2006 Projects |
New Indigenous Voices 2006
New Indigenous Voices 2006 Flyer [147kb jpeg]
AATI collaborated with City Lore and the Bowery Poetry Club to present the first representatives of Aboriginal Australia, Ms.Vanessa Fisher (Dungibara, Wakka Wakka) and Mr. Jimmy Smith (Wiradjuri) to feature in the 4th annual People's Poetry Gathering which brought poems from the World's Endangered and Contested Languages to New York to be read and performed in their Mother Tongues and in English. Ms. Fisher presented poems and stories from her Dreaming in her own languages and in English, accompanied by Mr. Smith on didjeridu. While in New York, they conducted storytelling, dance and painting workshops at schools and community events in Manhattan and Queens.
AATI also collaborated with the American Indian Community House to present Ms. Fisher and Mr. Smith at their annual month long Indian Summer 2006 festival.
People's Poetry Gathering
Friday May 5, 3pm
4th People's Poetry Gathering
Stones of Civilization: Endangered Language Poets
Poetry readings by world wide endangered language poets
UNITED NATIONS BUILDING: Reservations necessary, call 212.529.1955 or go to www.peoplespoetry.org FREE
Saturday May 6, 2:15pm
4th People's Poetry Gathering
Oceania Poetry
Performance of traditional dance and storytelling accompanied by didjeridu and cultural workshops.
CUNY (City University of New York): 365 5th Avenue at 34th St.
Admission: $12 Members, Seniors; $10 Students. Call 212.529.1955 or go to www.peoplespoetry.org
Saturday May 6, 8pm
Indian Summer 2006
Performance of traditional dance and storytelling accompanied by didjeridu and cultural workshops.
AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSE: 404 Lafayette St., 8th Fl.
Subway: Take N, R, or W to 8thSt./NYU or 6 to Astor Place.
Admission: $10. Call 212.598.0100 or go to www.aich.org
Biographies
Vanessa Fisher (Dungibara, Wakka Wakka) was born in Cherbourg, S.E. Queensland, Australia, a former Aboriginal Reserve, surrounded by many different clans/tribes that were brought together under the Aboriginal Protection Act 1897. Ms. Fisher is an accomplished visual and performing artist, involved in community cultural education and development work in Southern Queensland. She has practical competency in Wakka Wakka, Yuggera, Turrbul, Gubbi Gubbi and the languages of the Maranoa and Dawson Rivers, and has knowledge of the languages that are spoken in Arnhem Land. Ms. Fisher teaches Duungidjawu to Dungidau descendants and is a researcher of Aboriginal languages with the State Library of Queensland. She works with Government and non-government agencies contributing language information for welcome to country, naming projects or places and for translation of material into Aboriginal languages. Ms. Fisher's art is held in the collections of the National Museum of Australia, the Powerhouse Museum, the Queensland Museum, Public Art at Roma Parklands, the Bowen Bridge Heritage Trail as well as in private collections. She has extensive experience in traditional dance and song, and has performed in dance groups around Australia, in both contemporary and traditional settings. Her story-telling skills have ranged from community projects to enabling the aged and disabled to tell their life stories.
Jimmy Smith (Wiradjuri) is from central New South Wales, Australia and has been living in Queensland for the past 15 years. Mr. Smith has practical competency in the language of the Wiradjuri people. He is an accomplished artist and didgeridoo player and teacher, working extensively in schools and colleges in South East Queensland using his cultural and linguistic experience and knowledge in his presentation and performance to bring about social change. He has developed and implemented his own indigenous education program. Mr. Smith has traveled widely both in Australia and overseas in his capacity as an artist and performer. He has performed across North America and at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York.
[ top ]AATI is grateful to the following organizations for their generosity and support; LMCC's Fund for Creative Communities/NYSCA, Manhattan Community Arts Fund/DCA, American Australian Association, People's Poetry Gathering, Australia Council, Hotel Chandler, AICH, Victorian Corporation for Aboriginal Languages, Australian Consulate General and Urban Oasis.
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