Sagkeeng Dancers WIN!

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

Sagkeeng's Finest receive warm welcome arriving in Winnipeg. . .
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/v/i5P-s9K8lsM
- - -

Jubilant arrival at the airport after their Canada's Got Talent victory. . .
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/v/4oOr9cTUuEU
- - -

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

May 16th, 2012 - Dallas and Brandon Courchene, and Vince O'Laney of Sagkeeng's Finest are being honoured this week for their victory in the Canada's Got Talent competition.

Manitobans will gather to honour the First Nations youth.

The trio will be on stage for a special performance of their unique form of traditional clogging and tap dancing - at the Legislative Building Rotunda, 12:30 p.m., this Thursday, May 17th.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today offered his congratulations, "This is truly a positive expression of art and culture by First Nation young people and an exceptional demonstration of support by the Canadian public. . .These young men are tremendous role models for all youth as beacons of hope and opportunity. They believed in themselves, worked extremely hard and have achieved incredible success. Their talents, determination and enthusiasm are inspiring to all First Nation peoples and clearly all of Canada."

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger offered congratulations: "Manitoba is home to so many unique and talented artists. I'm proud to see Sagkeeng's Finest recognized on such a prominent national stage. . .Congratulations to Dallas, Brandon and Vince for capturing the imagination of Canadians with their creative take on traditional dance."

Besides all the feel-good accolades, the trio won $100,000, a spot in CityTY's New Year's Eve show, a chance to perform in Las Vegas, a trip to Tobago and a Nissan GT-R.

- - -
May 15th, 2012 - And the winner is. . .Sagkeeng's Finest!

Following weeks of intense competition, the Sagkeeng traditional First Nations dance trio won the Canada's Got Talent contest.

sagkeengdancers.jpg (225.09 KiB) Viewed 4492 times

(Sagkeeng's Finest, the first-ever winner of Canada's Got Talent)
HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGE: http://www.turtleisland.org/images/sagkeengdancers.jpg

By a clear majority, the traditional dance trio was the country's highest vote-getter and will take home the grand prize of $100,000 (Cdn), a brand new Nissan GT-R, tickets for an all-inclusive trip to the island of Tobago, a spot in Citytv's New Year's Bash, a chance to perform in a Las Vegas show, and the title of Canada's Most Talented Act.

"The First Nation's traditional dance trio are outstanding role models - not only for their community, but for all Canadian youth," said Ed Robinson, Executive Producer, Canada's Got Talent, Rogers Media. "Their spirit captured the hearts of the nation, and their story is a testament to what hard work, dedication and commitment can achieve. We are proud to bring this unique act to a national stage."

Members of Sagkeeng First Nation, Vincent O'Laney (17), and brothers Brandon (18) and Dallas Courchene (17) formed Sagkeeng's Finest when they heard about Canada's Got Talent. Their journey began in Winnipeg at the casting tour in September 2011, followed by the Live Theatre Audition Tour (December 2011) and live semifinals (April 2012). In the Live Finals, Sagkeeng's Finest performed to a mash-up of Raghav's "Fire" and Metro Station's "Shake It", with a fusion of traditional clogging and tap.

The performance earned them the title of 'most improved' from judge Stephan Moccio, and 'biggest risk-taker' from judge Measha Brueggergosman, while fellow judge Martin Short said the group represents "pure joy." Sagkeeng's Finest is a uniquely-Canadian talent that struck a chord with communities across the country.

Canada's Got Talent is the largest national talent search in Canadian television history and features a colourful array of hopeful stars, including comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, dancers and singers all vying for a chance to perform on national television and win the coveted title. This original series is a tribute to the rich talents that define and characterize Canada's diversity.

[admin]

May 16, 2012

Assembly of First Nations Congratulates “Sagkeeng’s Finest” Inspiring First Nations and all Canadians to Follow Dreams

(Ottawa, ON) –Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today offered congratulations to “Sagkeeng’s Finest” on winning the first season of Canada’s Got Talent.

