OSUM Aboriginal Day for Women Entrepreneurs

Some of you may remember last October when I went to Calgary (for my first time) to speak at the Osum Day for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs. It was such a wonderful trip that it even made my Top 11 (moments) of 2011 post earlier this year. 

The video by Aboriginal photographer Candace Ward was just released a few days ago so I thought it was a great time to share this short clip of the event. The other people that presented that day include: Cathrine Ann, Susan Aglukark, Dianne Buchner, Dr. Alex Bruton, and Christi Millar.

 

Take a quick look at it, and get ready ... soon there will be a whole new set of videos that I did with Osum Oil Sands Inc. that I *cannot* wait to share with you. They are informative, engaging, and exactly what I was looking for one year ago today. Don't worry, I'll share it with you as soon as it's live.

 

   

Windsor (Why) Not?

Big ups to Hiro Chavez for creating this poster!

I am getting super excited for this event coming up this weekend. The University of Windsor - Aboriginal Education Centre has partnered with St. Clair College - First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Centre to bring you one whole weekend of #NativeAwesome - A Gathering of Stories. Author Joseph Boyden will be there for the keynote followed by A Tribe Called Red. Now you know I am a big supporter of both the author and the DJ group, so of course I am going to make it into a Windsor road trip!!

Here's the low down ...

Friday, March 16, 2012

5:00 PM Introductions and Welcoming

Maxine Nahdee St. Clair College (First Nation/Aboriginal Education Counselor)

L.C. Introduction – Jo Cross (Lady of Ceremonies)

Opening Prayer – Mona Stonefish (Community Elder)  

Welcome Address by St. Clair College and University of Windsor Representatives:

- John Fairley (VP College and Community Relations)

- Dr. Alan Wildeman (President of Windsor University)

5:15 PM Buffet Dinner

Welcome Address by St. Clair College and Windsor University Student Reps:

Beth Ann Cook (St. Clair College Student Rep)

Virgil Nahdee II (Windsor University Student Rep)

5:20 PM Hand Drum Presentation - Theresa Sims

6:00 PM Native Drum /Introductions and Demonstration

- Windsor Drum

- AazhwaaKwaa (Walpole Island)

- Eagle Flight Drum

- Whiteye Singers

- NAAHII

Drum and Dancing

8:50 PM Closing Remarks

Saturday, March 16, 2012

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Storytelling Presentations

Ga-wiijiiwaanaa Nenboozhoo: Walking and Talking with Nanabush - Alan Corbiere

The First Strawberry - Jo Cross & Lil Performers

Stories behind the Songs - Theresa Sims

Youth Panel - Goal Setting - Mary Spencer, Marija Bryne, Alissa Murphy

12:15 - 1:15 PM Lunch

1:15 - 3:15 PM Storytelling Presentations

Ga-wiijiiwaanaa Nenboozhoo: Walking and Talking with Nanabush - Alan Corbiere

The First Strawberry - Jo Cross & Lil Performers

Stories behind the Songs - Theresa Sims

Youth Panel - Goal Setting - Mary Spencer, Marija Bryne, Alissa Murphy

3:00 - 5:00 PM Drum Social

***5:00 PM Keynote Address - Joseph Boyden

***7:00 - 8:30 PM Evening Entertainment - DJ: A Tribe Called Red

With special guest dance performance by: Francis Sarazin & Andrea Dwyer

After seeing this line-up you can see why I am pretty amped to get there. Plus one of my besties Jarret Leaman will be hosting the event, so that makes it even more fun. Also Sarah Yankoo (guest blogger) will also be joining us so it will be a full on #NativeSocialite event up in Windsor. Wicked. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, or on my UNGS FB page for all the live deets!

N.B.

A Gathering of Stories FB Event Page

Lacrosse Lament

I've spent the past week out at 6 Nations teaching journalism workshops to some students at the Cayuga language school, I.L. Thomas. What I learned from these students is that they are serious about their lacrosse! We had a lot of discussions about Crooked Arrows and it's upcoming release, but I thought I should at least check out this film, A Warrior's Heart, and see what it's all about.

