mother and my sister. I was so happy for my Mother, she was so proud. How often does something like this happen? It was a huge honour to open for Buffy St. Marie as part of imagineNATIVE’s 12th Anniversary. For a majority of the time I think I was in such shock that I didn’t even realise what was really happening or if I even believed it was happening. I’m not going to lie or try to pretend that I was cool, calm and collected the whole time. For the past few months I went through shock, excitement, fear, self doubt, inspiration and back to shock again. Did I enjoy it? Yes!

OH and I forgot to mention that I had sewn my own dress for the event!

So the time finally comes, it is October 21st, I am in Toronto, and I am about to meet Buffy St.Marie at 12pm for my mentorship with her.

There is Buffy smiling at me and Sean Conway and we sit down and talk for our mentorship. What was my first reacion? My first reaction was too take in every word she had to say to us. She taught us about touring, about how to take care of ourselves on the road, and how important sleep, diet and exercise are. She explained to us how to protect ourselves as artists, our instruments, our rights and the rights of our work. I told her my fears and she basically reassured me everything would be fine and told me about square breathing, a type of breathing that changes what’s going on in our bloodcells. Hold for 4 counts, Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4. She tells me also to remember the music and what I am expressing and why not to worry so much about the technical things. She reminded me about how natural this is, as it’s something our people have always done, how it’s a part of our way of life. After the mentorship we also got to have dinner with Buffy before her panel dissussion at imagineNATIVE. The whole time I forgot to ask for a picture or an autograph, she was so nice and had so much to share, that I didn’t even think of asking at the time.

So Friday I basically had a whole day to hang out with Buffy :) to hear her speak, to get a chance to ask her questions, and, how often does that happen? How many peope would love that opportunity? “How is it this happened to me?” is what I was thinking. Even though Buffy reassured me everything would be okay and taught me to sing from the heart, giving to the audience and that the message is more important than the technical things, I still had a lot of self doubt and nerves knowing that I’m not perfect and wanting to be perfect; a lesson in reflection on how important it is to put ego aside.

I am not ashamed to admit it all hit me before my soundcheck, and I cried. I went backstage to my greenroom and got comfortable, Deandra came to my dressing room and did my makeup for me. It was kinda funny because anyone who knows me, knows I talk alot and I was speechless. Dee noticed this right away and I told her I was nervous and in shock, but it was really comforting to have her there doing my makeup and hair.

I did my soundcheck and went back to my greenroom, closed the door and put the finishing touches on my dress, while listening to the instrumentals for my poems I was going to perform. I just kept running them over and over and over in my head. I think I had the most severe case of performance anxiety in my life. I wanted the audience to feel comfortable before Buffy came out, to feel important too. I think the dress I made was about that. I was thinking about the pride in our people in our pow wow dancers, I chose satin because that’s what we use in our regalia. I thought about Buffy and how she makes us proud to be native and how strong she is. And I went out there and even though I was still a bit nervous, I just kept focusing on the audience and connecting to them.

I felt at home, and hugely grateful, and remembered again why I am doing this. And when I went into the audience after my performance and watched Buffy perform I really felt nothing but grateful and honoured, and was embracing the moment. I was still learning as I watched and listened to her perform. Can I say I just had the most epic beautiful moment of my life? Wow! I am going to go for a one hour jog now instead of to the top of monument hill near Leland Bells art studio. I’m going to go past Lakeshore and jog to Buswah, and starting today, Im going to push myself just a little bit harder healthwise, focus-wise, creative-wise, everything and just remember what I learned from Buffy and keep that inspiration flowing. Wow!

www.lenarecollet.com/

Lena Recollet
Lena Recollet is a singer, spoken word artist and visual artist from Wikwemikong, Ontario. She has performed at The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, The Harmony Movement Awards for Jessica Yee, the Great Hall, APTN’s Rez Tunes and Planet Indigenous with Red Slam Collective from 2007 – 2010. Lena released her first solo EP in 2011 on National Aboriginal Day with performances at Dundas Square and Augusta House. She has also opened for Kinnie Starr and The Breaking Wind and Blue Diamond at “Living in the Six at Woodland Cultural Centre.”

Lena Recollet was an opening performer for Buffy Sainte-Marie at imagineNATIVE’s The Beat on Oct. 22, 2011 at The Phoenix Concert Theatre.  As an emerging artist, Lena had the opportunity to connect with Buffy Sainte-Marie for guidance and advice about the advancement of her career.

