NP-UN Western Bureau.
Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers held an Open House celebrating Aboriginal and Ukrainian cultures at the Shumka Dance Centre in Edmonton, September 30 and October 1.
The weekend event, titled Bannock & Borscht, was part of of Alberta Culture Days and the City of Edmonton’s Canada 150 celebrations, and provided a venue where people could come and view the various similarities between Aboriginal and Ukrainian cultures, explained Darka Tarnawsky, Executive Director of Shumka.
For example, both use beading, embroidery, natural fabrics and animal hides in the costumes, she added.
As well, this was an opportunity to spread the word about Ancestors & Elders – a project borne from a desire to connect the Ukrainian settler experience to that of the indigenous people of Treaty 6 territory.
In a production to feature a cast of Shumka Dancers and multidisciplinary indigenous artists, Shumka’s goal is to share a story of the first Ukrainian newcomers to Canada, exploring the shared values – as well as respected differences – between Ukrainian and First Nations people.
Ancestors & Elders will have its premiere April 27 and 28, 2018 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. It will feature the 50-minute original work plus a second act which will include Shumka’s regional dances and Aboriginal numbers.
Participants at Bannock & Borscht had the opportunity to taste free samples of bannock and borscht as well as purchase other culinary delights from both Aboriginal and Ukrainian cultures.
The celebration also featured music and dance by the Shumka Dancers and Shumka School of Dance. There were also other special exhibits: a pioneer exhibit from the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Aboriginal and Ukrainian costume displays, visual arts exhibits including works by Lana Whiskeyjack and Svitlana Kravchuk, hands-on craft activities including wheat-weaving and beading with artists from the Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts, and poetry readings by Anna Marie Sewell.
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