FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 6:30AM AT DAWN

AROUND THE SACRED FIRE IN THE BACKYARD AT FIRSTONTARIO PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

A sacred fire will burn each day from dawn to dusk in the backyard of the PAC during this year’s Celebration of Nations. 

Each morning, a Sunrise Ceremony will take place each day as an opportunity  to greet the sun as it rises to begin a new day and to give thanks for another day of life.​

Friday’s ceremony will be led by Elder Allan Jamieson Sr. 

ALLAN JAMIESON SR.

Mr. Jamieson is a Faithkeeper from the Wolf Clan of the Cayuga people, one of the 6 Nations. 

Coordinator of Neto, a Native American managed non-profit organization, he brings a wealth of knowledge and research in his presentations. One of the founding members of Neto, he is responsible for the overall management of the organization including meeting the goals, coordinating activities and managing the budget. His experience includes extensive research on the WNY geographic area and oral history related to the WNY. Currently he is responsible for coordinating art exhibits and projects sponsored by Neto and these activities include scheduling artist workshops, hiring artists and curators, scheduling exhibits and providing publicity for all events. Mr. Jamieson is also a consultant and Elder for the Indigenous Health Circle of Ontario.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York College at Buffalo and a Master of Arts from the University of Buffalo, 1987.  While a graduate student he developed and taught the currently offered course in Native American literature.

In addition to his interest in art he recently completed training as an Alternative Dispute Resolution facilitator to work with families in crises.

He has been an active member of the Native community in the Western New York region which includes the Buffalo and Niagara Falls areas for the past 20 years assisting area art institutions with Native American programming.

Between work and studies he produced several 30 minute videos for public access television on topics including Native American Border Rights, Maid of the Mist and the Columbus Legacy.