Aboriginal Women Artists and Mentors Program (AWAM)

Bannock Point Petroforms of Eastern Manitoba and Sweat Lodge
with Ron Bell, Whiteshell Natural History (Nutimik) Museum
Sunday June 6, 2010. Cars leave MAWA at 9:30 am. Return by 6 pm

Join MAWA on a journey to this sacred site. The Bannock Point Petroforms are boulders, positioned on bare rock in the shape of animals and humans, and are estimated to be 1,400 to 3,000 years old. These sculptural rock drawings of turtles, snakes and people have a ritual function: to heal and to teach. Adherents of Midewewin or Grand Medicine Society call this place Manito Ahbee, The Place Where The Creator Sits.

After touring the site with Ron Bell, sharing a picnic lunch, and taking time for independent exploration and reflection, Ron will lead us in a traditional sweat. Please bring: weather-appropriate clothing for the walk (hat, sweater, and rain coat if it looks damp); food to share for a picnic lunch; and two towels, T-shirt, and a skirt or wrap to wear in the sweat (our legs must be covered). Note that menstruating women cannot partake in the sweat. As Ron explained, when we are “in our time” we are “cleansing already”. Transportation will be provided via carpooling, so although the field trip is free, we will be splitting nominal gas costs.

Ron Bell is the elder/gatekeeper of Bannock Point.

Register by Wednesday June 2 at noon by calling Tracy at 949-9490 or emailing programs@mawa.ca with the subject heading “petroforms”.

---

Long Plain Powwow, west of Portage la Prairie
with artist Lita Fontaine
Saturday July 31, 2010. Cars leave MAWA at 3 pm. Return by midnight.

MAWA so enjoyed last year’s field trip, we’re heading back again! Lita Fontaine is graciously taking us to Long Plain First Nation, her mother’s reserve, for this annual celebration of Aboriginal culture featuring traditional dancers from across North America. Lita is generous with her knowledge about powwow ritual—just ask!

Please bring a lawn chair, a blanket or two (it might get chilly!), warm socks and some insect repellent. You are welcome to bring some food to share or buy food on site (mmm… Saskatoon pie!). Transportation will be provided via carpooling, so although the field trip and powwow entrance are free, we will be splitting nominal gas costs.

Lita Fontaine’s work includes photography, mixed media and installation. She recently exhibited at the Canadian Costume Museum, in Native/American Apparel, curated by Jenny Western. Lita is an arts educator and works as an Artist in Residence with the Seven Oaks School Division.

To get a sense of the Long Plain Powwow, check out:

Register by by Thursday July 29 at 4:30 pm by calling Tracy at 949-9490 or emailing programs@mawa.ca with the subject heading “powwow”.