BIGG Entertainment Puts Musicians in Spotlight

Youth from Makwa Sahgaiehcan takes dream to the real world 

By Timothy Lewis for the Indigenous Times Newspaper

Adam Jack is an aspiring musician, entertainer and entrepreneur. It is under these aspirations that he founded BIGG Entertainment, a concert/event promotion agency that will also act as a vehicle to launch his music career. Adam has collaborated with industry names such as Karl Wolf and Danny Fernandes and opened for Joey Stylez. BIGG Entertainment is the next logical step in achieving his dreams.

Another facet of BIGG is to bring other talented and aspiring Aboriginal youth from across Saskatchewan together under one agency. The agency however, is not be confused as management or a label, and those interested in being on the roster should contact Adam Jack directly.

On the events roster; BIGG will partner with clothing designers to present music in combination with a live fashion show. It will be a platform for both new material by Adam Jack and fresh designs by the aspiring designer. Adam is currently working on his debut album that will be released fall 2012.

BIGG Entertainment is one of the top three finalists for the Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge (AYIC). Adam will present his business plan to the judges on March 23, 2012, which will determine his placing.

Not only is Adam a musician but he is also an actor and has performed with Burning Sun Productions based out of Regina/Moose Jaw, and last finished a tour with the production “Spirits of the Trail”  where he portrayed Sitting Bull.

Adam Jack is a youth from Makwa Sahgaiehcan (Loon Lake) First Nation and is based out of Turtleford, SK and a proud father of two; his daughter Shenoa and his son, Valgan. We sat down with Adam and asked him how his journey in music, entertainment and business began, and where he envisions it in the near future.

I Times: What gave you the confidence to start your own company?

Adam: My dad, Arthur Jack and my grandfather, John Frazer. They always encouraged me to never give up on my dreams and at the same time always stressed self-education; and those are my goals.

I Times: What were your major obstacles on your path to success?

Adam: We were never wealthy, not by any means. My Dad is an artist, working as a sculptor, which can bring in good money, but it is difficult to find and receive commissions with a reliable frequency. My mom was a stay at home mom. She worked two part time jobs, but tired of that and eventually began University for social work. Money gets tight, especially amongst three siblings—my brother, sister and I.
I graduated from Sakewew High School in 2008, after originally dropping out of high school, which was a terrible mistake and I still regret it today. I have found Education is the key to success.
I am constantly writing and creating music. I read every book or article about business and the entertainment industry I can get my hands on. If I am unsure about something, I ask questions, though I am fortunate to have outlets for doing so. I would not be anywhere near where I am today without a curiosity and propensity to learn, ask questions and self-reflect.

I Times: What other competitions do you plan to enter after AYIC?

Adam: I’m looking into a few actually, although I’m also getting events and performances booked; there is no success without the proper ground work.

I Times: What advice do you have for other Aboriginal youth who want to start a business?

Adam: Dream big and never give up, but make sure you educate yourself as much as you can. Also, do your homework, know what you’re getting yourself into and set realistic expectations, otherwise you will set yourself up for failure. Dream BIGG, but dream smart as well.

I Times: Tell me about the current album you are creating?

Adam: My debut album is drawn from my influences like James Brown, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Dallas Green and Sara Bareillies, to name a few. These are artists whose sound and aesthetic I really dig.
I am not conforming to a particular sound so much as a music style. The album will fuse jazz, blues, soul, R&B and urban-dance sounds. The only real constant sound, if I can say that, would be the symphonic sound – lots of strings, and pianos and possibly horns.
Thematically, the album is about the idea of love as a roller coaster ride. When in love, one minute you can feel completely fulfilled, and the next suddenly feel utterly shattered and empty.
Because of the complexity on the subject of emotion, and partly because of the different twists in reference to many musical styles, this body of work is called “Jack of Hearts”. It is derived from the term jack of all trades and the obvious in regards to my name.

Contact Information:
Website: www.biggentertainment.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/biggentertainment.ca
Twitter: twitter.com/JustGoBIGG and
twitter.com/theAdamJackShow
Phone: (306) 480-5444
Email: adam@biggentertainment.ca

Summer 2012 marks 20 years of operation for Wanuskewin
Special Events and Programs Planned for the Summer at Wanuskewin Heritage Park


By Ryan Moccasin for Indigenous Times Newspaper

A new season of cultural programs and events is just around the corner for Wanuskewin Heritage Park.  The park has been in operation for 20 years and the staff is currently preparing for the busy summer months ahead of them.  A very long time ago it was a different group of people emerging from the long winter months.  That group of people was the Plains Cree, and they lived and hunted around Opimihaw Valley, which is now the site where Wanuskewin Heritage Park offers visitors a glimpse into the past.

“This summer marks our 20th year in operation, so there will be a number of wonderful celebrations to mark the occasion.  Right now we are planning events for National Aboriginal Day, which is on June 21st,” said Cheryl Hoftyzer, a Senior Interpretive Guide at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

Last year the park offered a wide selection of programs and events for the visitors during the summer months.  The staff accommodated many groups from around the country, and they are expecting many more this year.  The daily activities will include a guided trail walk, dance performance, and a cultural education program.

“Beginning on May 24th the park will have extended hours from 9am to 6pm daily.  We are also gearing for having more interpreters available throughout the summer so we can accommodate the increasing number of visitors,” said Cheryl.

Summer is a very busy season for the tourism industry in Saskatchewan, and Wanuskewin will be prepared by hiring more staff to keep up with demand.  The staff assist in interpreting and presenting programs for the visitors, which include the Bannock Bake, Tipi Teachings, First Nations Technology, and even the chance to sleep in a tipi for a night.  The market that Wanuskewin focuses on is primarily tourists, general visitors, school groups, seniors, meeting room patrons and conference groups.

“Visitors can stay up to date on Wanuskewin by visiting our website, or checking out our Facebook page and following us on Twitter.  Also, give us a call before you plan your visit and we will provide details of the events for the week,” said Cheryl.  Wanuskewin Heritage Park is open every day of the week and can be reached at (306) 931-6767.

A Traditional Design That Has Stood the Test of Time

Waterhen Lake Students to take Science Project to Nationals

By Armand LaPlante for Indigenous Times Newspaper

Two bright young Aboriginal high school students from Waterhen Lake First Nation will be making their way to the Canada-Wide Science Fair this May in Prince Edward Island. 

As part of Aboriginal Achievement week at the U of S, Jamison Witchekan and Andrew Abraham were invited by a college of Engineering rep to present their science project to a room full of university students, professors and Science consultants. Their project, which displayed the heading: “The Traditions of the Canoe”, drew comparisons between traditional designs of the canoe and their continued implementations in technology of today. The presentation itself was very intricate and included many interesting examples of how the traditional design of canoes has “stood the test of time.”

Elizabeth Conner, Program Administrator for Cameco Access Program for Engineering & Science, invited the two to present during Aboriginal Achievement Week after being drawn visually to their presentation and realizing that this was a good demonstration of the relation between engineering and traditional Aboriginal knowledge. “The guys were so enthusiastic about it; they were excited about the topic. It’s great to see two young men really interested in science; I know Jamison is really interested in mechanical engineering and Andrew is really interested in computer science” states Conner.

After the presentation, the two youth were available to explain further and answer questions, but also ask questions. Both understood the prestige of the Canada-Wide Science Fair and were taking advice in order to fine-tune their presentation before heading to PEI in May.