Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute - Grand Opening!

Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute proudly announces its Grand Opening and Cree Nation Cultural Celebration from June 7 to 9, 2012. A three day celebration co-hosted by the UN award-winning community of Oujé-Bougoumou, QC, Aanischaaukamikw will open its doors to the entire world, inviting visitors from near and far to participate in a rich cultural experience centred on this breathtaking new addition to the Canadian museum landscape. A special Opening Ceremony, to be attended by leaders from government, industry, and the worldwide cultural community will be held on June 8, 2012.

http://www.creeculturalinstitute.ca/en/grand-opening/

Travel & accommodation packages are available for the event through Escapade Boreale 

http://escapadeboreale.com/grand-opening-packages/

 

Re-Instilling Cultural Pride with Aboriginal Festivals

The grass is getting greener, the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping. Spring is upon us and I can feel the excitement and anticipation in the air – summer is just around the corner. For many Canadians, summer is a time to get reacquainted with your community and what better way than to attend a festival.  

I think one of the things that sets Manitoba aside is its plethora of festivals and just to name a few - Winnipeg Folk Festival, Festival du Voyageur, Manito Ahbee and Folklorama. Manitoba’s Aboriginals Festivals are also a cut above the rest. 

MétisFest is held in late July in Killarney, Manitoba. It provides Métis artists with an opportunity to showcase their talent while providing everyone else with the opportunity to learn about Métis heritage, culture and place in North American history. (www.metisfest.com) 

Manito Ahbee is held in early November in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The festival draws people from across Canada, the United States and abroad. The many festival events include a Youth Education Conference, Indigenous Marketplace and Trade Show, International Competition Pow Wow and the renowned Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.  `The impact of the Festival reaches well beyond entertainment; it has communicated a very significant message about the importance of celebrating Aboriginal culture. It arouses a far deeper understanding and powerful affirmation of Aboriginal cultural rebirth and renewal. It showcases the talents, gifts and abilities of Aboriginal artists from all nations. It is truly a celebration of Aboriginal music, arts, culture and heritage not seen before by the broader public through the many festival events.` (www.manitoahbee.com) 

Cultural festivals for Aboriginal communities can provide a multitude of positive benefits for their residents, visitors and surrounding communities. They bring communities together for a few days of celebration, often revitalizing smaller communities. They can re-instil cultural pride for residents and can promote greater cultural understanding and awareness. Festivals support local artisans, suppliers and performers and can be marketed to entice tourists and visitors to come and experience a community. And of course, they allow festival goers to sample new foods and listen to new music!

If you are looking to inject a little life into your community, get people out and celebrating, a festival is a great way to do it. CES would love to help you plan, organize and implement your cultural festival. 

-          Jessica Braun

Sustainable Community Engagement for the Resource Extraction Industry

Consultation and dialogue between the resource extraction industry and local communities has its challenges. The majority of communities that are directly and indirectly affected by this industry live in remote areas and take place on indigenous lands. 

Discover a new way to create a new dialogue between companies and communities using an interactive mobile app. The time required for conventional community engagement and reporting creates challenges for Community Professionals. Watch this video to learn how a mobile app can enable two-way communication to understand the underlying issues and sentiments of a community, the influencers driving the conversations and what actions to take as a result.

If you would like more information or further discuss how this works contact Amanda at amanda@cesclients.com or at 1-877-444-5550.

Planning an Event for National Aboriginal Day?

National Aboriginal Day is just around the corner on June 21^st. If your community / organization is planning a special event and requires assistance to create a memorable experience, the CES team is able to assist.

We understand that planning these events requires a large investment of time to successfully deliver an unforgettable experience for your guests. CES offers a one stop solution by providing a cost-effective approach to event planning that includes the following services:

• Planning
• Activities & Product Development
• Site Logistics
• Promotion & Marketing
• Volunteer Training and Coordination 

 For more details call CES at 1-877-444-5550 or email ces@cesclients.com

Innovative Entrepreneur Coaching Program for Aboriginal Tourism Development

By utilizing advances in technology combined with a Professional Advisor approach, CES is able to offer a unique learning experience that blends business theory with practical application in a time and cost effective format.

For the entrepreneurs it will be like having an instructor and their own personal Consultant at the same time. CES will be on-site to facilitate group learning sessions followed by one-on-one meetings to address each entrepreneur’s specific needs.

CES will also deliver a series of online interactive webinars, each focusing on critical areas of tourism business development and ownership. 

Lastly, each entrepreneur will receive an allotment of 35 hours of personalized coaching. With special arrangements CES can be available during evenings and weekends, providing an even greater level of learning flexibility.

Over a period of 4 months, entrepreneurs will receive:

• 3 two on-site learning sessions
• 8 webinars
• 35 personalized coaching hours per participant

Call CES at 1-877-444-5550  for more information or visit our website at www.cesclients.com.

CES can assist with seeking out funding support if needed.