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CBC
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
This documentary celebrates the powwow as a place of joy and resistance
Before she was a filmmaker, Hayley Morin was a child sitting beside her elders, listening to the drums. The powwow became her first muse — a space where memory, culture and community pulsed in every beat. Her documentary Under the Arbor transforms that personal relationship into a vibrant visual story, tracing the beauty and resilience of the powwow across generations. Born and raised in Enoch Cree Nation on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta, Morin grew up surrounded by dancers, beaders and drum groups. Though she never competed as a dancer herself, the powwow season was one of the most cherished parts of her childhood — a time of laughter, learning and gathering. "I've been attending the Enoch powwow for as long as I can remember — so long that I can't recall a summer without it," she says. "Watching the dancers and drums with my elders taught me so much about life and growing as an Indigenous woman." "Powwow has given me so much," Morin continues. "It connected me to my culture and family, and it became one of my first inspirations as a young filmmaker. The purpose of powwow is to bring people together — to share our culture, our medicine and our stories. I felt the world outside our arbors deserved to see that." That purpose is clear in Under the Arbor, a 44-minute documentary offering an intimate and rich portrait of contemporary Indigenous identity. The title refers to the arbor: the central, open-sided structure at a powwow where dancers, singers and drummers gather. Rather than presenting the powwow as spectacle, Morin's film invites audiences to learn about why these gatherings matter on an emotional and cultural level. Filmed over the summer of 2024 across Treaty 6 territory, the film follows a cast of characters as they prepare for, compete in and reflect on the powwow season. Morin's film brings together respected voices from the powwow trail, including celebrated emcee Hal Eagletail, drum group Cree Confederation and Fawn Wood, a Juno Award–winning singer-songwriter from Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Wood says being part of the film was an honour. "It's powerful to see our stories, laughter, music and everyday moments captured with such respect and honesty," she says. "To be included alongside family, friends and fellow artists made it truly special." For Morin, dance is more than performance — it's survival. Despite generations of oppression, the powwow has endured as a vibrant act of cultural resistance. As a filmmaker, Morin sees dance as a visual language that carries memory and meaning. "Our ancestors fought so hard to keep these traditions alive," she says. "Dancing feels like one of the most powerful ways we honour that fight — it's how we keep our spirits and stories moving." Morin also makes space for joy in the film — not as a distraction from hardship but as its own form of resistance. "You can't survive 400 years of colonization without finding reasons to laugh," she says. Wood agrees, saying that the powwow "has shaped who I am, not just as a singer, but as a mother, daughter, and Nehiyaw (Cree) and Salish woman. "Sharing my voice in this project felt like offering a piece of my heart to something greater. It's about celebrating our culture's beauty and honouring the resilience that keeps it alive." Morin hopes the film leaves audiences with a sense of the powwow's power and beauty. "I want people to feel the same connection and medicine that powwow has given me my whole life. It's about sharing the warmth, the magic and the spirit our people have protected for generations," she says.
CBC
29-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
First Nations warn Alberta's data centre approach won't attract big tech companies
The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but argue the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns this week in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government. "There are shovel-ready proposals backed by major industry players aligned with government objectives that will be left stranded without a change in proposed policy," the chiefs wrote. "Alberta should be a premier destination for hyperscale data centre investment. But strengths only matter if we act on them. Right now, Alberta's ability to execute and deliver on its promise is in question." Data centres are huge facilities housing the computing firepower needed for artificial intelligence and other applications. It can take an enormous amount of power to run and cool them. The chiefs say the amount of power the Alberta Electric System Operator has allotted to new projects falls short. The Alberta Electric System Operator said earlier this month that it has received requests from 29 proposed data centre projects representing more than 16,000 megawatts — more than 11 times the City of Edmonton's load. It said it will allow the connection of up to 1,200 megawatts of large load projects between now and 2028. "Alberta has never seen this level and volume of load connection requests," said AESO CEO Aaron Engen. "As the system operator, we are responsible for ensuring that new project connections do not compromise grid reliability. Because connecting all large loads seeking access would impair grid reliability, we established a limit that preserves system integrity while enabling timely data centre development in Alberta." The Alberta government has set a goal of attracting $100 billion in data centre investment over five years. Accommodating for hyperscalers But the chiefs wrote that the limit sends the wrong signal to tech powerhouses like Meta and Amazon. "The hyperscalers 'don't build small.' They think in gigawatts, because their global operations require that scale," they wrote. "Under the current proposal, not even one such flagship project may be fully realized here without years of delay, since 1,200 megawatts total divided among many projects signals that Alberta isn't prepared to accommodate a true hyperscaler's needs. "This sends an unintended but clear message to investors that Alberta's actions do not match its ambitions." The Alberta government supports the "balanced approach" the AESO is taking, said the press secretary for Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf. "Alberta aims to be the destination of choice for AI data centres in North America," Ashli Barrett said in a written statement. "At the same time, our government will always put the well-being of Albertans first and ensure data centre projects will not compromise the affordability or reliability of the electricity that millions of Albertans, First Nations, and our local industries depend on." Barrett added the 1,200-megawatt limit is short-term and should not be thought of as a cap. "It will enable data centre projects in advanced stages of planning and development to get started, while government works to develop a long-term framework for data centres, which will provide additional pathways for data centres projects to meet their power needs, including encouraging them to bring their own power." Chief Tony Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation northwest of Edmonton said his community is looking at taking an equity stake in a project, and discussions are in the early stages. He said First Nations want more than to be consulted — they are ready to invest. "Our nations have been growing. We've got young populations and this industry can bring some real training, some jobs, some long-term prosperity for our community," Alexis said in an interview.
