One day the wind signaled a fate beyond all comprehension. Buffalo Boy had been thrown into the gut of the consumer world where he became an attraction, another other for all to see. Buffalo Boy knew that he had to break free and come out of the shadows of fringe and feathers. He began his mantra, “If I could turn back time and beat the crap out of Custer again and again, I would.” As he clicked his heels and repeated “If I could turn back time, if I could turn back time…” a rainbow appeared and there stood Belle Sauvage. The powers of the universe brought them together and they knew instantly that they would put the WILD back into the west.

As part of our grand opening event on Saturday, November 6, 2010, Plug In ICA presents “Putting the WILD Back into the West: Buffalo Boy and Belle Sauvage (2006-2010)”.  This performance and installation will be the culmination of four years of performance installations by Lori Blondeau and Adrian Stimson and the very last presentation of this series. DJ Co-op will provide a blend of country and dance music throughout the evening.

Through their wild-western alter-egos, Buffalo Boy and Belle Sauvage, Blondeau and Stimson adapt stereotypical themes from a now distant era of vaudeville, saloons and gun fights, setting the stage for a contemporary rewriting of history, encouraging the audience to participate in creating a photographic record of an alternative aboriginal account. A diorama is presented, for people to photograph themselves in colonial costuming, as well as a wall of photos of previous Belle and Buffalo Boy enactments.  The public is invited to bring their own cameras to photograph themselves and friends in the costumes provided, or to wear their own costumes to the opening reception on November 6.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Lori Blondeau is a Cree/Saulteaux/Métis artist and curator based in Saskatoon. She is a co-founder and the current director of TRIBE, one of Canada’s most innovative and exciting Aboriginal arts organizations. Blondeau’s performance, photo, and media-based work has been presented nationally and internation- ally. She is currently completing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

Adrian A. Stimson is a member of the Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation in southern Alberta and is a Saskatoon-based inter- disciplinary artist. He has exhibited and performed nationally, and is a sessional instructor at the University of Saskatch- ewan. His research has included identity, metaphysics, two spirit people, ecology, spirit and healing modalities within artistic practice. Adrian was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for his human rights and diversity activism in various communities.