Field Law Hosts Gala To Celebrate Metis And First Nations Youth Arts Competition
Three Aboriginal youth recognized for their artistic talent
EDMONTON, June 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Field Law, a regional law firm with offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Yellowknife was proud to host a gala celebration tonight recognizing the winners of the Field Law Métis and First Nations Youth Art Competition at Catalyst Theatre in Edmonton.
Community organizations and leaders, and members of the Aboriginal community gathered with Field Law to support, honour and celebrate artistic achievements and talent of Métis and First Nation youth across Alberta and the Northwest Territories. In addition to the awards presentations, guests were treated to a traditional blessing, a hoop battle, and two contemporary dances.
Candidates were asked to create works of art portraying their winter cultural traditions in the form of paint, charcoal, ink or pencil, etc., as long as the piece remained two-dimensional. The competition was created to provide Native students the opportunity to have their creativity showcased on a larger scale. Entries were judged on originality, creativity, interpretation of the theme, technique, composition, and degree of difficulty. The competition was open to Métis and First Nations youth ages 12 to 18 who were enrolled in an Alberta or Northwest Territories junior high or high school.
"Choosing the top three entries was difficult for the judges as they were impressed with the talent of the artists and the quality of inspirational artwork submitted," said Jon Faulds, Partner at Field Law and leader of the Indian Residential Schools Group. "The more than 20 entries reflects the abundance of artistic talent in First Nation and Métis communities. Field Law is honoured to have the opportunity to provide a platform to showcase some of that talent."
Alesian LaRocque was awarded the grand prize with total cash winnings of $500. Her art will be exhibited on Field Law's Indian Residential Schools Group 2012 Holiday card, in addition to being displayed at their Yellowknife office. Second place went to Hannah Cardinal, taking home $250 and third went to Alice Laboucane earning a cash reward of $100.
The gala was a component of the Rubaboo Arts Festival, put on by Alberta Aboriginal Arts. This 11-day multidisciplinary festival showcases new Aboriginal plays, music, dance, art, food, family and youth events, artist workshops, and an Aboriginal craft market. Rubaboo is open to everyone, providing the opportunity for audiences to get a taste of the amazing work being created by members of Canada's Aboriginals
The competition judging panel consisted of two Field Law employees, Aboriginal actor Dakota House from the popular television series North of 60 and Christine Sokaymoh Frederick, an aboriginal actress of Metis and Cree descent and cofounder of Alberta Aboriginal Arts.
Being involved in the community has always been a top priority for Field Law. The firm has a solid background working with the members of numerous First Nations and Métis communities in Alberta and in the Northwest Territories. Their team of dedicated professionals has developed a thorough understanding of the many issues facing these individuals and communities.
Contest organizers hope to make the competition an annual event and continue to support Aboriginal youth in Canada.
For more information, visit www.fieldlaw.com.
About Indian Residential Schools Group
The Indian Residential Schools Group conceptualized and executed the Youth Art Competition. The group's main task is to support and counsel victims and survivors of the Indian Residential School era. The group represents over a thousand survivors in the Independent Assessment Process (IAP) which compensates former students for abuse at Residential Schools.
About Field Law
Field Law is a regional law firm with offices in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta as well as Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. More than 100 lawyers work together to provide a wide variety of legal services to businesses and institutions in corporate and commercial matters, litigation and dispute resolution, Northern Aboriginal, labour and employment, insurance, occupational health and safety, privacy, professional regulatory and medical malpractice issues. Additionally the firm provides private services to individuals including estate planning services and real estate transactions. Field Law is a member of State Capital Group, allowing clients access to trusted, dependable legal representation anywhere in the world their business takes them.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Robyn MacLean
Brookline Public Relations Inc.
Phone: (403) 538-5641 ext.111
Email: [email protected]
Share this article