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People Get Ready….It’s Time!

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Jason

imagineNATIVE is Nigh!!!

As I write this I’m in my office and I’m told it’s Sunday, but really the entire three weeks leading up to the Festival are one huge great day. Past blends into present (“Was that really last week?”), dreams become reality (“What do you mean my unicorn isn’t parked behind the 401 building?”), and the future comes barrelling at you (“OMG, the Festival starts in a couple days!!!”).

But this is normal. This is Festival normal. And it’s really exciting. There’s been such a buzz about the office; new people, old friends, and the staff beavering about from the break of dawn until our eyes can’t stay open longer and our keyboards become blurry. Yes, it’s the time of year where we all forget we have family and friends (I LOVE YOU ALL – and I’ll call soon!). And for this short time of year, it’s all really worth it in the end. :)

There’s so much to look forward to at this imagineNATIVE. I feel like the Town Crier these days: “Get your BUFFY Tickets Now!” “Come to the Panels!” “Billy Merasty Hosts the Closing Night Awards!” etc. etc. etc.

All the interviews aside, the question I’ve been getting asked more than anything is “What’s good?” The beauty of imagineNATIVE is the diversity of works we present – there’s really something for everyone, from drama to comedy to documentary, in addition to our radio and media works. Besides, I can’t pick a favourite – it would be like my very own Sophie’s Choice. (Google it.)

I am really pleased with our Radio Art Commissions which will be presented alongside film and video works at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. I was absolutely blown away by our two exhibitions which are already running! And I really felt like the Festival began in a lot of ways when I picked up our three Khoi-San guests from South Africa on Thursday.

The Festival will come very quickly, and sadly it will also pass very quickly – five days goes by in a blink. If I had my own Genie (the imp, not the award, but I wouldn’t say no to that either) one of my wishes would be for each of you to see every programme we have at imagineNATIVE; each is so special and so amazing, because each is the vision, the voice and the creativity of an Indigenous artist from an Indigenous nation somewhere out there. (I’m so tempted to continue writing the lyrics to Somewhere Out There – I loved An American Tail.)

In many ways this is really my first Festival as Executive Director I’ve learnt so much in the past year. I’ve learnt how incredible Kerry, Sage, Violet, Daniel, Isidra, Rolla, Amy, Victoria, Eyan, and Jessica truly are. They give SO MUCH to iN and I thank them and love them for that. Same with Marcia, Denise, Steve, Eileen, Charlotte, Kathleen, Connie, Andre and the fabulous Ms. Maurice – having been on the board side for years, I know how much iN can seem like a second job, and as volunteers, I want you all to know your time is so valued by us and your guidance is a source of strength.

OK OK, I’ll dry my eyes.

Oh! I’ve joined Twitter. I’m now a Tweep (or do I have Tweeps?). Still trying to figure out the hash tag thingie. #feelingold. So please, join me in the Twitterverse during the Festival. You can find digital me at @jasonryle. And of course, be sure sure to follow iN at (do I need this “at”?) @imagineNATIVE.  Th@’s th@.

Should get back to work… Just want to give a final thanks and universal praise to three groups of people who make the imagineNATIVEverse possible: the super duper iN Volunteer Crew, our generous and supportive funders, and our community. We do this Festival for you and your continued support as we grow means so much. Remember: You are a part of imagineNATIVE!

That’s all for now. I’ll see you at imagineNATIVE!

Jase.

 

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Fitting Together

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Isidra

As the leaves change and whirl around me, so does everyone in the office. This is my first year with the festival in an office position and it has been quite the learning curve.

We are one week away from festival and all the pieces are coming together. It has been interesting to see how everyone has different busy times. July and August are crazy for Daniel as he gets the programming team together regularly to review submissions and then corresponds with all the artists. Kerry is really busy pre-August as she gets all the funding and sponsors in place well before the festival. Sage hits madness when programming is locked in August and until the catalogue heads to print in September. Violet seems to be hitting her stride by the time October hits with preparations for the mediatheque library while still offering loads of support to the rest of us. Jason always seems to be pulling the 10-12 hour days as he leads us through the maze of madness. And me, right now I seem to be living at the office and when I am away from it I am still thinking about what needs to be done as soon as I arrive the next day. In the last month we have had Amy (Volunteer Manager), Victoria (Front of House Manager) and Rolla (Print Traffic Coordinator) join the team. Even though we all have our busy periods, where we are the last to leave and first to arrive, right now we are all putting in 110% and working as a team to bring you the magic of the festival.

