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| David - I Am Raven |
Upcoming Performances - Please click on the flute
image below to link with our performance locations and dates.
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| Click on Cedar Songbird to find out more about performances... |
RECENT NEWS
February 2010
Member flutist and flute player, Rich Dube, has created a video about making food grade
ABS flutes. He showcases this video on Youtube and it is easy to see how this would be a tremendous class or flute circle project! For more information about incorporating
flutes into educational, community, and flute circle programs, also check out RIch's website, Northern Spirit Flutes.
Jay Chamakese plays flute for the Olympics! Way to go Jason! Wish we could
watch it too! :)
January 2010
Girl Power
Flutists Play for Local CoffeeHouse
Six of Bonanza
School’s Peaceful Night Flute Circle students performed Saturday night at the Peace Region Songwriters’ monthly
coffeehouse. Held at Dawson Creek’s “Under the Willow – A Cultural Café” the girls joined
with a variety of other Peace Country musicians during open mic sessions to share their music and songs. “Girl Power” as the girls called themselves, played their red cedar flutes for an audience
of 50 or more.
The girls offered
both original musical arrangements such as “Midnight Moon, Chickadee, Eagle’s
Cry and Song of the Wild” as well as a few
traditionals with their Native American style red cedar flutes. The girls played their own flutes or those belonging
to the Bonanza School music program as they played solo or in small groups…sharing
that mellow soothing sound for which these flutes are known.
The Peace Region
Songwriters’ Coffeehouse is held on the last Saturday of every month at Under the Willow. Girl
Power and other Peaceful Night Flute Circle students will undoubtedly be seen playing there over the next few months
as students eagerly compose and practice new songs.
December 2009
Peaceful Night Flute Circle and Bonanza School had a very inspiring and exciting visit with Saskatchewan
flute player, Jason Chamakese. Jason played songs from his debut CD, Midnight In Clearwater.
November 2009
Janina and the Peaceful Night Flute Circle performed for the Place At the Table Annual
Concert, a Peace Region Songwriter fundraiser for the Salvation Army Food Hamper Program. Approximately 12 students
played a variety of songs - Huron Carol, O Tannenbaum, Kumbaya, Silent Night, Cherokee Morning Song, and our own Windflower
song! Janina later played solo! Flutemaker, Rich Dube, from Northern Spirit Flutes, donated a flute while NANA
donated a book of songs to the cause. The concert made about $1000 for the Salvation Army.
October 2009
NANA is pleased to welcome new members, Rich Dube, Herb Stanley, and Mary Parslow to the circle!
Please check out their profiles on our "Caring" section of Hints and Insights.... AND don't forget to check out their websites
or contacts on our Links pages!
Thanksgiving - Members of NANA met in Edmonton for sharing time and inspiration. Looking
forward to the next time... it is hard to get together when we are spread out across three provinces... :)
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| A book of teachings and flute music.... (*from the website of David Bouchard) |
September 2009
*We've been excitedly
awaiting the launch of one of David's greatest ventures yet, "The Seven Sacred Teachings". This collaborative venture between
David and Dr. Joseph Martin, with artwork by Kristy Cameron, is a writing project which focuses upon seven teachings
that are integral to healthy living for all of humanity! "Seven Sacred Teachings" features seven flutes of
seven different types of wood and keys with seven different songs (made by flute maker and flutist, Swampfox) to
illustrate each of the sacred teachings in this book. Published in seven different languages, "Seven Sacred Teachings"
is a literary work like no other!
The book launch took
place at an Honorary Pow wow on September 21, 2009 at Fort Frances, Ontario. The event featured many honored guests in
a beautiful celebration set within a stunning setting - a highlight in David's journey, to be sure.
*Nicholle was honored
to perform several flute songs for the Opening Ceremonies for the World Skills Competitions... Students from all over the
world converged in Calgary to learn about and compete in a variety of skills!
Dawson Creek members
of the NANA Flute Circle are planning their first circle within the next month...stay tuned for times and dates, friends!
The Peaceful Night Flute Circle of Bonanza School, in northwestern Alberta, has expanded into Beginner (Peeps of the Peace... ), Junior and Senior
Levels! The Juniors received their flutes in mid-September and are playing and playing whenever their school schedule
permits! All of the Peaceful Night Flute Circle members are participating in the Alberta Arts Days Challenge this
September with an original song about the Bear Mountain Wind Park. The Song is entitled "Elemental Windflowers" by J. Carlstad.
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| Gwimu at World Skills |
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June 30
Nicholle and Friends shared their flute music with others at the National Aboriginal Day in Fort
MacMurray...
Dawson Creek, BC sees a growing interest in the music of the Native American (style) Flute as
the flutes are seen out and about at various coffee houses and art events. NANA welcomes several new faces to the circle
as individuals seek to purchase flutes of their own. Where there were only a few flutes in the locale in the past few
years, now over 50 flutes have been purchased or used by students and individuals in and around the community! The beauty
of music is in the sharing!
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May 2009
Members of Edmonton's French Canadian Music Theatre Company, Les Bucherons, have invested in
several Native American Style flutes... and are excitedly looking forward to adding the beauty of the flute's voice to their
educational and entertaining programs! Best wishes and best of luck to you, staff and associates of Les Bucherons!!!
We look forward to hearing more of you through NANA!
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April 2009
NANA's Launch of the Nana Flute Circle was successful, and is now officially a site where anyone
interested in sharing and learning about the flutes may converge!
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NANA will launch their official website on Earth Day, April 22nd!
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HISTORY OF NANA (Northern Alberta Native American Flute Circle)
NANA formed in mid-winter of 2009. David Bouchard (pictured above) has
played his flutes for several years, building up a personal collection which he takes with him as he travels the country making
presentations about literacy and his many award-winning books! Collaborating with fellow educators, Janina of SomeAre
Solstice, and Nicholle, a Mi'kmaq teacher and storyteller from Northern Alberta, David and the girls formed NANA (Northern
Alberta Native American Flute Circle).
Following their passion for the instrument and excited to share, the trio formed a Facebook
Group of the same name in February. Although most connectivity between the 20 + members occurs as a "cybercircle",
NANA held its first meeting at the River Cree Resort, outside Edmonton, in early April of 2009.
Members perform individually in classrooms, conferences, and storytelling circles, as well as
at local coffeehouses and community concerts, or just for their own benefit - always honoring the voice and legacy that is
the Native American Style Flute.
Many members are just in the process of learning or acquiring flutes, while some members are
flutemakers or seasoned flutists. Any who are interested in pursuing the interests related to the Native American Style
flutes are welcome!
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