Regalia chosen for Korean exhibit.

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HOBBEMA

Alaynee Goodwill has come a long way since her humble beginnings as an artist studying under world-renowned George Littlechild.

Originally from the Standing Buffalo First Nation near Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask., the member of the Dakota/Lakota Sioux Nation was raised in Hobbema and is the proud mother of four children. "My mom encouraged me to embrace and respect the culture of both the Sioux and the Cree," she said.

She studied contemporary arts and was excited about a future as an artist but was also an enthusiastic pow wow dancer and enjoyed making her regalia.

"My maternal grandmother taught us bead work and my mother taught us sewing and quilling. I love the way the arts tell a story, whether it's contemporary or traditional arts, or dancing, and I've started to tell my story through art," she said.

Goodwill's ladies' traditional pow wow outfit was selected as part of the Unity and Diversity exhibition in the Canadian pavilion of the Cheongiu International Biennale in South Korea in September. "I heard about the opportunity to submit art work for the show and was delighted when it was chosen," she said.

Included on her outfit and hanging on the belt, is a tiny pair of moccasins she made for her premature son to wear in his incubator, and other representations of her family are present as well, such as blue beads reflecting her daughter Sky's eyes and the handprints of her family members. "It really does tell a story of everything that's precious to me," she said. The intricate quill and beadwork are deeply invested with cultural meanings from her own beliefs and lineage.

This is the first time a traditional Aboriginal piece has been accepted to represent Canada as well as being submitted by an Aboriginal artist.

Currently Goodwill is raising funds so she can make the trip to South Korea. "It is important that I accompany my piece as I will be explaining our culture and our art to thousands through lectures and demonstrations," she said. More information is available at www.myspace/alayneegoodwill and folks are also welcome to e-mail her at [e-mail].

Goodwill's regalia has also been chosen by a distinguished panel of the Canadian Crafts Federation to participate in the Cultural Olympiad during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games at the Museum of Vancouver after which it goes on a two-year international tour.

The ambitious young woman is planning to attend university this fall in Edmonton. "I'm going into a four-year social work program, but will still be very involved in art exhibitions and dancing activities and teaching an art class in Hobbema. I still want to tell the stories of our people and I take pride in carrying on what my mother and grandmother taught me."

BY HEATHER ANDREWS MILLER

Sweetgrass Writer