"Natives saluting special UN year"

Local and national native performers will be showcased in a celebration of native culture and talent Friday night.

The Spirit Lives - an evening of entertainment saluting the International Year of Indigenous Peoples - is designed to let the native community highlight some of their important cultural contributions.

"We want people to see how talented our artists are," says event chairman Blanche Hill Easton.

"It seems we don't toot our own horn often enough."

In spite of the commemorative year established by the United Nations, the Canadian government has made very little effort to foster the year of indigenous peoples, she says.

"Brantford is one of the few - possibly the only city in Canada - to recognize and promote the year."

This concert will bring national performers like Trisha Skye, a traditional singer from the Montreal area, to the city.

Well-known Micmac composer and singer Willie Dunn from Quebec and the Seventh Fire band from the Ottawa region will perform.

Local entertainers from the Six Nations include writer-singer Randy Hill, the Darin Martin Brothers, and Chief Arnie General's group of traditional singers and dancers.

Chief General is a traditional chief who will be the master of ceremonies.

All money raised at the event will go toward promoting and preserving Iroquoian culture, which includes the Six Nations.

The concert is co-hosted by the Iroquoian Institute and the city of Brantford.