LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Deanna Jumbo of Trout Lake has been playing the fiddle for approximately five years.
Ryanna Bonnetrouge of Fort Providence, front left, Hunter Clillie of Wrigley, front right, Jade Tesou of Fort Simpson, back right, and Josh Bertrand of Nahanni Butte practise during an orchestra session on Jan. 12 at the annual fiddle jamboree in Fort Simpson held by the Kole Crook Fiddle Association. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo
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Although she practises in her home community, Jumbo looks forward to the annual fiddle jamboree the Kole Crook Fiddle Association holds annually in Fort Simpson.
"I get to see my friends and learn new songs," she said.
Jumbo, 13, was one of 65 fiddlers from across the Deh Cho and other parts of the territory who participated in this year's jamboree from Jan. 11 to 13.
The jamboree is now in its ninth year in the village. The event is, in part, about celebrating the participants' culture, said Gerda Hazenberg, who organized the jamboree.
"I see it as reviving the fiddling tradition in the Deh Cho," she said.
"That's why we want to reach as many students as possible."
Every Deh Cho community except for Fort Liard and Kakisa was represented by fiddlers at the jamboree. Participants also came from Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith. They were taught by seven instructors.
"They are really keen," said Hazenberg.
"They are just a wonderful bunch of kids."
Approximately 10 adults joined the youths. The adults will help run the fiddle programs in their home communities. Supported by the association, each Deh Cho community has a fiddle program in their school.
The jamboree gives fiddlers the opportunity to build their skills and take them back to their communities, said Hazenberg. It is also a social event that allows youths from different communities to mingle.
"They are all having a blast," she said.
Nahanni Butte's Destiny Ekotla, 15, has been to approximately four fiddle camps in both Yellowknife and Fort Simpson. Ekotla said she comes to the camps because she likes learning new tunes and meeting people from other communities.
During the jamboree the young fiddlers are divided by their abilities into homeroom classes led by an instructor. They also gather together as a group for orchestra sessions. The orchestra sessions are fun because everyone is playing the same tune, said Ekotla.
The fruits of the orchestra classes were put on display on Saturday evening when the fiddlers held a community performance. All of the fiddlers played three songs together and then individuals and small groups who had volunteered came forward to showcase their talents. The evening ended with a large fiddle dance.
Following the jamboree the instructors travelled to communities including Gameti, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Kakisa, Nahanni Butte and Fort Liard to provide further instruction, until Jan. 18.
