Education Conference

MANITO AHBEE’S EDUCATION CONFERENCE:
Highlights include First Nations Planetarium & National Film Board Digital Storytelling Session

The Manito Ahbee Festival is not only about showcasing and celebrating Aboriginal music, art and culture, but is also about educating the next generation.

“As part of the Manito Ahbee Festival, the Education Conference completes the circle of learning and sharing First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture and traditions,” said Lisa Meeches, Chair of the Manito Ahbee Board of Governors.

The Manito Ahbee Education Conference takes place November 4, 5 and 6 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre for students Grades 7-12. The three-day event involves a curriculum combining both traditional teachings and the Arts. Workshop presenters will come from across Canada and the United States to share their
passion and expertise in interactive sessions involving traditional teachings, music, dance, and more. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Saving Our Mother Earth’

(SOME). SOMEone has to do it, and that SOMEone is you!

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Students and Educators will have a unique opportunity to look at the night sky in a whole new way at the MFNERC Portable Planetarium. Provided by the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, the inflatable dome, which stands five meters
in height by eight meters in diameter, is a night sky simulator featuring First Nations traditional knowledge and storytelling of the solar system, planets and constellations (www.mfnerc.org).

The National Film Board of Canada in collaboration with VANOC present Canada CODE Digital Storytelling Workshops part of the Cultural Olympiad's Digital Edition.

As one of a limited number of stops across Canada, the Manito Ahbee Education Conference will be captured in digital images taken by students, who will learn the steps and importance of storytelling. Participants who contribute to Canada CODE
will have the chance to have their work featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver (www.vancouver2010.com/code).

ABOUT MANITO AHBEE
Manito Ahbee: A Festival For All Nations takes place November 4 to 8 in Winnipeg, consisting of the following events:
• Education Conference (November 4-6)
• Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (November 5-6)
• Métis Soirée (November 7)
• Indigenous Marketplace and Tradeshow (November 7-8)
• International Competition Pow Wow (November 7-8)

Manito Ahbee – which means ‘where the Creator sits’ – honours a sacred site in Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park where Aboriginal people have gathered for hundreds of years to share teachings and wisdom. There are several petroforms at
this site including one shaped like a turtle that represents Turtle Island, which is another name for North America. Manito Ahbee was recognized in 2008 with Travel Manitoba’s Tourism Award in the category of Aboriginal Tourism. The Board of Governors, staff and organizers of Manito Ahbee express deep gratitude for all
participants, supporters and communities who have come together to make the festival what it is today. www.manitoahbee.com

Room is still available for registration (which includes lunch).

Details to sign-up and more information available at
www.manitoahbee.com/educationconference.html