John Kim Bell keynote speaker for first Blackfoot Aboriginal Awards June 21

Jun 11, 2008, 04:13

The first Blackfoot Art Awards will be launched in Lethbridge June 21 with an impressive array of guests and an internationally-renowned guest speaker.

John Kim Bell, one of the most decorated aboriginal people in Canada, is keynote speaker for the event, which will be held at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Convention Centre.The Lethbridge Aboriginal Festival Society is the engine driving this event, which organizers hope will become an annual event. The LAFS strives to create a unique environment in which community members of all ages, abilities and experience can feel free to imagine, create and welcome the arts into their lives. The society provides a professional work environment that’s challenging, rewarding, creative and respectful of ideas and individuals.

It was formed to increase an awareness of contemporary aboriginal art and artists by creating an audience for aboriginal arts. The society has plans to launch a multi-disciplinary arts festival featuring visual artists, storytelling, music and dance and other forms of art.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this year’s National Aboriginal Day than the launching of the Blackfoot Art Awards,” said society president Rob First Charger.

“Addressing the real need to formally recognize our Blackfoot artists has been long overdue, for these talented individuals strive for creative excellence. They are a source of inspiration that brings pride to our Blackfoot people.”

The evening will be dedicated to honouring Joane Cardinal-Schubert, Kainai visual artist; Olivia Tail Feathers, Kainai musician; Woody Kipp, Blackfeet writer; Cowboy Smith, Piikani performance artist; Delia Cross Child, Piikani visual artist; Amber Dawn Bear Robe, Siksika visual artist; and Maggie Black Kettle, Siksika traditional dancer.

MC for the Art Awards will be Wilton Good Striker from the Blood Tribe. Presenters will be Miss Blackfoot Canada, Junior Miss Blackfoot Canada and the Blackfoot Ambassadors. The Red Star Women and Whirlwind Warriors are the featured entertainers.

Bell was born on the Kahnawake Mohawk Reserve on the south shore of Montreal and began playing the piano on television at age 10. He began conducting on Broadway in New York at age 18 for stars like Gene Kelly, Vincent Price, Sonny Bono and Lauren Bacall. He toured as a conductor for the Bee Gees and Redd Foxx, among others, and was appointed apprentice conductor of the Toronto Symphony in 1980, which made him the first person of aboriginal heritage to become a symphonic conductor.

He’s conducted most orchestras in Canada and some in the U.S. including the Royal Philharmonic. He has composed music for film and television including PBS’s the “Trial of Standing Bear” and CTV’s “Divided Loyalties,” which at the time was the most expensive made-for-TV movie in Canada. Bell is the founder of the Canadian Native Arts Foundation and the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, has produced many concerts across the country, featuring stars like Bernadette Peters and Manhattan Transfer. He is credited with discovering Shania Twain and was recently featured in CBC’s Twain biography.

Tickets for the Blackfoot Art Awards are $75 per person, $600 for a table of eight or $750 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased at Soaring Hearts Art Projects, on the main floor of Lethbridge Centre. For more information, contact Ron or Debbie, 327-6828.
© Copyright by Lethbridge Herald.com