Talking Stick Festival marks 20th anniversary with FEASTING OUR WORDS/ Tl'a7a'shn Chet Snichem
Jules Arita Koostachin joins other local artists for a multi-day event of storytelling, fashion, music, burlesque, and more in celebration of Indigenous art
Jules Arita Koostachin Karolina Turek
Full Circle: First Nations Performance presents Talking Stick Festival’s FEASTING OUR WORDS/Tl'a7a'shn Chet Snichem at various venues from October 24 to 27.
WHILE JULES ARITA Koostachin incorporates film, photography, installation, and creative writing into her art, storytelling is at the heart of everything she does. A member of Attawapiskat First Nation, she draws on her ancestral ties to the MoshKeKo AsKi InNiNiNeWak (Swampy Cree) teachings in the form of story to share cultural beliefs, values, protocols, ceremonial life, and more—and to ensure the voices of her ancestors are forever remembered and heard.
With a PhD from the University of British Columbia, where she studied at the Institute of Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, Koostachin focused on Indigenous documentary and positionality—relationship to stories—in her post-graduate research, titled MooNaHaTihKaaSiWew: Unearthing Spirit. Now, she says she’s at a turning point in her life, with storytelling being more vital than ever.
“I have completed my PhD—in April of this year—and I have successfully raised my four children to be strong proud Cree men,” Koostachin tells Stir. “I am now able to focus solely on my arts practice, which is both exhilarating and petrifying. But with that stated, I am ready to step into the light.
“I am first and foremost a mother, and I am a writer, an academic, and a filmmaker; I love being a storyteller,” she adds. “I wholeheartedly believe that this is my gift to share with the world. I come from a long line of Indigenous—Cree—women and I carry an abundance of stories from my ancestral lands. I am honoured to be part of this collective of storytellers.”
Koostachin is one of several Indigenous artists who will share stories and other forms of expression in the final installment of Talking Stick Festival’s 20th anniversary, “FEASTING OUR WORDS Tl'a7a'shn Chet Snichem – building our collective Fire through our songs, dance, deeds and stories”.
To mark the fest’s milestone, Full Circle: First Nations Performance has held events throughout the year, in every season, calling “to the Four Directions and All Our Relations to gather around Four Fires”. The anniversary celebrations have featured with The Winter Lodge: Sitting with our Ancestors (February 18 to 27), Spring Awakening (April 29 to May 1), and Summer Sojourn (June 1 to July 1). FEASTING OUR WORDS runs from October 24 to 27,
The multi-day event launches with Piano Burning, a co-presentation of Queer Arts Festival and Full Circle: First Nations Performance at Mountain View Cemetery. (See Stir’s story here.)
RainbowGlitz. Photo by Tiffany Ireland Photography
On October 26, it’s Wordplay & Rhythms for the Spirit! at 7 pm at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. The gathering features spoken words “of wisdom, of knowledge, insight, humour, anger, awakening” by several esteemed Indigenous artists, poets, and storytellers, including Koostachin.
Koostachin says it is her art practice that keeps her grounded and reminds her of the importance of sustaining her cultural identity.
“I believe that story carries agency, and if we nourish our stories, they will continue on way after we have left this realm,” Koostachin says. “My story bundle comprises of stories of resiliency, love and wisdom. My soul feels alive when I am sharing, either that be with my sons, my community or with the general public. It is through being a mother and my storytelling, that I feel that my life has true purpose.”
Joining Koostachin at this event are poet, storyteller, playwright, researcher, and archaeologist Joseph A. Dandurand and Nicola I. Campbell, scholar and author of adult and children’s free-verse poetry, fiction and non-fiction prose.
Orene Askew, aka DJ O Show, will perform live before the event wraps up with a set by Rocky Mountain Badlands duo Blue Moon Marquee, made up of A.W. Cardinal (on vocals and guitar) and Jasmine Colette, aka Badlands Jass (vocals, bass, and drums). Blue Moon Marquee has released four full-length albums of original compositions to date and received the 2021 West Coast Music Awards nomination for Blues Artist of the year and the Canadian Folk Music Awards nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year.
Blue Moon Marquee. Photo by Amy Braun (Amy The Coda)
On October 27 at 7 pm, also at the Roundhouse, it’s 20th Anniversary Talking Stick Gala Comes Full Circle! The eclectic program is meant for reflection; to honour and thank all those who have been part of the fest over the past two decades; and to celebrate its legacy of “creative sovereignty, cultural wisdom, and Indigenous joy”, explains Full Circle founder and artistic director Margo Kane.
“As I was working with my artistic Elders from the Coast Salish Territories, they spoke of traditions where they feast and many great speakers share words, thoughts, and inspiration while those gathered feast in honour of an event or events of the past year,” Kane tells Stir. “We are literally feasting their words, receiving nourishment and inspiration.
“My expression through the arts,” she adds, “is an embodiment of the creative spirit that lifts my spirit and those who are part of the sharing”.
With Métis performing artist, public speaker, and filmmaker Jordan Waunch as emcee, the gala will feature an appearance by RainbowGlitz and Monday Blues. The two are members of Virago Nation, a collective of Indigenous artists who, in “reclaiming Indigenous sexuality from the toxic effects of colonization”, perform burlesque, theatre, song, and spoken word.
Monday Blues is an Afro-Indigenous (Togolese-Secwepemc) artist, life coach, advocate, and activist who has performed burlesque professionally since 2011. A former member of the board of directors for Vancouver international Burlesque festival, she coaches anti-oppressive/decolonized leadership.
Rainbow Glitz holds Haida (raven), Yalh ‘jaanas, Squamish, and Musqueam heritage who began her burlesque journey in 2013 with the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society Becoming Burlesque program and has performed frequently with the Geekenders. RainbowGlitz says she was interesting in being part of Talking Stick Festival’s gala because it presents a way for artists to express themselves in a safe and positive manner.
“It is a way to tell your story and share who you are for a better world,” RainbowGlitz tells Stir. “I chose to do this event to challenge myself and learn new skills. As I do more of a visual and movement art form and usually never talk—as I am shy—I saw this as an opportunity to grow.
“My art is about sharing and giving love and good medicine not only for the audiences but also myself,” RainbowGlitz adds. “I make sure to connect all the pieces of who I am into my art so it comes out as a beautiful rainbow of who I am. I also try to do a lot of decolonizing work through my art form in all forms of the word, like taking away the colonial gaze on my art and fully embracing my art as Indigenous art, being traditional.”
Joleen Mitton, founder of Supernaturals Modelling.
The October 27 gala also features VIFW X SUPERNATURALS fashion show. Supernaturals Modelling is an Indigenous boutique modelling agency founded by Joleen Mitton that aims to make Indigenous people visible, with a focus on healthy and high-end cultural representation.
DJ Kookum will perform at the closing gala. Inspired by EDM and hip hop, the artist also known as Cheyanna Kootenhayoo hails from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Cold Lake First Nations on their maternal Denesuline traditional territory.
There’s also a Moccasin Contest. Attendees are encouraged to bring their moccasins to enter in the competition, with guests able to vote in categories such as best blinging moccasins, best baby moccasins, best jigging moccasins. Blue Moon Marquee is back to bring the celebrations to an swinging, bluesy, upbeat close.
More information is at www.talkingstickfest.ca
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