April 17, July 21-22, and October 19, 2009
Red Sky's exciting pilot project, the Deep Waters Project, kick started a revitalization of professional arts development in Temagami. Working with the Temagami Artistic Collective, Red Sky's performance of Raven Stole the Sun was the first of four events happening in the Temagami area that generated a ripple of excitement throughout the community.
The Deep Water Project included: (1) two performances of Raven Stole the Sun on April 17, 2009 at the Municipality of Temagami and the Temagami Public School; (2) on October 19, 2009, there was a performance for children at the Laura McKenzie Learning Centre on the Bear Island Reserve on Lake Temagami; (3) a Deep Waters music concert on July 22, 2009 at the Temagami Arena featuring music sensation Shane Yellowbird, and (4) a Music Career Strategies and Voice Workshop for 16 participants on June 21st at the Dream Keepers Café. This event brought together Elders, traditional drummers, musicians, singers, storytellers, theatre and dance artists who are intimately connected to northern landscape and its immense beauty.
Aboriginal artistic talents included singers/musicians The Eight Thunderbirds led by Jamie Saville, and featured eight young men from the ages 21 to 33 from the Bear Island Reserve and Notre Dame du Nord in Temiskaming; the Deep Water Band led by David Laronde featured performers from Temagami, Cobalt, and New Liskeard, and special guest singer Shane Yellowbird from Hobbema, Alberta was featured with two non-Aboriginal Toronto musicians Glenn Baker and Owen Ehgoetz. A post-concert bonfire was held and an informal jam session ensued with community and artists.
The audiences were from Temagami, Bear Island, North Bay, Latchford, Cobalt, Haileybury, New Liskeard Notre Dame du Nord and as far as Mississauga. It included a mix of local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents, Canadian and American cottagers, educators, and tourists. Audiences were very enthusiastic and community dialogues on art, culture, the north and Aboriginal culture, followed many of the programming activities.
Temagami, Ontario