In shock and denial over his Marine father's death in battle, star Lacrosse player Conor Sullivan, always a maverick and a hothead, starts acting out in self-destructive ways that have his mom, Claire, at her wit's end. But arduous training in a wilderness Lacrosse camp under the tutelage of his dad's old combat buddy, Sgt. Major Duke Wayne, opens Conor's eyes to the true meaning of maturity, sportsmanship and manhood ... (synopsis from IMDb)  

Clearly it's a prep school take on lacrosse, and not focused on the Native roots of the game. Overall it's like a high school rom-com with a lacrosse twist. It was actually a pretty slow pace and not very engaging. What I did like about it was that Adam Beach was in it (Sgt. Major Duke Wayne) and the main character, Conor, was sent away to 6 Nations for bad behaviour. While on 6 Nations, he learned how to really play lacrosse and there was a team of Native guys playing (that Michelle Shining Elk cast), but I couldn't figure out who any of them where or find anything about them online. Best lines of the movie: "Chicks with sticks are so hot." Conor and "You call me crazy Indian one more time and I'll tattoo it on your forehead." Sgt. Major Duke Wayne.

Jerk It

Jamaican Jerk Mon.

Wicked video shot and edited by James Kinistino (Big Soul Productions).

Yesterday was a freezing cold day here in Toronto and as my tan starts to fade, I began to get reminiscent.  I got back just over one week ago from Montego Bay Jamaica. It's my second annual trip there with a great group of Native artists, and last year I wrote all about it for Indian Country.

I think that the music video that was created sums up the trip quite nicely. The group of 13 of us went and spent time at the villa, time at the beach(es), and some time dancing. Okay a lot of time dancing. I'm dancing at 2:04 but watch the whole video it is hilarious and beautifully shot (Thanks James). I am already counting the days down until next year where we can all do a rinse, repeat.

My role in the video.

Here is the list of the cast in order of appearance:

Chef:                                     Syreta (Nutmeg House Staff)
Dude with headphones:      Derek Miller
3 guys dancing:                   Carlington, Wilton, Nutmeg Staff Member
Gymnast:                             Jarret Leaman
Bikini dancer:                     Laura Milliken
Chip eating guy:                 Joey Stylez
Guitar man:                        Raven Kanatakta from Digging Roots (aka "Culture Man")
Driver:                                 Dave (Nutmeg House Staff)
Relaxed hot girl:                 Shoshona Kish from Digging Roots
2 housekeepers:                  Nutmeg House Staff
Guy smoking endo:            Stuart Pierre
Couple dancing:                 Glen Gould (aka "Glen Coco") and Zoe Leigh
"Jerk It" beach dancer:    Lisa Charleyboy (aka "Chuckie)

Guy with sunglasses:         James Kinistino

Zombie:                              Catherine Stefanizzi

P.S.   Bookish Nerd:                     Sarah Yankoo

Jare Bear and I in the water off the boat. We were hardcore tourists that day.

 

Negril Beach

 Riding that lion at Half Moon Luxury Resort.

 The best unison handstand Jare Bear and I could muster.

Lovely Big Soul team James & Laura.

The Jamaica Villa Crew right hurr.

Tablet Tease

Back in December I received a Samsung Galaxy tablet to play with for a few weeks. I was sold when I was told "it's purse size." A sexy new little toy that I only have a short test trial with? Game on.

For the past year, I've had an iPad from work. I never use this thing but I keep carrying it on with me on trips to see if I'd finely find it's purpose in my life. I even brought with me to Italy sans laptop and I just about broke down while I was out there without my MBP. The iPad started to feel like a neglected PC laptop or like my work BB that usually gets left at home while I go out to play.

Samsung helped fill my void. I didn't longer need to carry around the1.3 lb. iPad (made heavier by my book case for it). The Samsung Tab 8.9 LTE only weighs 453 grams and is 8.6 mm thin, so it slipped easily into my hobo bag that I travel with every day.

So as I made my 1.5 hour commute to work I found it to be the perfect way to make it less painful. Reading, Tweeting, and writing with ease. This is also the tablet I'd throw in my purse when headed out to do errands so that if writing inspiration comes (as it often does) while I'm out and about I can pop in a Starbucks and get the job done.

It was a little weird at first to move of the Mac interface that I'm so used to (iPhone/MacBook user here), but the benefits of the convenience packaging far outweighed that initial discomfort.

So now that I'll be sans work iPad I will be investigating more heavily into acquiring my very own Samsung, although next time I hope our relationship will last longer than two weeks.

3 AM Posts.

I've spent the last week almost offline. The first few days were totally forced as the internet was down at the villa I was staying at in Jamaica, but after I got used to living without it I was okay with not delving deep. While there were many moments where I felt the need to document and be online, I was happily (mildly) extricated from the situation.

