The Wazin Îchinabi-Ti House of Oneness Society is once again presenting a week-long celebration of Indigenous Art and Culture from March 16 to 23 in Cochrane.
This is the second annual event, and will feature a variety of activities driven by local and surrounding community members, groups, and businesses, showcasing Indigenous art and culture in various mediums. The aim is to educate, raise awareness, entertain, and build connections and opportunities within the community.
Indigenous Art and Culture serve as powerful means of expression, where both contemporary and traditional forms of art and performance offer valuable storytelling opportunities, building awareness and fostering relationships across cultures and generations.
Wendy Patterson, Chair of the Board of Directors of Wazin Îchinabi-Ti, said they pack in all of the cultural activities they work on during the year into this week.
“It gives people an idea of what we do,” she said. “We put on our learning circle once a month, we put on different programs,” she said.
The week gives Wazin Îchinabi-Ti the opportunity to promote education and awareness of Indigenous culture.
They will be launching something called the Augmented Reality Mural Showcase, something that turns out to be almost impossible to describe over the phone. It will have to be experienced.
“The biggest key takeaway is we will be launching our Augmented Reality Mural Showcase,” she said.
The technology allows anyone with the app to scan something in a magazine for example, and the magazine actually comes to life.
“We’ve taken that technology and applied it to these paintings we have, and we’ve brought in elders and knowledge holders to speak to the paintings, and with the technology, put it into an augmented reality project so each painting will come to life and connect people to language and culture,” Patterson said.
Another highlight of the week, Patterson said will be a special tribute to the memory of Trent Fox.
And the March 21 Fashion Show at the Lions Event Centre will also include a craft show and some live performances, running from 6 to 10 pm.
Some other event Highlights will include: Drum Making and Drumming Circle; Metis Artisan Workshop; Author Readings; Featured Art Installations; Augmented Reality Murals; Indigenous Market & Family Event; Movie Screenings; “The Stories We Have Earned” Stoney Nakoda Film Project “All My Relations”; Indigenous Fashion Show & Cultural Performances, and Community Partner Events & Activities.
New activities and events are added daily.
For updates, ticket sales and detailed program specifics go to wazinichinabihouse.ca.
Currently, there are approximately 5,397 Iyarhe Nakoda living in Stoney Nakoda Nations (Stoney Nakoda Nations 2021) and 1,465 residents in Cochrane identifying as Indigenous, Inuit, and Métis (Government of Alberta 2021).
Additionally, the Indigenous population percentage of Cochrane has significantly increased by 36.3 per cent in the last five years (2021, Government of Alberta).
The Wazin Îchinabi-Ti House of Oneness Society’s release on the culture week reads, “Despite this growth, the visibility of the immense talent and Indigenous cultural heritage is not evidently expressed in our town’s-built landscape. This event aims to contribute to that landscape for Indigenous people in and around Cochrane.”
Current Sponsors/Funders include ATB, Rotary Club of Cochrane, Town of Cochrane, InterPipeline, Half Hitch Brewery, Government of Alberta, Urban Casual.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, is asked to visit the event page on their website at wazinti.ca or contact the Centre at [email protected] or [email protected].
Patterson said the week is not just about showcasing Indigenous culture, nor is it all about bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together, but is more about connecting everyone.
“The theme is “All My Relations” – we’re all treaty people,” she said. “We have a responsibility to learn more about the first people in this country.”
Patterson said when cultures come together, sometimes unexpectedly, the result can be magic.
“To me, magic is Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix coming together to produce All Along the Watchtower," she said. "Bob wrote it but he couldn’t put the guitar to it like Jimi could. You couldn’t engineer that, you couldn’t plan it, it just happened, and it was magic.
“Two cultures coming together,” she added, “Like at the Centre – you have to open your heart and mind to magic.”