Toronto Star
27-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
First Nations say Alberta data centre approach won't attract big tech players
CALGARY - The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government.
Winnipeg Free Press
27-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
First Nations say Alberta data centre approach won't attract big tech players
CALGARY – The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government. Data centres are huge facilities housing the computing firepower needed for artificial intelligence and other applications. They take an enormous amount of power to run and cool them. The Alberta Electric System Operator said earlier this month that it has received requests from 29 proposed data centre projects representing more than 16,000 megawatts — more than 11 times the City of Edmonton's load. It said it will allow the connection of up to 1,200 megawatts of large load projects between now and 2028 to ensure the reliability of Alberta's grid. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. The chiefs wrote that companies like Meta or Amazon don't build small, and the limit sends a signal that Alberta is not ready to meet those companies' needs or see a flagship project come to fruition. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
11-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Northern Lights College honours Indigenous students with graduation ceremony
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — For one convocation ceremony in Fort St. John, colonialism was replaced with pan-Indigenous culture. Caps and gowns were replaced with Métis sashes and commemorative feather carvings, as Northern Lights College (NLC) honoured its First Nations and Métis students with a graduation celebration and dinner at the Fort St. John Curling Club. It was a special moment for graduate Destiny Laprete. Laprete completed the Adult Dogwood, the B.C. certification for high school equivalency. A member of Enoch Cree Nation, Laprete was the valedictorian of her class at NLC's Dawson Creek campus. 'I got to participate in a lot of Indigenous cultural events throughout the year. I think [it] really made me get back in touch with myself and my family,' Laprete said. 'It was the first time that I've ever been in school and actually been honoured and given the chance to embrace who I am.' Honourees from as many as 13 First Nations were among the graduates, including some from Doig River First Nation (DRFN), the Métis Nation, the Enoch Cree Nation and the Tahltan First Nation. Michael Calvert, the director of Indigenous education at NLC, conceived the event and felt the celebration was a great success. 'When we talk about graduation, we always think about convocation,' said Calvert. 'It's very colonized, very formal. 'It's important for Indigenous people to be able to celebrate in a way that is about their culture, their identity and their lived experiences, and this is the opportunity for them to do that.' Calvert said a big part of the success in the event came from Karen Tom. Tom is the Indigenous project facilitator for NLC. Tom said watching the event unfold as it did 'brings pride back' to First Nations culture, adding it makes Indigenous students 'stand a little taller.' 'It's a great honour that we could come together and do this,' said Tom. 'You feel the strength of each other and just honour our ancestors by doing this.' An opening prayer from Doig River First Nation Elder Gerry Attachie and a performance from DRFN drummers began the evening. After dinner, additional performances included powwow dancing from School District 60 Indigenous education students, along with drummers from Kehewin Cree Nation and dancers from Driftpile Cree Nation of Northern Alberta. The night was topped off by a performance from Penny Goulet, a fiddler who played several numbers. Several graduates were also awarded scholarships through Peace Country Petroleum, a two-year commitment from the company for $25,000 towards Indigenous students. The NLC Indigenous graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, June 5th. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
