Warriors of Peace
“This page is dedicated to all those historical and contemporary Visionary/Warrior Heroes who continue to impact Indigenous communities through their wise words and brave acts in the defense of their people. Visionaries, Warrior Chiefs, Orators, Singers, Dancers, Speakers, Educators. By every word and action, they kept and continue to keep in mind always the greater good of Indigenous People all over Turtle Island. May their spirits stay forever strong. All My Relations.” (Thunderbird) |
JOHN ARCAND Master Métis Fiddler (The following taken from his website http://www.johnarcand.com) Originally from the Debden – Big River area of Saskatchewan, John now makes his home on acreage southwest of Saskatoon. He started playing fiddle at the age six, with coaching from his Father and Grandfather and by age twelve he was playing for dances. His impeccable sense of timing and flowing rhythm comes from learning to watch the dancers feet at this early age and from this he developed and refined a style of playing that has helped him become a legend in the fiddle world. People often refer to him as the “dancer’s choice”! John has made fourteen recordings to date, and still plays and records the Traditional Métis tunes of his Father and Grandfather as well as those he continues to research, learn and pass on. He is also a prolific writer having composed over 300 original tunes. Along with a busy performing schedule, John is active as a guest artist and judge at fiddle contests, is in demand as an instructor at many fiddle camps and has a growing list of private students. He and his wife travel extensively promoting the Métis culture through workshops and performances and do many school and youth presentations each year. John is an avid collector of fiddles and accessories and a qualified Luthier who has been making fiddles for many years. The art of fiddle making is not a common one and his “original” instruments are much sought after. He also offers repairs and can provide appraisals. John has spent his lifetime promoting and preserving the traditions of Fiddle Métis and Dance and old time fiddling. His contribution to the music world encompasses the preservation of these traditions, and his on-going efforts to offer a venue where all of this can be seen, appreciated and shared – The John Arcand Fiddle Fest. Held annually on the second weekend of August on his acreage, the John Arcand Fiddle Fest has become one of the major fiddle events in Western Canada, celebrating it’s 10th anniversary in 2007. His proudest achievement include being selected as one of 27 people world wide to represent Western Canada at the Fiddles of the World Conference in Halifax in 1999. Being chosen as a delegate in an Irish/ Métis Cultural Exchange in 2001 where he played for and met the President of Ireland. And, of course playing for and meeting the Queen at the Lieutenant Governor’s Centennial Gala in Saskatoon in 2005. His passions for the preservation of the Métis Traditions, old time fiddling and work with youth have been recognized by his peers and resulted in him being honoured with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts and Culture, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for his “Outstanding Contribution to Old Time Fiddling.” from the Canadian Grand Masters in 2003. In 2004 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Inaugural Lieutenant Governor’s Saskatchewan Arts Awards. In 2005 the Province of Saskatchewan honoured him with the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, and in the Spring of 2006 he received the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations “Living in Harmony” Award from the City of Saskatoon. To see John perform is to see a man serious about his music and in harmony with all that is good. From playing for the Queen of England to “jamming” with regular folk – John is happiest and most at home with a fiddle in his hand. |
EVA CARDINAL Rock Woman, ‘Asini-iskiw’, Cree Evangeline Redcrow Cardinal is now an Elder to her people. She was born in the bush and shortly after the Elders named her ‘Rock Woman.’ It is a fitting name. She has been in a number of films relating to residential schools, Native women and related subjects. She began as a cook at Poundmaker Treatment Centre and rose through counselor, senior counselor and eventually Director. She left Poundmaker to work on the Sacred Circle project in the Edmonton Public School District. With only a 7th grade residential school education, she eventually went to college and earned her degree and graduated in her 60s. She is retired from EPSD now, after more than 20 years, and living back on the reserve. As a speaker, she has recounted her harrowing journey as she survived residential school. She was determined to keep preserve her cultural identity and language. She and two other survivors were the stars of a film, entitled, “The Learning Path.” Part of the description of the film is as follows: “Generations of Native children were taught in schools that to be Native was somehow wrong. Exposed to racism, ridicule and overt disdain for native culture and traditions, they were made to feel inferior, even criminal. For today’s generation of native students, these painful experiences need not