Dancing drones to cap off Canada Day night show Show inspired by Indigenous star lore By: Eva Wasney Posted: 5:34 PM CDT Wednesday, Jun. 28, 2023

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This article was published 28/06/2023 (1007 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Forks is shooting for the stars this Canada Day with a high-flying fireworks substitution.

On Saturday night, the sky above the national historic site will be filled with 100 glowing drones performing a synchronized dance inspired by Indigenous celestial teachings.

The show, entitled Acakos, which means “star” in Cree, is the latest addition to the organization’s revamped July 1 programming. Last year, The Forks cancelled its annual fireworks display and focused on cultural education following community consultations with Indigenous people, newcomers and youth. Similar surveys this year indicated visitors were keen for the return of a grand finale.

“We heard loud and clear that people were looking for something to end the evening in celebration,” says Clare MacKay, chief communities officer with The Forks North Portage Partnership. “This hasn’t been done in Winnipeg before, so we’re really excited to try something new.”

“We heard loud and clear that people were looking for something to end the evening in celebration.”–Clare MacKay

Drone shows are often pitched as a quieter, more environmentally friendly alternative to fireworks. Jade Harper also saw the production as an opportunity to mix modern technology with traditional teachings — two passions for the local film and event producer who has taken on the role of creative director for Canada Day at The Forks this year.

“Far too often, as Indigenous people, we’re painted in a historical way,” Harper says. “This challenges that, which I think is great, and I think it’s going to be enjoyable.”

Indigenous astronomer and Elder Wilfred Buck, a member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, seemed like the perfect person to help create the Canada Day drone show.

Buck is a star lore expert who has spent much of his career teaching about cosmology with a portable planetarium.

“He teaches in a small space and I thought, wouldn’t it be cool to witness one of his teachings in the Winnipeg sky?” Harper says. “Not only that, but wouldn’t it be great to see and hear our own teachings in some of our own language in general spaces?”

Acakos is based on Buck’s teachings of Mista Muskwa, the Great Bear. It’s a story that speaks to humility and courage, explains Harper, who is curating the show.

“Which is what I think The Forks is asking people to come to Canada Day with,” she adds. “A bit of humility and also courage as we embark on a new way to celebrate, while recognizing a very painful and colonial history.”

The show will be narrated by Buck and include a dozen drone configurations to create animated visuals that coincide with the storytelling.

Jeff Clarmo, president and chief executive officer of North Star Entertainment, expects audiences will be wowed by the spectacle.

“People are just amazed,” Clarmo says of the usual reaction to his drone shows. “They can’t believe what they’re seeing because the replication of shapes and ideas is so accurate.”

North Star is based in Ontario and was founded as a fireworks production company. Clarmo added drone shows to the roster in 2020 after hearing about the growing trend overseas. Demand has grown “exponentially” in North America since then, he says.

“I’m a fireworks guy at heart, but (drones) are just different,” he says. “It’s ticking off all the right boxes: it’s quiet, it’s clean, it doesn’t make forest fires, it doesn’t bother pets and wildlife, and they’re really cool.”

When creating a drone show, North Star inputs a client’s design into a computer program, which communicates directly with each of the hovering robots. At showtime, the drones are laid out in a grid and an operator presses play on the pre-determined sequence. There’s no rehearsal needed, but location considerations are made to avoid any large metal objects that could cause interference between the laptop and drones, which will be flying 120 metres above the ground.

The 10-minute show starts at 10:30 p.m. over Parks Canada Place, near the Red River.

Canada Day festivities at The Forks kick off at noon and include live music — featuring local acts Lev Snowe, Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds, Jade Turner and Indian City — at a stage in front of the Forks Market. There are also family activities at the CN Stage, workshops, storytelling, site tours, food trucks and a soccer tournament. Visit theforks.com for more information.

eva.wasney@winnipegfreepress.com

Twitter: @evawasney