Remix: Voices of Aboriginal Women

Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal media artists collaborate on International Women’s Day 2006

Montréal, February 23nd 2006 _ Marking International Women’s Day, on March 8th 2006, Quebec Native Women (QNW), Studio XX, and Upgrade Montréal invites you to an evening of performances and discussion entitled Remix: Voices of Aboriginal Women – Artists Demonstrating Against Violence in Celebration of International Women’s Day, at the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT).

While violence remains a taboo problem that affects many women, the event is meant to raise awareness regarding this reality (of physical, psychological, economical, political and social nature) faced by Aboriginal women of Quebec and Canada. The evening will begin with a performance by Algonquin singer Fanny Wylde and Montreal audio artist Alexis O’Hara, combining traditional singing and electronic sounds, which will be followed by a modern storytelling performance by media artist Mélissa M. Dupuis. Multidisciplinary Abenaki artist, Christine Sioui, will present her version of the Huron-Wendatt creation myth within a multimedia installation called Tortue et Femme céleste, while artists Taqralik Partridge and Nina Segalowitz, who have collaborated with the Montreal Symphonic Orchestra in 2005, will perform throat singing. In closing the evening, a roundtable will take place involving diverse community workers in the promotion of Aboriginal non-violence in order to deepen the reflection about violence. During the event, the 5th issue of .dpi, Studio XX’s online periodical, will be launched. Finally, the event also welcomes the involvement of young Aboriginal artists with the participation of terminus1525.ca.

The organisations:
_Founded in 1974, Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW), a non-profit oragnization, represents women from the First Nations in Quebec and Aboriginal women living in urban areas. We advocate on behalf of the Rights of Aboriginal women and their families. We support Aboriginal women in their efforts to better their living conditions.
_Since its foundation in 1996, Studio XX – an artist centre engaged in the exploration, creation and critique of technological art – marks International Women’s Day via the dissemination of works prompting reflection within a cyberfeminist context.
_Every month since 2004, Upgrade Montréal holds on a volunteer-basis an intimate gathering related to culture, art and technology, usually at the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT). Upgrade Montréal is part of an international network with Upgrades in 19 cities across the globe.

It is with great enthusiasm that QNW collaborates with artistic and engaged organisations in order to open up the dialogue on non-violence with the aim of finding solutions to end violence while also celebrating Aboriginal women, their artistic practice, as well as their empowerment. The event is open to all, and is free. Doors open at 7pm at the Society for Arts and Technology (1195 St-Laurent).