We had our last pre-festival board meeting last night and it was such a pleasure to see the board and know that they are there as support during the festival. I don’t usually attend the meetings so it is easy for me to forget about their backing but they are there for us during the festival picking people up at the airport, escorting special guests and sponsors at opening, closing and throughout the Festival, moderating Q&A’s and intro’s, attending and helping at special events and they still manage to catch a film or two.

These are all the lovely people that make imagineNATIVE one of the premier Indigenous Film Festivals around. We are puzzle pieces that come together to make a bigger picture and something worth looking at. Without one of us the picture is incomplete.

So don’t miss the beautiful picture we have made for you this year. Some must see events for me this year are The Beat featuring Buffy Sainte-Marie on October 22 doors at 7pm, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Mesnak by Yves Sioui Durand on October 20 at 9:30pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox and a personal favourite of mine since I had the pleasure of seeing it at TIFF 2009, Bran Nue Dae by Rachel Perkins on October 22 at 7pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox.

I’ll see you all soon and don’t forget to come and say hi at the Guest Services table located in the lobby of TIFF Bell Lightbox next to the box office.

Cheers
Isidra
Isidra Cruz is a Mexican, Cree, French and African American arts administrator, visual artist and costume designer. She is a graduate of Ryerson University’s Theatre Production program where she received her BFA (H), specializing in theatre administration and costume design and construction. Presently she is working on her installation, Whitewash and saying goodbye to Cake by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard as it heads off to Uganda in September for which Isidra did the set and costume design. Isidra is currently pleased to be working for imagineNATIVE as the Guest Service Coordinator.

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A Few Final Notes Before iN2011

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Jessica

You know that person who always has a million things on the go, and never seems to sleep and you have to make plans with them 3 weeks in advance because they are just that stupid-busy? That’s me. I’m crazy. Nice to meet you!

In my usual day-to-day existence I “balance” a lot of activities and commitments, mostly because I can’t stand the thought of giving up something that I want to do – and it seems I want to do everything – but also because a small part of me still believes my grandfather’s expression makes more sense than relaxing – “you’ll sleep when you’re dead.”

Now, keeping in mind that I am used to going a million miles an hour, September was insane! At work, we were running around like lunatics. For me, that looked like loads of outreach activities and presentations, collecting items for delegate bags, tracking vouchers and invitations for films, figuring out transportation to and from Tyendinaga, Wasauksing and Six Nations so peeps can come to the Welcome Gathering and On the Ice (email me to book your spot on the shuttle bus!), promoting travel packages, triple checking the catalogue and fretting over potential missed typos and other small errors caught only moments after the ink dried… it was a mad house in here and I thank dogs I work with the best people in the world, because without this amazing team, I would have crumbled under the pressure of Festival count-down month.

Unfortunately for me, September wasn’t just busy at work. Outside of imagineNATIVE, I spent the month stressing over whether or not I would find an apartment… my looming move-out date approaching like a jungle cat stalking a fawn at the river’s edge. I would wake in the night, unsure if my nightmares of living in a dark, leaky basement closet were premonitions or simply my fears balled up into a cartoon of misfortune. Aside from the impending homelessness, my pet rabbit, Bill Cosby, ended up with a nasty eye infection, leading to a costly visit to the vet and I also lost my passport, birth certificate and mind – all of which you need to apply for a new passport, I found out. If you recently witnessed a young woman stub her toe on the Spadina streetcar and break down in tears – that was me. I didn’t sprain my toe, I just had to give in to it for a second. Like a kid who has stayed up three nights in a row but refuses to go to bed early, I was beyond exhausted but continued adding items to my growing list. And then I came up with a solution to everything… I invented a happy place…. Just like Happy Gilmour did in that movie, the title of which I can never remember.

