Feature stories

February 24: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

A stunning performance of audio-visual symmetry highlights a day presented by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion. The New Native Musical Review features musicians and singers from all genres including country, pow wow, blues, folk and hip hop. They are accompanied by a visual artist who creates an original piece of art inspired by the music being performed. The show features Tracy Bone, JC Campbell, Don Amero, Wab Kinew, Marie-Josee Dandeneau, Mike Bruyere, Cris Derksen, Doug Cox and painter Fred Thomas. The performances get underway at 11:00am.

Every day from 3:30pm and to 7:30pm, the Four Host First Nations is proud to present We Are Here at the Chiefs' House — a spectacular 360 degree multimedia experience featuring the driving beats, vivid sights and compelling stories of Aboriginal culture across Canada.

The Evening Performance series continues at 9:30pm with a cinematic flair. Dubbed Maximum Exposure, the two-part evening will lift off with new Aboriginal short-films introduced and presented by Bird Runningwater, Associate Director of Native American and Indigenous Programs at the prestigious 2009 Sundance International Film Festival. Runningwater scouts out emerging Indigenous film making talent to support through the institute. Since their founding in 1994 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Aboriginal rock band Eagle and Hawk have been riding their progressive style of ‘rock’ steeped in roots, fusion, and solid songwriting to new heights of popularity. The band's list of awards grows every year. They have won a Juno Award, seven Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, two Native American Music Awards, six Indian Summer Music Awards, and nine Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. Their live shows are described as "energizing, interactive, and simply irresistible." Eagle and Hawk's show starts at 9:30pm.

The foodies at the Olympic Games have been raving. Lounge Nights at the Jack Poole Hall have been a perfect respite from the thousands of people celebrating in the streets  of Vancouver. Every night during the Games from 9:00pm to 12:00am, the Four Host First Nations invites you to sample a fusion of traditional Aboriginal food and contemporary cuisine including the chef’s famous bison sliders with sautéed wild mushrooms and Salt Spring Island goat cheese. We've also got two flat screen televisions to catch highlights of the day's action.

Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase

The main stage at the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase overflows with talent each day and today is not any different. Rapper Ostwelve has been impressing visitors with his biting social commentary wrapped around infectious grooves. He takes the stage at 11:00am. Métis/Cree/Salteaux artist/composer Sandy Scofield has been performing since 1986 and hails from four generations of fiddlers and singers. Come and see a performance full of powerful lyrics presented by her beautiful voice at 3:00pm. Cheri Maracle is from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. Listen to her music and you will hear a number of influences from roots to blues to jazz and rock. Showtime is 6:00pm.

After the Four Host First Nations gave blankets to Russian ice dance pair Oksana Domina and Maxim Shabalin, many have been asking where to get one. Debra Sparrow, a Musqueam artist, designed the blanket and will be at the Artisan Village today and tomorrow.

Open Happiness

Starting on February 15thand running until February 25th Coca-Cola is auctioning one-of-a-kind works of Aboriginal art displayed on giant versions of Coca-Cola’s iconic contour bottle. All funds raised in the online auction will benefit the Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund (AYLF). Created by VANOC and the Four Host First Nations, the AYLF will support education, sport, culture, and sustainability initiatives for First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth across Canada and beyond the 2010 Winter Games. Go online to icoke.ca to view the bottles. And bid. If you have questions you can send an e-mail to Coca-ColaArtBottleProgram@hillandknowlton.com