Behind Les Bûcherons and Cabine Soleil

Life is so inspiring. This last spring Gilbert and I began building our dream home/retreat right here by the lake. The magnitude of this project has given us so many lessons and wonderful gifts. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be involved in a project that enables us to be so creative. We see the development of this 17 acre property not only for us but for many, many others. There is a special spiritual feel to this place that is felt by those who come to visit. The energy is obvious. Our goal is to have groups or individuals come and stay to rejuvenate, contemplate, learn and possibly come face to face with their own being. Wow! What a gift.

Gerry and Gisèle Wood have been here at Cabine Soleil for the past year hosting sweat ceremonies. Jerry Wood is a Cree First Nations Elder born and raised in Saddle Lake, Alberta, an Indian Reservation 150 km north east of Edmonton. As an Aboriginal Elder, Educator and Cultural Facilitator, Jerry’s responsibility is to share his knowledge and wisdom with others. Gisèle Wood is French Métis of Montagnais Native ancestry, raised in the small French community of Brosseau, Alberta. She is a professional teacher and a certified Medicine Wheel Facilitator and an Aboriginal Cultural Facilitator with the Edmonton Public School Board. They are both so committed to sharing their heritage and culture with anyone who is open to it.

We also had our first Feastival event in August 2009. Phyllis Sinclair, the quiet protester and woman of conviction blessed us with her “Hauntingly Beautiful” original songs. A true story-teller, Phyllis poignantly creates verbal images that transport the listener to places, times, and experiences they might not otherwise encounter. Combine this music with the backdrop of a setting sun, open water, a bonfire, delicious food and the result was a truly an unforgettable night.

We had been entertaining the idea of getting Gilbert off the road and with the building of the new house that became crystal clear. We consequently hired Vincent Coulombe who is this vibrant, energetic, folklore driven young man from Maillardville, BC. He has been phenomenal and has adapted to Les Bûcherons very well. Les Bûcherons have been staying with his family since Vincent was small and he had always aspired to be just like them when he grew up. Doesn’t this just really confirm the cycle of life?

Dani has decided to move on to another phase of her life and so is no longer with us. She will be greatly missed by us and I predict by many of you. I will be taking over her duties and I promise to serve you with my full capabilities and an open heart.

Ian is launching his first music camp this year from July 18-23, 2010 here at Cabine Soleil. There will be musical instruction for beginners and intermediate levels on guitar, fiddle and banjo. It is geared towards families and there will be a number of other activities to keep everyone entertained during the week. It you want a great holiday please contact us. On Nov. 27, 2009 Ian and Vincent were involved in a 50 car pile up just outside of Calgary which totalled our company truck. They thankfully were not injured physically but as you can imagine it was still very traumatizing. Being the resilient men that they are, 2 days later they were headed up North for a week of performances in a rental mini van. We have since purchased a similar truck so they can continue delivering their great services to all of the schools and living their life of purpose. Ian has also developed a Stringband that holds true to the old time music tradition. They performed at Padmanadi’s Restaurant and the Provincial Museum this fall which went over very, very well. The members are Lenny Gallant, Gord Oaks, Dallas Petry and Cam Neufeld as guest fiddler. Watch for them at future Folk Festivals and community shows!!!

What I know to be true is that life is perfect. No matter what is going on, it is exactly what needs to be happening for me to develop fully into who I am. I believe this to be true for everyone. I am currently taking courses with a company called Warrior Sage (www.warriorsage.com) and it has been phenomenal. The teaching is exquisite and I am so excited to be living my life right now in this very moment. Satyen Raja talks a lot about how we need to practice being open, practice loving when we don’t feel like it, practice giving, when, what we really want is to receive etc. I resonate with this teaching and as difficult as it is, I am committed to practicing. I’m learning about male and female energies and how to manage them in myself and others. It is so interesting just to practice being aware. I try to observe myself reacting and responding and so it is from this place that growth can occur. As president of Les Bûcherons and Cabine Soleil I feel an enormous responsibility in providing a safe and sacred environment for everyone that we encounter. My goal is to live a life on purpose, to leave this world a better place than when I entered it, and to be of service.

With love,
Estelle

2007-2008 Season Highlights

We just wanted to take a little time to share with you what some of the highlights were of this past season:

1. One of the biggest highlights of the year was being able to tour with Daniel Gervais for several months. He is a world class fiddler and a charm for everyone who crosses his path. We hope to be granted the opportunity to work with him some more in the coming years.
2. Our 1-day residency, Rendez-Vous, is a big success. We've taken the best of what was already working with Les Bûcherons and refined it into a series of focused workshops that students and teachers love. We still offer the 5-day Artist in Residency program for those that want the full Les Bûcherons experience.
3. To accompany the Rendez-Vous service, we are producing a songbook compiled by Daniel and I. This book will contain the lyrics and music, in standard notation, of our most popular songs. It will be available by September for the upcoming season.
4. 8 schools used the Rendez-Vous 1-day residencies to replace or enhance their seasonal and Christmas concerts. This was very popular with parents and students alike.
5. We were fortunate to be invited to play at the 20th National Carl Orff Music for Children conference. Gord Oaks, Daniel Gervais, Gilbert Parent and I served up our repertoire along with some good, old-time square dancing. It was a real treat to see the music teachers dancing. They got the beat and it was just humming, thanks to Gord's solid timing and Daniels powerful fiddling.
6. Dani Nabohlz, our administrative agent, has moved on and we thank her immensely for the 2 years of consistent, solid service she gave Les Bûcherons. She was the head office and will be missed dearly by all our clients and associates. Good Luck Dani! You can make it happen as you did with us. Thank you!
7. We welcome Estelle Dubé-Parent on in Dani's place. Watch out world! Estelle is ready to do the impossible. I am just tickled at the idea of what we can do having such an incredible women at the steering wheel of this unique company.
8. The office is now moving out to "Cabine Soleil" on Cooking Lake, the residence and retreat center belonging to Gilbert and Estelle. This morning, Estelle and I hosted a couple workshops and a traditional French meal for a group of 20 French Students from Queen Elizabeth high school.

- Ian Porteous