Now, when I find myself spinning a web of “what-ifs”, I take a deep breath, close my eyes and journey to my special land – a land where unicorns and ponies have afternoon tea on cupcake chairs and clouds made of cotton candy. A magical place where every time you think of a song you like, but can’t remember exactly how it goes, an iridescent bubble appears before you, followed by a VW van packed with the coolest musicians from the 60s and 70’s, doing the BEST cover of said song you’ve ever heard.  My special imaginary place includes draped velvet, waterfalls, peacocks and hammocks, and the second you start craving Korean BBQ/Swiss Chalet/ Skor bars/bubble gum/Mom’s homemade lemon poppy seed MUFFINS your dish appears before you on a silver tray held by Johnny Depp in the most European of bathing suits… it’s a wonderful place… My magical “Happy Land” and it saved me from mental collapse.

So now you know my trick. If you stumble upon me at the Festival with a look of peace and serenity on my face, you’ll know where I am and you should consider it an open invitation to join me – there’s tons of milkshakes and foot massages for all of us! Just stay away from the garden gnomes, they prefer to make the first move.

See you at imagineNATIVE! Don’t forget to come say hello!!

Xoxo

Jess

P.s. On top of the happy place, I found an apartment, dropped a time-consuming project, took a night off from comedy, had a friend make me dinner, skipped a class and called my brother – sometimes a break is what we actually need and I have started to think it’s OK to sleep before you die.

Jessica Lea Fleming is of French, Scottish and Wendat descent and grew up on the shores of Georgian Bay, causing acceptable levels of trouble throughout her youth. She has been working in film, television, theatre and communications for several years both locally and globally as a writer, performer and administrator. As the imagineNATIVE Outreach Coordinator, Jessica works on the annual tour, outreach and community relations, visitor services, tourism as well as advertising.

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23 Days until imagineNATIVE!!

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Marcia

You would never know it when you look at these staff photos, but the festival is only 23 days away!!! It is crunch time – the time when everyone feels overworked and underpaid – but the staff at imagineNATIVE remains upbeat…and well just downright silly at times.

imagineNATIVE Class of 2011 Clockwise from far left: Isidra Cruz (Guest Services Coordinator), Kerry Potts (Director of Development), Jason Ryle (Executive Director), Daniel Northway-Frank (Programming + Industry Manager), Sage Paul (Events + Communications Director), Rolla Tahir (Print Traffic Coordinator), Jessica Fleming (Outreach Coordinator), Violet Chum (Administrative Assistant).

I think what blows me away the most about our staff is not how hard they work. Anyone who comes to the festival knows how hard the iN staff work to pull off the amazing 5 fun-filled days of film, music, art, networking and professional development. No, what really blows me away is how innovative our staff continues to be. They are always finding new ways to ensure that our community is engaged, that our filmmakers are happy and that you, our audience, are thoroughly entertained. And you would never know it when you look at these staff photos, but our staff is the best in the biz…no really, they are!!! (You can see all staff here)

And all this under the amazing leadership of our Executive Director, Jason Ryle. I am sure that many of you know Jason as he has been a part of imagineNATIVE for well over 10 years. Among many other things, in his first year as ED Jason has managed to get us a program on Air Canada, manage the transition to our new venue at the TIFF Bell Light Box, and garner a new relationship with Khoi-San people of South Africa, culminating in an international youth exchange. Jason is taking imagineNATIVE in an exciting new direction and I know that I speak for the staff and the Board of Directors when I thank him for his never-ending energy and indelible dedication.

The catalogue was sent to print last week – which is a huge Festival milestone! This year was my first as a programmer. The easiest part is obviously watching all the wonderful films from Indigenous people around the world and learning about their cultures and ways of storytelling. The hard part (of course) is narrowing those films down.  On that note, my “pick of the week,” my “must see,” my “film to watch for” is Director Yves Sioui Durand’s MESNAK. It is an identity tale like no other I have seen, wherein Shakespeare’s Hamlet unfolds Rez style. Check it out.

Don’t forget to join me on opening night as I lead the Q&A for Andrew Okpeaha  MacLean’s ON THE ICE.  Andrew’s film has received much deserved attention at festivals around the world, including Best First Feature prize at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival, and we are thrilled to have the Canadian premiere.

Until then, visit the S-O-S3 (signals of survival) group exhibition which opened on September 24th and be sure to check out our full 2011 Program which is now online! Your Festival planning begins here! I can’t wait to see you all at the Festival! (23 days from now…don’t forget…October 19th…23 DAYS!!!!!)

