Latest news with #NeemuEgwah
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
First Nations pavilion withdraws from Folklorama due to wildfires
Folklorama's First Nations Pavilion is seen in an undated image. (Neemu Egwah) Folklorama is losing one pavilion next month due to the ongoing wildfire situation in Manitoba. The organization announced Wednesday that Neemu-Egwah Inc., the organizers of the First Nations pavilion, have withdrawn from the festival this year. 'With the province in a state of emergency, Neemu-Egwah's focus must shift to supporting those who have been displaced by the wildfires,' executive director Bffy Handel said in a news release. 'Many evacuees are carrying the weight of trauma after being forced to leave their homes. 'In this moment, it is essential that space, safety and extra care be given to those most affected.' In addition to the loss of the First Nations pavilion, Folklorama announced a change to another pavilion due to wildfire response efforts. The Brazilian pavilion will move from the week of Aug. 3 to 9 to the week of Aug. 10 to 16 due to the RBC Convention Centre being used as an emergency shelter for evacuees. The pavilion will also move from the third floor of the convention centre's south building to the second floor of the north building. Folklorama runs throughout Winnipeg from Aug. 3 to 16.
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Manitoba wildfires prompt First Nations pavilion to withdraw from Folklorama
Due to the impact Manitoba's wildfire situation is having on communities, organizers of the First Nations pavilion have decided to cancel their participation in the 2025 Folklorama Festival in Winnipeg. With the province in a state of emergency once again, the focus must shift to supporting those who have been displaced by the wildfires, Buffy Handel, executive director of Neemu-Egwah Inc., the First Nations pavilion's sponsoring organization, said in a news release on Wednesday. "Many evacuees are carrying the weight of trauma after being forced to leave their homes. In this moment, it is essential that space, safety and extra care be given to those most affected." Folklorama, which began in 1970 and labels itself as the longest-running multicultural festival in the world, runs this year from Aug. 3 to 16. Executive director Teresa Cotroneo said in the news release that the organization is disappointed but fully stands with the decision. "The well-being of those affected must come first." Another change due to the wildfires is the Brazilian pavilion moving from week one (Aug. 3-9) to week two (Aug. 10-16) and relocating from the third floor of the RBC Convention Centre's south building to the second floor of the north building. The adjustment is necessary to accommodate an emergency shelter for evacuees.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
First Nations pavilion backs out of Folkolorama because of wildfires
The First Nations pavilion has withdrawn from this year's Folkolorama festival because of the impact wildfires are having on Indigenous communities. Buffy Handel, executive director of Neemu-Egwah, the pavilion's sponsoring organization, said in Folkolorama news release that the decision was a difficult one. 'With the province in a state of emergency, Neemu Egwah's focus must shift to supporting those who have been displaced by the wildfires. Many evacuees are carrying the weight of trauma after being forced to leave their homes. In this moment, it is essential that space, safety and extra care be given to those most affected,' Handel said in the release. JOHN WOOD / FREE PRESS FILES A performer at the First Nations pavilion at Folklorama in August 2012. The festival announced Wednesday that the pavilion has withdrawn from the 2025 festivcal. Folklorama executive director Teresa Cotroneo said it's disappointing the pavilion won't be part of the festival this year but stands by the decision. 'The wildfire situation is having a tremendous impact on our neighbours, and the well-being of those affected must come first,' she said in the release. The pavilion was set to open on the second floor of the RBC Convention Centre's north building on Aug. 10, during the second week of the festival. Wildfire evacuees are staying at an emergency shelter at that location, among other places. The Brazilian pavilion had been scheduled to be held on the third floor of the centre's south building on Week 1 but has been postponed to Week 2. It is also moving to where the Indigenous pavilion was to open. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'Since learning of the province's needs for the RBC Convention Centre, we've worked closely with the Brazilian pavilion's organizers to ensure they could remain part of this year's festival,' Cotroneo said. 'Moving to a different week comes with logistical challenges, and we're incredibly grateful for their flexibility. We'll continue to support them every step of the way.' fpcity@
