 |
||||||||
The Choir’s Aboriginal Bursary Dinner an Exciting Success! Exquisite art, edifying speakers, spirited music, and delicious food all combined to form an unforgettable evening at the Aboriginal Bursary Dinner and Fine Art Silent Auction sponsored by the Bishop’s Gospel Choir. Held at the Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria on September12, the dinner was attended by renowned Vancouver Island First Nations artists, educators from throughout the region, as well as members of the diocese and the broader community. The theme for the evening was inspired by K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations artist Andy Everson’s 2008 giclée print “A New Song”, which he generously donated to our silent art auction.
Elders Ron and Deb George of the Cowichan First Nations opened the Aboriginal Bursary Dinner with the gift of a song and prayer. Chief Tony Hunt, O.B.C., hereditary chief of the KwaGulth people of Fort Rupert and Kingcome Inlet, donated an exceptional print entitled “Raven &Sisiutl”. Chief Hunt also made a very unexpected presentation during the dinner donating a rare second print, “St. John the Baptist”, to the auction. Coast Salish artist Douglas LaFortune of the Tsawout First Nation created an extraordinary original painting "Teachings" specifically for the Aboriginal Bursary event. We are so very grateful for each of our contributing artists' generous support of our Aboriginal Bursary project.
The Keynote speaker for the evening was Ms. Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, Director of the Office of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Victoria. Ms. Hunt-Jinnouchi spoke passionately about the need for the Aboriginal Bursary and the financial support it will provide to Aboriginal students across Vancouver Island. Anne Tenning, Victoria High School First Nations studies teacher and recipient of the 2008 Governor General's award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, spoke about the current and very keen need of computer technology for post-secondary Aboriginal students. The evening came to a dramatic close with the unveiling of Embracing Light from the Darkness.This national initiative organized by the Bishop’s Gospel Choir, approved by the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia and supported by the Anglican Church of Canada—will directly support Aboriginal students who follow the dark years of the residential school system. In a letter to the Bishop’s Gospel Choir, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada wrote of this national photographic essay project: “This is a wonderful project. It is a good news story. It represents genuine commitment to a future marked by hope. It is worthy of support not only within the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon but indeed across the whole church.” Please support our Aboriginal Bursary Project and First Nations Computer Fund with a donation. Whether your donation amount is $5 or $500… working together, we can make a difference! Find out more about our choir and our choir director. | ||||||||
~ another
strategic online marketing program ~
WordArt WebArtistry