Marcia has been on the imagineNATIVE Executive since 2004, first as the Treasurer, and since 2010 as the Chair of the Board. Marcia is an independent consultant who brings a very broad perspective and inter-disciplinary expertise to Aboriginal affairs, having worked in all regions of the country and with many different stakeholders, including many Aboriginal groups and organizations and departments within the federal and provincial governments.

 

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Co-presentation with Cinéfest (Sudbury) – Sept 23

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Sage

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival in partnership with imagineNATIVE presents ANIMATED + ABORIGINAL program and panel!

The Visit by Lisa Jackson

The Visit by Lisa Jackson

Friday Sept 23, 3:00pm @ SilverCity Sudbury, 355 Barrydowne Road, Greater Sudbury, ON

ANIMATED + ABORIGINAL: INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING THROUGH ANIMATION 

Presented in partnership with the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, this program will consist of eight short animated films, followed by a panel discussion featuring Terril Calder (Director of Canned Meat/Immobilized), who specializes in stop-motion animation, and imagineNATIVE programmer, Michelle Latimer, whose animated film Choke won an honourable mention at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

For complete details on the program, visit: http://cinefest.slated.com

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Programming update and a Pass Giveaway Contest!

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Sage

As I write this blog, my to-do list grows… it seems to have become a beast of its own, fending for itself, ensuring that it is always fat and full and demanding my attention. But it’s a good beast, kind of like a Wild Thing, that makes me super excited for all that is to come!

It’s taken me two hours to write those two sentences! Flipping back and forth between website, ticketing, passes, catalogue, advertisements, eating, talent riders, phone calls, merchandising, and so on, and so on.  Wow… there just isn’t enough hours in the day.

But, you might be asking, When will I see all the 2011 Festival programming in all its glory? Monday September 26 is your answer! But there are a few things I wanted to share before you get to see the full program, which is jam-packed with the works of fantastic Indigenous artists from around the globe.

Buffy in performance. Photo by Tim Wiest

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE

Tickets are now on sale to see Buffy Sainte-Marie headline The Beat on Saturday, October 22(doors open at 7pm) with guests Lena Recollet and Sean Conway – BUY YOURS NOW, HERE.  Personally, I think Buffy is a goddess and am very excited to get to see her play and a little nervous about meeting her (ok, very nervous).  I’m not sure how Lena or Sean are feeling, but I’m sure they’re equally as excited and nervous to not only be opening the show for her (and for you!), but to also be participating in a one-day mentorship with her where they will have the opportunity to learn a few things about the show-biz and performing live (which we are very thankful to have as a part of our music component with the support of Slaight Music).

I am all about sharing the love and I really wanted to share this excitement with some of her adoring fans, so we at imagineNATIVE thought that a Meet and Greet before her In Discussion Panel on October 21 (which is at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, 7PM, Cinema 2) would be fun!  Details on that will be made available soon in the few weeks left until the Festival.

A TRIBE CALLED RED

If you haven’t heard of A Tribe Called Red yet, where have you been?! I recently had the time of my life at their first show in Toronto at the Drake Underground.  I danced my little heart out like it was going out of style… Hearing powwow and dubstep together made me feel like I was a part of the future, where urban meets tradish – they truly are the creators of something new and buzzing.

A Tribe Called Red, Electric Fields 2010 (Paul Galipeau/Artengine.ca)

A Tribe Called Red is a DJ collective.  Bear Witness is the founder, a member, and a friend of mine. I’ve always known him as a wicked DJ and artist (his amazing experimental videos have played at iN over the years) – I still have an awesome mix CD from ’06 he made that I still listen to and love, so it’s pretty amazing to see how he’s making so many people move these days.  The other two members of the group are DJ NDN and DJ Shub, who I’ve yet to meet fer realz but am excited to!

A Tribe Called Red will be performing at imagineNATIVE, at our opening night party on October 19, 9PM ($8 or FREE with a festival pass/ticket stub) at The Century Room, and they are presenting, for the first time in Toronto, their complete multi-media performance!  (Their previous gig in August and their upcoming gig on September 30 only feature their DJ set.) Bear Witness reclaims stereotypical video footage of North American Indians from Wild West movies, old-school cartoons and other pop culture icons by mixing them live to the beats to create an energy like nothing else I’ve experienced. Video projections mixed with Pow Wow Step bring you the complete fist-pumping, grass-dancing Electric Pow Wow experience and is definitely not to be missed! If you’ve seen them play before, you’re definitely going to want to be there for their full multi-media experience.

