Tulita

Jaime RT was invited to teach fiddle in Tulita, NT as part of the Dene-Metis Unity Accord which took place in that community, mid-February, 2007. She is standing in the back with accompanist Lewis Beck. Teacher Allison is in the foreground on the right.

Tulita has special, poignant meaning for the Kole Crook Fiddle Association. Our association's namesake, Kole, was on his way to this community on December 31, 2001 to play for a New Years' Eve dance when the plane he was riding in struck a mountain in bad weather. All on board died, including Kole himself, so it was with a sense of special significance that Jaime and Lewis went there. Coincidentally enough, Jaime is exactly the same age as Kole would be if he were alive today.

The occasion for this workshop was the Unity Accord which took place in Tulita mid-February, 2007. The Dene and Metis people, at loggerheads for so many years, had decided to come together in unity at last and work together for the sake of present and future generations. A week of cultural activities preceded the accord itself, activities such as this fiddling workshop. Lewis and Jaime worked together over a four-day period, teaching fiddle at Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita. At the end of the workshop they gave a concert at the accord signing ceremony itself, to enthusiastic community response.

President Norwegian and Grand Chief Andrew check out their respective gifts--a Dene drum for Mr. Norwegian and a Metis fiddle for Grand Chief Andew.

After both men signed the Unity Accord, they stood up, shook hands and then hugged each other. One can't help but wish that all the world's leaders would do likewise!

Ft. Good Hope's Chief Lucy Jackson and Daughter Jayda (one of our young fiddlers) with Comedic Actor Leslie Nielsen.

As a boy, Mr. Nielsen spent several years in Tulita when his father, an RCMP officer, was stationed there back in the 1930's. He came at Accord coordinator Eddie Kaulosok's invitation and, after a few days, declared, "I haven't slept so well in years!"

Unity Accord Coordinator Eddie Kaulosok--in blue shirt on left--with Metis President Rocky Norwegian and Sahtu Dene Grand Chief Frank Andrew (with representative of the future generation seemingly hanging off their every word!)