All this time offline gave me some time to think and spend time reflecting and pondering life's direction. I have been stuck in a bit of a groundhog day and I felt the need to switch it up. And so I did just that. I have decided to leave my f/t job and move forward in a freelance direction. This has already made me feel full with joy. It is time to move out of the comfort zone and put my energy back fully into what fuels me. I have enjoyed my time at my past position learning, traveling, and doing my best to contribute to a greater good, but I have realized that my time has come to fly solo.

I tend to make decisions of great magnitude thinking very silently for a while and then one day just make the final gesture. The final gesture occurred while in Jamaica. It was a move supported by many close to me so it made the decision much easier and sans regret.

The direction that I am moving in now is very interesting as I have made myself a promise that I am only living life for myself and no one else. Which seems so entirely basic, but sometimes I feel that I make decisions to make other people happy and not completely fulfill myself or my own mandates. I keep trying to fit in molds that no longer fit me or never has. I am mold-free now.

So this means that I move forward in an entirely new way. I am excited for this venture as I truly believe that I am doing everything possible that I can to chase my dreams and never allow them to evade me. I will likely have many new adventures and likely an entire new existence to move forward into 2012 with.

Fashion Blog on CBC

If for some strange reason you are not following me on Twitter or Facebook, then you may not have noticed that I wrote a blog for CBC on Monday.

The post is all about cultural appropriation in fashion in relation to some of my findings while walking along Queen Street in Toronto. Please take a read for yourself and let me know exactly what you think about this post. Is it cultural appropriation or "just fashion?"These topics are endlessly fascinating to me, although my posts here song focus on it solely. If you'd like to read more on these topics, I encourage you to check out Native Appropriations.

The purpose is to further discussion around appropriation brought up by the Trailblazers radio show. This can be downloaded as a podcast for your listening pleasure ... I've already added it to my daily commute podcast list. It's a complement to all that #8thFireCBC dopeness that's happening right now. Tune in tonight at 9 PM to watch episode #2. I am going to be flashed on your TV screen during the show!

Hotel NC II: BHMW

yes my Photoshop skills are lacking

You may have caught the first Dating @ Hotel NC vlog, where my roommate, Jas, & I discussed PIPs versus POPs (Perfect in Person vs. Perfect on Paper). Well that vlog inspired another video, when someone brought up the notion of BHMW (Bring home to mom worthy). So we thought we'd explore that territory a little bit right here on this vlog. Oh and if you are wondering, no, not all of our videos will be on random acronyms. Enjoy!

N.B.
-PIPs versus Pops

Nat & Marie

Clip from the Nat & Marie UStream channel

Just before we started. Pretty ladies: Marie and Nat (in order).

Rob Sarj on the decks and Tanya on the interdecks

In case you missed it, I was LIVE on the Nat & Marie show on January 3rd. Yeah I know that was already almost two weeks ago now but it was the day after the show that I started eating gluten and my life went into hardcore slow-mo.

The outfit: Sweater from Lavish & Squalor, Mary Jane Hunter 

arrowhead necklace, Ksubi jeans, Manitobah Mukluks

oh hey there

 These ladies are all (MB) pro

Okay back to the show. I had a blast being in their studio. I was nervous as heck and should have done a couple shots had a 1/2 glass of champagne to ease my nerves, but alas I was stone cold. There studio was really cool and they had a great crew around. So amazing to see some Toronto girls making their dreams a reality and living their life by design. It inspires.

Geneva B was also on the show. She knows my friend Jeneka. omg small world.

Watch the clip above to to check out my snippet of the show. If you like what you see, these girls go live on UStream every Wednesday at 9 PM, and you don't need cable to tune in (that age old cable debate). So be sure to watch the clip and let me know what you think.

The wall of fame

All the smiley ladies

And we are done. Time to have a dance partee.

N.B.

Show: http://www.natandmarie.com [9 PM EST]

Twitter: @NatAndMarie #NatAndMarie

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Nat & Marie - "The only internet aftershow you need to see live! Interact with online culture every Wednesday night at 9pm EST at natandmarie.com."

A Trail(er) of Crooked Arrows

The official trailer for Crooked Arrows was just released as the film team was at the US Lacrosse convention. It looks great but I must admit, so far I was hoping for more locker room scenes ... I'll still be there in the theaters watching anyways though.

Best line: When did the Indians start playing lacrosse anyway?

Brightest new star to come on the scene.

Favourite scene of the entire trailer. Obvi.

N.B.

-Crooked Arrows on FB

-My past post on the flick