The Prairie region in Canada includes the three western provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Indigenous peoples in this region include Métis, First Nations represented by several main nations, namely; Cree, Blood, Ojibway and Blackfoot, Dakota, Lakota, Slave, Chippewayan, Beaver and Sarcee(1).
Ojibway from the Long Plain First Nation in Manitoba, Lisa Meeches nurtured a career in media and communications while being guided by her traditional teachings. In the 1980s Lisa began as a television reporter when native media was just taking hold in Canada. With her traditional values central to her approach to sharing truths and stories Lisa has been a trailblazer in building greater awareness of Aboriginal issues with mainstream audiences. Lisa’s accomplishments gained her peer recognition with the 2007 Media and Communication National Aboriginal Achievement Award(11).
Aboriginal Media Services (AMS) – The evolution of the Moccasin Telegraph is an Aboriginal media selection and placement service. AMS works with clients to ensure that they reach Canada’s Aboriginal market efficiently and effectively(12). To make sure Indigenous news, events, public service announcements and reports of community initiatives are accessible throughout the Prairie Provinces; the AMS publishes and circulates Sweetgrass-Aboriginal Newspaper of Alberta(13) and Sage-Aboriginal Newspaper of Saskatchewan(14).
This article is a non-comprehensive and living document that provides an overview of artistic activities in the region. It will be revised as necessary as part of our ongoing process of continuous updates.
1) http://www.aboriginalcanada.com/firstnation/dirfnab.htm
11) http://www.naaf.ca/html/l_meeches_e.html
12) http://www.ammsa.com/ams/index.htm
13) http://www.ammsa.com/sweetgrass/index.htm
14) http://www.ammsa.com/sage/index.htm