“Children of the Rainbow Drum Group†are a First Nations/Aboriginal Children’s drum group that was created in Dec/04 by Nadine Gagne... The children’s ages range from 1 to 14 years and currently there is 30 children registered with the group. A performance can showcase anywhere from 5-20 children, depending on your interest or accommodation. The group uses a pow wow drum and hand drums in their performances. Children of the Rainbow Drum group represent peace, harmony and friendship and there are many First Nations/Aboriginal cultures (Cree, Mohawk, Metis, etc) that are represented within the group; as well as non-Aboriginal. It is open to all cultures and colors, but has “First Nations/Aboriginal†singing and traditions, as its main content and focus. The songs are from a variety of First Nations and range from traditional to contemporary. The children have each chosen their favorite color of the rainbow and have ribbon shirts and dresses in those colors. The group is run through volunteer work, community donations and parent participation. COTR drum group are currently working towards acquiring more hand drums, moccasins and new outfits for all the children. The group has had more than 170 performances within the last three years at venues such as The Vogue Theatre, Canada Place Stadium on Canada Day, Surrey Children’s Festival, Aboriginal Day at the Vancouver Art Gallery, The World Forum, and many other numerous ECE conferences and Aboriginal celebrations. The group is a strong supporter of literacy, early childhood education and promoting First Nations cultural pride. The Coordinator of the group - Nadine Gagne.. is from the Metis Nation. She is an Aboriginal Infant Development Consultant, Supervisor and AIDP Regional Advisor for AIDP programs within the Fraser region (Ladner to chilliwack, tri-cities and everything in between). She works full-time at Kla-How-Eya Aboriginal Centre’s in Surrey, B.C. with families who have children aged 0-3 who has special needs or require extra support. Alot of her work is with Aboriginal foster children and that is where her heart is. She received the BC Aboriginal Childcare Award (Nov 05) and has been chosen as one of the 12 National Aboriginal Youth Role Models for Canada for 2005/06. She has spent the last 6 years singing with the children that attend Kla-How-Eya’s ECE programs, as well as writing First Nations songs for infants, toddlers and young children. Most of her songs such as My Moccasins, Wapoose Stew and The Bannock Song have been written to incorporate the Cree language. Nadine released her first Aboriginal contemporary children’s CD - "My Moccasins" in November 2007 and it also features COTR Drum group. The CD was produced by Jason Burnstick - Canadian Aborignal Music Award winner and JUNO nominee.For more information or if you are interested in booking a performance. As well, as purchasing a CD, please contact me via email at:
[email protected] look forward to speaking with you.To see a video of us performing at the World Forum...click on the following link:http://www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca/video/worldforum.htm
Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Rainbow