be repeated. Native Canadians now have control over their own system of formal education and, to help restore what for many was lost, the classroom curricula includes studies that will ensure the continued survival of the native identity. In the film, we meet three remarkable educators. In their own unique ways, Edmonton elders Ann Anderson, Eva Cardinal and Olive Dickason are leading younger Natives along the path of enlightenment. Documentary footage, dramatic re-enactments and archival film inter-weave the three women’s stories, and Anderson and Cardinal recount their own harrowing experiences at residential schools; memories which have fueled their determination to preserve their Native languages and identities. Along their paths we learn not just of the legacy that still plagues Native education; we also learn of the strength with which it has been overcome.” |
KENOJUAK (ASHEVAK) October 3, 1927 – January 8, 2013 Generally regarded as Canada’s foremost Inuit artist. Since her first print appeared in a 1959 collection, she has established an international reputation; her work has been featured in exhibitions throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. Although most widely renowned for her prints, two of which have appeared on Canadian postage stamps, Kenojuak has worked in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media, including sewing, sculptures, copperplate engravings, paintings and drawings. She was among the first group of Canadians to receive the prestigious Order Canada Medal of Service, an award honoring achievements in all fields of Canadian life. Elected into the Royal Canadian Academy in 1974, Kenojuak has also been awarded numerous commissions, including the mural for the 1970 World’s Fair. |
LORI PIESTEWA Native American tribes united in grief when Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, 23, was killed in action in 2003. Lori Piestewa, daughter of a Hopi man and a Hispanic woman, was the first woman (and Native woman) to die in the line of duty in Operation Iraqui Freedom. Stand Easy, Private, you served your people and your country well. Your Ancestors are well. pleased. |
ERIC SHIRT Eric Shirt lived in his car and spent every waking hour planning, plotting, scheming and cajoling both his own people and the Alberta government into setting up Canada’s first in-patient addictions centre for Native people. He lived on handouts, donations and the energy of his dream. It took seven years to get the building built, government opposition causing delay after delay, but Mr. Shirt would not go away. It was his vision that led to the creation of both the Poundmaker and Nechi Treatment Centres in Alberta. No legacy can be greater than one that was built on sacrifice and in service for the greater good of his people. |
CHIEF ROBERT SMALLBOY The Smallboy Reserve was created by Chief Robert Smallboy, the tribes visionary leader out of desperation to save his people, particularly the youth. Alcohol and violence on the Hobben Reserve was at epic proportions and Smallboy elected to take a pro-active stance and move his band to another area. In 1968 more determined than ever to save his people he moved over one hundred and sixty of them to the mountains, big horn country in Alberta far away from drugs, alcohol and violence. He set up a survival camp where his people could live according to the traditional ways of their ancestors and begin the healing process. He re-introduced traditional teachings, drums, stories, music giving the Cree a sense of pride in who they are as part of Canada’s First People. He fought both the governments of Ottawa and Alberta, insisting that his people had the right to live as they chose on their traditional lands. He was eighty-two years old when he appeared before the government in defense of his people. He had audiences with both the Pope and the United Nations to explain his grievances on behalf of his people. He spoke only in Cree, refusing principle to speak English until the day he died (1984). He was an accomplished businessman, successful farmer and respected Elder. Ironically, despite his battles with government, Chief Smallboy was rewarded by his efforts in receiving, among other honours, the Order of Canada in (April 16, 1980. |
THE FOLLOWING ARE A SOME IMPORTANT HISTORICAL HEROES |
CRAZY HORSE Respected Lakota Warrior Chief who led the warriors at the Battle of Rosebud Creek and the Little Big Horn in 1876. Both times he routed the American cavalry. He was such a skilled warrior that his tactics are used by West Point Warriors to this day. He was a powerful and unrepentant warrior who fought hard to maintain the land and traditional ways of his people. Despite what some folks like to post on multi media, there are no photographs of him as he refused to allow his picture to be taken lest his spirit be taken from him. He had a great vision when he was twelve which said he would never be killed in battle. He was injured twice in his life, the second time he died after he was stabbed by a guard while surrendering at Fort Robinson. No-one knows where he is buried. Black Elk once said that it does not matter for where it is, “it is grass.” He was the penultimate freedom fighter. Stand easy, Warrior, you served your people well. |