WELCOME GATHERING    

This year I wanted our welcome reception to be BIG! It’s always been a fun, community-centric welcome event, but the board at imagineNATIVE reminded me that it’s supposed to be a reception, not a spectator event (which it generally has been).  And then I reminded myself that we (the native community) don’t really do receptions, we do gatherings!  Where we come to sing, dance, eat, share, and talk – while still officially opening imagineNATIVE 2011 with some welcoming remarks.  With that in mind I met with some dudettes at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto to start talking about making this “BIG” gathering happen.

For the first time ever, there will be vendors at the welcome reception where you can see and buy arts and crafts from local Indigenous artists and designers.  I’m super excited about this because I LOVE to see what is being created, especially the intricate beadwork and new designs that are coming along with it. If you’re interested in getting a vendor’s table, contact me ASAP because there are a limited number of tables.

Also, there will be drumming and singing ALL day (12-5PM, to be exact) with lots of intertribal.  If you don’t know what intertribal is, it’s when everyone can get up and dance, whether or not you’re a traditional dancer.  This is my favourite because I haven’t danced with a shawl since I was 13, so this is my chance to move with the beat of the drum at full force (or gently on the outskirts).  It’s especially true now that the Skydome Pow Wow has moved to Hamilton and since I am an urbanite-homebody that rarely leaves the city to travel to other powwows to dance beside those beautiful jingle dress dancers and hot grass dancers.

Tribal Vision, photo from their blog at http://www.tribalvisiondance.com

We’ve also invited Tribal Vision to be a part of our Welcome Gathering, which is a family of award-winning dancers from Six Nations, and they can show you the dancing ropes before you jump in; they are all so talented, vibrant and warm, and I’m sure you will be impressed when you come see them perform.  We are also inviting a few other traditional performers, including one international guest from South Africa (!), so I hope you can come be a part of it.

There will also be some om-nom-nom food at the gathering, so you can fill up before heading down to the TIFF Bell Lightbox on one of our shuttles to see the Opening Gala screening of On the Ice.

WIN A PAIR OF ALL-ACCESS PASSES

As my blog reaches its third Word page, I will close here.  My wish for this year’s fest is to show all the artists how much we love and appreciate them by being at all of their shows!  So, to get the ball rolling I’ve decided to do some ticket and pass giveaways.  I will start here by giving away a pair of All-Access Festival Passes, which grant access to all Festival activities – including The Beat with Buffy Sainte-Marie! To win these passes, I am asking you to leave a comment here about which is your favourite – traditional powwow or electric powwow beats (it’s a tough decision, so tell me why)!? The winner of this contest will be randomly selected and posted on September 27 in next Tuesday’s blog entry.

Leading up to the Festival there will be one or two more pass giveaways and numerous ticket giveaways on our Twitter and Facebook, so follow us if you’re interested.

As I duck my head back into my desk that has now become my second home, this is Sage, peace out!

Sage Paul is the Events and Communications Director at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, where she has worked since 2004 and now oversees the creation of the yearly campaign; the outreach, marketing and publicity strategies; online and digital initiatives; outreach activities including the annual tour and indigiFLIX screening series; and produces all of the events at the annual festival. Sage is from Toronto and is a member of the English River First Nation.

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Festival is near!

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Violet

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is 5 ½ weeks away! So many things to do, so little time. My job is to help all my co-workers complete and meet deadlines for whatever projects or tasks that need my assistance. That, and keeping on schedule with my regular duties such as creating the bi-weekly e-bulletins and special announcements, maintaining the office, answering and handling calls and mail/deliveries, working on our annual mediatheque catalogue, massaging temples and shoulders, rubbing feet, and more. I must be doing something right because this past month my co-workers caught me off guard and surprised me with a yummy, delicious lemon cake for my birthday!

Seriously though, I hope you all have taken advantage of our Festival Travel Packages this year. Also, NOW is the time to purchase tickets to see Buffy Sainte-Marie, who is headlining our music night The Beat on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. And don’t forget to put in your submissions for Doc & Drama Pitch and TV Submissions,  both are DUE this FRIDAY, SEPT. 16th.

Lately during non-working hours, I have been relaxing and taking in the stargazing of TIFF. Check out my photos!

Edge and Bono at TIFF Opening Night

Gerard Butler

Jennifer Garner

Madonna

Viggo Mortensen

Ashley Greene

Moving onward, from one great festival (TIFF) to another in October (imagineNATIVE).

