The First Nations Pavilion is introduced by the lively (and very entertaining) host as a symphony of colour and love. And boy, does it ever live up to that name.
The pavilion uses one large room to encompass the show, market, food, and cultural display. This guarantees you aren’t missing anything, and also ties into the sharing circle, the medicine wheel, and the circle of life.
First Nations Pavilion
Venue: RBC Convention Centre – North Building, 2nd Floor (375 York Ave)
Dates: Sun. Aug 6th to Sat. August 12th
Late Night Party: Sun & Sat: 5:15pm
** For a complete, updated listing of pavilions I have visited so far, please click here.
Cultural Display
The Cultural Display can’t be missed. They have a mascot! There is also a volunteer to explain about the medicine wheel, its properties, what it can symbolize, and its link to the circle of life. They have set up a tipi where, inside, kids and adults alike can create a bracelet out of strings and beads. What an inviting and interactive cultural display!
Also head over to the marketplace area and find beautiful jewelry handmade by local artisans with intricate beadwork, or carvings out of antlers.
Food
The incredible food at this pavilion was catered by Feast Cafe Bistro. The owner of the Bistro, in a quick video before the show, explains how she created the menu to show the adaptability of traditional foods, that they are not only healthy and delicious but can be prepared and shared through an established cafe. Try their organic wild rice stew and don’t miss the delicious raspberry dip that comes with their fry bread.
Entertainment
The show began with a pre-show of throat singing by two young girls named Carmela and Chastity who also happen to be the daughters of the Adult Ambassador. The girls explained that throat singing emerged as an act of survival. In the northern regions, men would leave to go hunt and women were left to take care of the children and upkeep their homes. Occasionally, the men would not return, either having fallen through the ice or been killed by wild animals. This meant that no food was returned to the village.
Their history says that two women stood at the edge of the water and began imitating animal noises with their voices and this attracted small animals that they were able to hunt and bring home to feed their families.
The First Nations Pavilion combines storytelling, oral history, music, and both traditional and contemporary dance. From the opening number, we hear a beautiful narration of the history of the medicine wheel and the four directions. They had youth dressed in the four colours, later guided by the older performers.
Entertainment was provided primarily by the Aboriginal School of Dance. This included modern, contemporary numbers that still weaved together traditional elements.
Above and Beyond
We had the honour of seeing a fancy bustle dance by a young man named Daryl, who hails from Edmonton. He shared that his own mother did not know she was Aboriginal until she was 17. Subsequently, he was raised to know his roots and ancestry. He played the flute for us and explained that braids have 3 strands for body, mind and soul, which weave together to build strength.
Beautiful. I have no other words. Come, be present, and learn about the culture that is so deeply embedded in Manitoba’s history.
Thank you to the First Nations Pavilion for doing such a beautiful job of teaching about your cultural arts and traditions. What was your favourite part of your visit to the First Nations Pavilion? Connect with me and let me know!
** For a complete, updated listing of pavilions I have visited so far, please click here.
xoxo,
Judianne