Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Mar 04/02) - Everyone loves a carnival, which could explain why they're so popular in the North.

For almost 20 years the spring's first Northern carnival has been celebrated on the Hay River Reserve.

Deborah Fabian works on a Kole Crook tribute banner that was displayed at the Kamba's popular talent show. - Dave Sullivan/NNSL photo

The Kamba Carnival was designed to drive away the winter blues. It may be pushing things to call the March 1 weekend spring, but residents swear the weather improves right after Kamba.

"We're saying goodbye to winter and welcoming spring. It's not too early because right after, it gets warm and every- thing starts melting," says carnival chair Diane Tour-angeau.

This year's Kamba, which was held over the weekend, was dedicated to fiddling sensation Kole Crook. He died in a New Year's Eve plane crash.

Tourangeau, her husband, Paul, and Fred Martel Jr. helped get the carnival started 19 years ago, as a way to celebrate the coming of spring and entertain children.

Everything was put together that first year with $300 borrowed from the band. This year, $11,500 was raised from bingo and donations, and hundreds of people were drawn to the community. The main talent show alone attracts an audience of 500.

At Kamba, which means ptarmigan, the dog sled races and talent shows have proven to be the most popular crowd pleasers.

The carnival is a significant event on the Hay River Reserve. Roy Fabien, who helps organize outdoor activities, says it's important for the community's 50 youths to be exposed to traditional ways.

"These are skills to the Dene people," he says of the events. "In winter, people have the blahs so we take these things from our culture and add a competitive spirit to it."

He says the focus on children helps them participate in traditional activities that many parents don't much practice any more.

"At first it was mostly drum dancing and a feast," Fabien recalls of Kamba's early days.

"Then it just grew. Now people will be coming from Deline and as far as Saskatchewan. "