I am definitely looking forward to this year’s imagineNATIVE! A whole new venue and mediatheque library space (which is now located above ground-level at TIFF Bell Lightbox)! No more lugging major heavy equipment to the mediatheque room, since everything is already in place. My back is so relieved…whew! I ain’t getting any younger.

You may or may not see me at this year’s festival, as I tend to work hard behind a glittery green curtain. And if you do see me, I am the streak of movement in the air passing by, like the Tasmanian Devil running last minute errands, trying to do my best in making the festival enjoyable for everyone! If you do see me taking a quick break though, come and chat!

Chum (over and out)

Violet Chum is the Administrative Assistant at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. She assists all of her co-workers with various projects and daily activities in preparation for the festival. Violet is a Moose Cree First Nation member from Moose Factory Island in northern Ontario. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Ontario College of Art & Design University and a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Learning from Lakehead University. She has volunteered her time and worked part-time at imagineNATIVE prior to becoming a full-time employee. Violet is also a visual artist and has created a number of works in figurative, portraiture and landscape painting and drawing, of which her works were exhibited at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Ontario College of Art & Design University’s Professional Gallery and Graduate Exhibition, Gallery CC, and an up-coming exhibition in October 2011.

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imagineNATIVE on Air Canada

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Sage

imagineNATIVE’s shorts program is now playing on Air Canada.  Check out these shots that were snapped by Shi-shi-etko‘s writer and producer, Marilyn Thomas during her flight!

imagineNATIVE program page

 

Shi-shi-etko, Producer: Marilyn Thomas (Saulteaux/Cree)

 

Savage, Director: Lisa Jackson (Anishnaabe)

If you’re travelling Air Canada anytime until the end of October, be sure to check out the full program during your flight!

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As The Seasons Change

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Isidra

With school starting and the seasons changing I’m reminded of the fear and anticipation of the first day of school; walking into a room, wondering what everyone would think of me. Lucky for me when I walked into the imagineNATIVE office for my first day of work, lunch in hand and the new kid smell emanating from my pores, I was welcomed with open arms and big smiles.

I am the new Guest Services Coordinator at imagineNATIVE. Sometimes I think it’s strange to be working here as I started off as a volunteer 5 years ago but if you work hard and care about an organization you can become part of that place. It’s what I tell all volunteers as this is my third professional job that I’ve gotten where I started as a volunteer. Patience is also very important to have when you want anything and the courage to purse it.

I follow in the footsteps of a very talented individual who shared her wisdom with me and has offered her continued support while I learn the job. What is it I do you might be wondering? I am responsible for the care of all our delegates, including artists. For visiting artists I book all their travel and accommodation, airport pick-ups, visas (for those coming from countries that require one), and for answering all their general questions regarding the Festival and Toronto; I am the artists’ point of contact for their Festival needs. My job is a lot of logistics, which I’ve always found to be fun. I was the kid in school who enjoyed math and physics.

This year we have a new home at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. It is going to be a very different Festival experience as we wade into the future – but don’t worry, a lot of familiar faces (and some new) will be there to greet you. We also have a new hotel sponsor who has been very accommodating; The Hilton Garden Inn Suites is offering our Festival visitors a sweet deal of $169/night but book it fast as it’s only offered until September 18. The enthusiastic team at Super 8 is joining us again and for only $93/night you can be part of the fun. To book either hotel just quote “imagineNATIVE” as the code. However, if you want the full Festival experience – and our exclusive Hilton rate – check out our inaugural tourism packages.

I am grateful everyday for the people I’ve known and the places I’ve been. I’m especially appreciative to the employers I’ve had as they have taught me some of the most important lessons of my adulthood and shown me unwavering generosity.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Festival, please stop by and see me at the Guest Services table, which will be in the lobby of the Lightbox.

Cheers
Isidra

Isidra Cruz is a Mexican, Cree, French and African American arts administrator, visual artist and costume designer. She is a graduate of Ryerson University’s Theatre Production program where she received her BFA (H), specializing in theatre administration and costume design and construction. Presently she is working on her installation, Whitewash and saying goodbye to Cake by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard as it heads off to Uganda in September for which Isidra did the set and costume design. Isidra is currently pleased to be working for imagineNATIVE as the Guest Service Coordinator.

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