Tales from Turtle Island
Drum Group and Dancers
Metis Jiggers
Smoke Dancers
Contemporary & Out of Town Artists
Sunsdrum (Throatsingers)
Artist Stations
Christine Friday O'Leary
"Tales from Turtle Island is a stage production that incorporates both traditional storytelling theatre and pow wow dance performance. This original double bill features a short 10 minute theatre production where mask, movement and a scripted narration brina an ancient legend to life. Currently touring productions you can select from include "Sky Women Falls to Earth", the Iroqouis creation story and "The Gift" a traditional Algonquin legend on how Eagle was given the gift of his white head from creator. Each story is followed by Spirit of Dance which features contemporary movement, scripted narration and performances of Pow Wow dance. The production typically runs from 30 to 40 minutes and can consist of up to 5 different pow wow dance styles, and may include a hoop dance performed to contemporary music (and a round dance with audience if feasible). Scripted narration in English or French available.
Production with four dancers $1,600 + HST
Production with five dancers $1,800 + HST
(add a live pow wow drum to the production an additional $1000)+ HST
Aboriginal Experience Educational Outreach Tour
Aboriginal Experiences Educational Outreach Tour
An Ontario Curriculum-based young audience performance featuring Aboriginal youth from across Turtle Island (North America). Tales from Turtle Island is an original double bill featuring the creation story of Sky Woman Falls to the Earth or how Eagle got his white head in The Gift, includes an interactive performance of powwow dance in the Spirit of Dance.
After hosting over 7,000 students each year at our popular cultural attraction, Aboriginal Experiences, we are proud to announce the launch of our first outreach tour! Now we can bring all of our experience in presenting an authentic and educational performance that celebrates Aboriginal cultures in Canada direct to your school or event to enrich your students experience in the classroom.
A new study guide, designed to match your curriculum needs and grade level is available to assist teachers with engaging the students in activities and discussions about Aboriginal arts and culture. Themed discussions with the artists following the performance will connect the stories and teachings shared back to their classroom studies.
One-hour performances are available in the Champlain region of Ontario at a rate of $847.50 and .51 per km for travelling expenses. (Includes gratuities and HST) Additional performance rates available for other regions. Classroom workshops creating dreamcatchers, medicine wheels and talking feathers also available at an additional cost.
Tour dates from November 1, 2010 to April 15, 2011. Available for groups of 20-500.
ALL PRICES INCLUDE APPLICABLE TAXES (HST 13%)
"Tales from Turtle Island is a stage production that incorporates both traditional storytelling theatre and pow wow dance performance. This original double bill features the 12 minute Sky Woman Falls to the Earth where mask, movement and a scripted narration tell the Iroqouis creation story followed by Spirit of Dance which features contemporary movement, scripted narration and performances of Pow Wow dance. The production typically runs from 30 to 40 minutes and can consist of up to 5 different pow wow dance styles, and may include a hoop dance performed to contemporary music (and a round dance with audience if feasible). Scripted narration in English or French available.
Drum Group and First Nation Dancers
$1,100 to $2,750 + HST
A talented Pow Wow drum will open and lead the event with their stirring songs accompanied by the heartbeat of Mother Earth - the large drum. This highly visible and interactive performance will introduce a number of traditional and contemporary style dancers in full regalia. The styles represented in this region include: Mens traditional, grass and fancy as well as womens jingle, fancy shawl and traditional styles. A special and unique performance of hoop dancing will certainly be the highlight with over 20 hoops used to demonstrate various animals and symbols in honour of Mother Earth. Aboriginal Experiences is proud to present a choreographic Hoop Dance performance called Balance which is set to contemporary music. Traditional Hoop Dance performances are also available. The full performance could be from 20-40 minutes and includes a recorded narration on the history and teachings of each dance style as well as audience interaction.
All performances up to 40 minutes (depending on itinerary)
Five Dancers (different styles) with recorded narration $1400 + HST
Four Dancers (different styles) with recorded narration $1200 + HST
Five Dancers (different styles) with recorded narration live Pow Wow drum $2,400 + HST
Four Dancers (different styles) with recorded narration &live Pow Wow drum $2,200 + HST
Hoop Dancer (as additional performer to above troupes) $900 + HST
Hoop Dancer (as solo artist to CD) $1,100 + HST
Drum Group (3 to 4 singers/drummers without dancers) for openings $1,000 + HST
Each additional dancer (for maximum impact) $225 + HST
Emcee available price ranges from $250 - $750 + HST
Metis Jigging $1,500 + HST
Talented and energetic, Metis dancers demonstrate some of the most challenging jig dances including Red River Jig. Performance can range from 20 to 40 minutes depending on your itinerary.
Smoke Dancers $2,200 + HST
The Iroqouis nation has their own unique style of fast paced dance called the smoke dance. The quick movements are made to a water-drum and both men and women participate in social songs that can be shared with our visitors. (many of the other dances are still used in longhouse ceremony and are not shared with public) Price includes travel from Akwesasne.
We have over 300 diverse Aboriginal Artists from around the country in our database, but have recommended a few options for consideration that have worked well in past corporate events.
Interactive artist workshops with Metis artist Christi Belcourt
Powerful performances by Canadian icon, Susan Aglukark
World Champion hoop dancers (Dallas Arcand and Lisa Odjig)
Multiple award winning native flute musician and carver, David Maracle
DerRic Starlight, talented comedian and puppeteer with over 275 unique voices
Juno nominated and award winning contemporary music acts that span the musical genres from blues to world music and folk to rock. Some of the popular choices include Digging Roots, Derek Miller, Eagle and Hawk, Burnt Project 1, Andrea Menard and more.
Metis Hypnotist, Scott Ward will amaze crowds of all ages.
Native fashion shows featuring native designers and youth models
First Nations award winning town crier, storyteller and emcee, Daniel Richer.
Sunsdrum (throatsingers) $1,500 + HST
Siqiniup Qilauta (Sunsdrum) presents Inuit cultural performances that include throat singing, drum dancing and singing traditional Inuit songs (ayaya). This talented group of youth have been actively performing since 2001, to both national and international audiences including Prince Charles and the Prime Minister. Members of the group have traveled the globe to Mexico, Greenland, Germany and more to share this unique performance.
Interactive Artist Stations
Having interactive artist stations, where artisans are working on their craft or art has proven to be a very popular way to bring the culture to life. The cost per artist may vary (from $550 to $900 + HST) and we have some of the following local talents:
Christine Friday OLeary
$1,200 solo ($1500 duo) + HST
Christine is a contemporary First Nations dance artist and choreographer who can perform an expert from her original dance piece Passage which melds traditional movements and themes in a more contemporary context.