“This is truly a positive expression of art and culture by First Nation young people and an exceptional demonstration of support by the Canadian public,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. “These young men are tremendous role models for all youth as beacons of hope and opportunity. They believed in themselves, worked extremely hard and have achieved incredible success. Their talents, determination and enthusiasm are inspiring to all First Nation peoples and clearly all of Canada.”

The group of three young men – brothers Brandon and Dallas Courchene and Vincent O’Laney from Sagkeeng First Nation near Fort Alexander, Manitoba – were declared winners of the eight week national talent competition at the finale Monday evening.

The winnings include $100,000, a spot in CityTY’s New Year’s Eve show, a chance to perform in Las Vegas, a trip to Tobago and a Nissan GT-R. They were the only finalists from Manitoba.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN and National Chief Atleo on Twitter @AFN_Updates, @AFN_Comms and @NCAtleo.

-30-

[admin]

Manitobans will gather to honour First Nations youth who won Canada's Got Talent contest

The trio will be on stage at the Legislative Building Rotunda
at 12:30 p.m., this Thursday, May 17
to honour Sagkeeng's Finest - including a special performance of their unique fusion of traditional clogging and tap dancing.

May 15, 2012

PREMIER CONGRATULATES SAGKEENG'S FINEST
- - -
Special Performance to be held Thursday
At the Legislative Building

Premier Greg Selinger today congratulated Dallas and Brandon Courchene, and Vince O'Laney of Sagkeeng's Finest for taking the top prize at the first-ever Canada's Got Talent competition.

"Manitoba is home to so many unique and talented artists. I'm proud to see Sagkeeng's Finest recognized on such a prominent national stage," said Selinger. "Congratulations to Dallas, Brandon and Vince for capturing the imagination of Canadians with their creative take on traditional dance."

Sagkeeng's Finest was formed last summer and eliminated 11 other finalists Monday evening to win the top prize of $100,000, a trip to Tobago, a sports car, a chance to perform in Las Vegas and an appearance at a televised New Year's Eve party.

"All Manitobans can be proud of what these talented young men from Sagkeeng have accomplished," said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson. "We've always known that many of Canada's most exciting up-and-coming performers come from right here in Manitoba and now the rest of Canada knows it too."

The minister invited all Manitobans to the Legislative Building Rotunda at 12:30 p.m., this Thursday, May 17 to honour Sagkeeng's Finest and take in a special performance of their unique fusion of traditional clogging and tap dancing.

- 30 -

[admin]

May 17, 2012

SAGKEENG'S FINEST INDUCTED INTO ORDER OF BUFFALO HUNT

Premier Greg Selinger officially inducted Dallas and Brandon Courchene, and Vince O'Laney of Sagkeeng's Finest into Manitoba's Order of the Buffalo Hunt today following a special performance by the dance group at the Legislative Building.

"Vince, Dallas and Brandon have inspired Canadians young and old with their electrifying live performances that are bringing traditional dance to an entirely new audience," said Selinger. "Sagkeeng's Finest are also Manitoba's finest and I'm pleased to recognize their achievement by inducting them into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt."

Sagkeeng's Finest broke into the mainstream on the TV show Canada's Got Talent, winning the show's top prize Monday evening for their unique fusion of traditional jigging, clogging and
tap dancing.

"These young men are keeping the strong artistic traditions of Aboriginal people alive through hard work, determination and creativity," said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson. "What they are doing to make traditional Aboriginal dance exciting and relevant to a contemporary mainstream Canadian audience is nothing short of remarkable."

The minister noted Sagkeeng's Finest will also be performing at the nationally-televised seventh annual Manito Ahbee Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards Nov. 2 at the MTS Centre.

The Order of the Buffalo Hunt was founded in 1957 to recognize the outstanding and distinctive contributions of leaders in areas such as politics, business, sports and entertainment. Dallas, Brandon and Vince are believed to be the youngest members ever inducted into the order.

- 30 -