by Genesis Centre
Published July 8, 2024
Community Unites to Celebrate Artists and Vendors at Indigenous Market
“When we dance, when we sing, it’s prayer,” Pearl White Quill says. “It’s just a huge part of who we are as indigenous people to share those blessings and spread that vibration far.”
Quill begins the day at the indigenous market held at The Genesis Centre with an insightful land acknowledgment through song and prayer.
“It’s good for us. It’s good for the building. It’s good for the land.” Blessed with the name AA KOA MIYANIST TSI’NIH KIAKI, also known as Sings Many Different Songs Woman, expressed her passion through a drum and flute demonstration.
Many local artists, indigenous vendors, and drumming and dancing performances were all featured at the event.
The event was organized by the Community Hubs initiative, which is a collaboration between the United Way Calgary, the City of Calgary, and the Rotary Club of Calgary.
“For the vendors to come out, it takes a lot of courage,” Quill said. “In fact, it’s so important for us because part of our way of life is a creative society.”
A crowd forms in the Genesis lobby as the veteran dance artists Elder Shirley Hill (ANATSIPI’KSSAAKII) and special guest Luke Whiteman perform.
“I like the crowd when we’re dancing, and a lot of people came in and were curious,” Hill said.
Hill has worked at the YMCA located in Gensis for the past eight years, providing a traditional dance program for the youth.
“I think one of the most important things about getting to know different cultures is to have that perspective—not to judge, but just to learn, ask questions, and find out what the people are about.”
Hill is a proud member of the Siksika Nation and has been dancing the fancy shawl style for 42 years.
“I remember dancing as a little child, about four years old, and I had fun then. When I was a young teenager, I started dancing again to reclaim that part of myself.”
Quills, a Siksikaitsitapi Blackfoot Confederacy woman, speaks to the importance of non-indigenous people attending the event.
“It’s not just us as indigenous people who are treaty people. The very fact that you are here if you are not indigenous means that you are treaty people as well,” said Quill.
“So those teachings that we live by, when we signed those agreements, you agreed to live in our way of life as well,” she said. “It’s really important for you to get to know who we are as indigenous people and be able to understand that.”
Quills expresses a great sense of connection with her ancestors and says her passions are a means of healing, as they reflect the very core of Indigenous identity.
“The true history behind us as indigenous people is that the attempt to wipe us out completely happened just 100 years ago, and we’re still here,” said Quills. “That is my message through all this: that we are still here; we are resilient.”
by Genesis Centre
Published July 8, 2024