‘We thought you had killed them all’

Conne River to take part in 2010 Olympics; national organization unaware aboriginals here

When members of the Miawpukek Band Reserve in Conne River on the south coast of Newfoundland found out they will be featured during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, it was as much of a surprise for them as it was for the national Aboriginal organization that selected them.

“(The Mi’kmaq of Conne River) were not on anybody’s radar screen,” says Aboriginal Tourism Canada CEO Daniel-Paul Bork in a telephone interview from Winnipeg. “We do the powwow circuit and talk to (Aboriginal) organizations and event managers and nobody even knew — we thought you had killed them all out there,” he says.

Hinging on final approval from the Vancouver organizing committee for the Olympic Games, residents of the reserve in Conne River are putting in serious time and energy to prepare their contribution to the quickly approaching Games.

Phoebe Foster, a resident and economic development officer on the reserve, says as one of 29 chosen significant Aboriginal tourism products in Canada by Aboriginal Tourism Canada — a partnership between businesses and government to create opportunities for Aboriginal tourism — photos, film clips and testimonials from tourists who have taken part in the yearly powwow event will be featured on a new website. The new site will in turn be part of a complete package of publicity materials to be showcased at the Aboriginal Pavilion component of the opening ceremonies.

“Our performance choir has also been invited by the mayor of Vancouver to perform during the ceremonies, and will be singing and dancing,” Foster tells The Independent.

Bork says the Miawpukek band members are responsible for contributing “market ready” promotional materials — such as photos of the powwow and audiovisual recordings — that will be used to reach Olympic tourists from target countries. Travellers from the United Kingdom in particular are keen on experiential tourist attractions — where the visitor actually participates in, and not just watches the event — for which the Conne River powwow is developing a glowing reputation.

“It’s surprising to get some good (visitor) testimonials out of there because it is sort of like a hidden little jewel that’s there, and all of a sudden it’s coming to light. And that’s great — that’s exactly what we’re looking for and we’re going to be shining the spotlight on them right up to 2010,” says Bork.

The 13th annual powwow is slated to take place on the first weekend in July. The three day community celebration features chanting, drumming, dancing and displays of traditional native regalia.

mandy.cook@theindependent.ca

 

1	Public Notice (7/21/2008)
2	Oil versus electric (7/2/2008)
3	‘Musical miracle’ (7/19/2008)
4	Spark re-ignited (7/12/2008)
5	Biker chic (7/12/2008)
6	‘When the Rondo’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’ (7/19/2008)
7	The lazy, hazy days of cub camp (7/5/2008)
8	What are Newfoundlanders smoking? (7/19/2008)
9	The flying Fisheries ministers (7/12/2008)
10	Onward and upward (7/12/2008)
	view the complete news list »

1	Public Notice (7/21/2008)
2	‘Musical miracle’ (7/19/2008)
3	‘When the Rondo’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’ (7/19/2008)
4	What are Newfoundlanders smoking? (7/19/2008)
5	Pogey paranoia (7/19/2008)
6	Greek surgeon says seals may be harvested for organs (7/19/2008)
7	Signing off … again (7/19/2008)
8	Jonesing for ... (7/19/2008)
9	Rocket man (7/17/2008)
10	Jump, dive and whale (7/17/2008)
	view the complete news list »