First Nations Voice

PAGE 8 • JULY 2015 Well another year has passed for APTN's Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration but I just wanted to take the time to look at what goes into putting on the biggest and best show of Aboriginal talent. I interviewed Sky Bridges, APTN Chief Operating Officer, and the one everyone at APTN credited with coming up with the idea for APTN to mark the year with a celebration. "I have to start at the beginning," said Bridges. "Nine years ago when you turned on the TV or opened a newspaper on National Aboriginal Day, you would see the day mentioned but the news would also regurgitate all the negative issues that Aboriginal people are still facing." "At APTN, we recognized that there was a need to change the dialogue. We need to change the spirit of National Aboriginal Day and do a celebration of Aboriginal peoples and cultures. Also it became an opportunity for others to learn about Aboriginal culture." Currently there are three main producers that APTN works with to pull off the epic show. "There are so many people who come together to put this (show) on. This is just more than about the producers," said Bridges. "It's the cities that we work with, the venues and the sponsors. Without the sponsors this day wouldn't be possible. During the day there are so many organizations coming on board like Manito Ahbee that helped out with the pow wow." "This show has become what we always wanted to be with everyone coming together to make it bigger and better. It's more than just the live broadcast." Putting on a show like the one this year is not just as easy as booking talent and sending a few cameras down. Bridges said there were 60 people working on the show in Winnipeg and over 120 when you include both locations. At a cost of $1.4 million and no fees charged to anyone attending Aboriginal Day Live, it's easy to give APTN credit for such an awesome show. By Trevor Greyeyes the 9 th AnnuAL AboriGinAL dAy Live & ceLebrAtion MArks Another yeAr for sPArkLinG fest Nothing better than acknowledging a local legend like Metis fiddler Andy de Jarlis at this year's APTN Aboriginal Day Live celebrations. Patti Kusturok is a three times fiddle champion and has embarked on a 365 day challenge to play a new reel everyday. She took up the challenge of playing de Jarlis's tribute. "I was really thrilled that they asked me (to play the tribute) because I am probably the biggest Andy de Jarlis fan out there," said Kusturok. For those who might not have heard of him, Andy de Jarlis (1914 – 1975) was a Canadian Métis fiddler from W o o d r i d g e , Manitoba. He was credited with more than 200 musical c o m p o s i t i o n s . He played on Winnipeg radio accompanied by the musical group the Red River Mates. He moved to Vancouver and later to Montreal where he appeared on the television program Don Messer's Jubilee as Andy Dejarlis and His Early Settlers. De Jarlis was born Joseph Patrice Ephreme Desjarlais 29 September 1914 Woodridge, Manitoba to father Pierre. He came from a family of Métis fiddlers and began playing at age 15. Kusturok started off with some signature de Jarlis tunes before heading into a fox trot, two steps, dance music and old time waltz because he was most famous for his old time waltzes. "Our music is for dancing and our guitar player can hardly keep his feet from moving," said Kusturok. "It's a real thrill to be a part of this." By Trevor Greyeyes A tribute to LAte GreAt Andy de JArLis Patti Kusturok is a three times fiddle champion He appeared on the television program Don Messer's Jubilee as Andy Dejarlis and His Early Settlers.

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