Lessons from the Land 2022

We respectfully acknowledge that we are located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations.

We respectfully acknowledge that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.

For many years, the New Canadians Centre organised Multicultural Canada Day on July 1, a celebration of the richness of culture that we enjoy. It is a chance to show our pride in being able to write new chapters in our person and family histories.

At the same time, we have reflected on the important work of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The historical treatment of Indigenous Peoples was violent and unjust and racism and discrimination persist today.

The New Canadians Centre is committed to walking alongside Indigenous peoples, to celebrate Indigenous culture and knowledge, and to heal our relationship.

Please join us in our week-long celebration of the Canadian Multicultural Festival in June; please make space every July 1 for an important day of learning and reflection with programs and activities at "Lessons from the Land".

Please join us and our community partners for a day of learning at "Lessons from the Land"

Friday July 1, 2022
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Beavermead Pavilion
2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9L 1P8

All activities are family-friendly. Children should be accompanied by a caregiver.

Please pack a reusable waterbottle and a litterless lunch and snacks; there is a water fountain on-site but there will not be any food or drink vendors at this event.

Please bring your own chair or blanket as activities will be conducted on the grass as much as possible.

Lessons from the Land - July 1 In-Person Program Schedule

8:45 AM Sign-in for Guided Medicine Walk 1 (pre-registration required)
9:00 AM Welcome & Opening
9:00 -11.30 AM Medicine Walk 1 starts
9:30 - 11:30 AM Traditional Games and Activities
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Lunch Break
12:00 - 1:00 PM Songs and dances from the Land - Drum teachings
12:45 PM Sign in for Guided Medicine Walk 2 (pre-registration required)
1:00 - 3:30 PM Medicine Walk 2 starts
1:00 - 3:30 PM Beading Circle & teachings
3:30 PM Closing

Welcome & Closing: Janet McCue and Linda McCue

Janet McCue is the lead singer with Wishkiigomang Hand Drummers from Curve Lake. She will be joined by her sister Linda McCue.

Emcee: Czarina Garcia, Coordinator, Community Race Relations Committee

Guided Medicine Walk

Join Caleb Musgrave, Head Instructor from Canadian Bushcraft and Patricia Wilson, Community Conservation Coordinator at Kawartha Land Trust and founder of Diverse Nature Collective, for a guided medicine walk through Beavermead Park.

There is a limit of 30 participants for each walk; pre-registration is required. Please meet at the Beavermead Pavilion at the sign-in time and ensure that you have good walking shoes and water. The walk will take place rain or shine so please dress for the weather.

Walk 1: 9:00 - 11:30am (sign-in: 8:45am) OR
Walk 2: 1:00 - 3:30pm (sign-in: 12:45pm)

Edited: All spots are now filled. You will be added to the waitlist if you register now.

There will be two concurrent activities taking place at Beavermead Pavilion - please join in if you are not participating in the medicine walks!

Traditional Games

Join Rachel Gilham from Pathway to Stewardship & Kinship for traditional games and activities! All materials will be supplied. Our thanks to Cathy Dueck for her support for this program.

Time: 9:30 - 11:30 AM

Beading Circle & Teachings

Nimkii Osawamick of Dedicated Native Awareness will be leading a beading circle and sharing teachings. Make a friendship bracelet that you can give to an Indigenous friend to build new bridges. All materials will be supplied.

Time: 1:00 - 3:30 PM

Songs & Dances from the Land - Drum Teachings

Led by Dedicated Native Awareness (DNA Stage)
Founder: Nimkii Osawamick

Nimkii is a proud Anishinaabeg nini hailing from Wiikwemkoongsing, Unceded Territory (Ontario, CA). Representing Bear Clan, Nimkii is a world-renowned hoop dancer, champion dancer and drummer/singer.

All are welcome. Please join us with an open mind to learn and to share. Please be mindful to respect the drum and dancers' regalia and not to touch them or photograph them without permission.

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Strawberry Pin Beading Kits

We have partnered with Cedarlilie Bead Shop, owned and operated by Dominique O'Bonsawin, an Abenaki and French-Canadian artist, to bring you these Strawberry Beading Kits.

Beadwork is a significant part of Indigenous culture and grounds many teachings. In many Indigenous cultures, the strawberry is known as the heart berry, evoking love and reconciliation.

Pick up a free beading kit at "Lessons from the Land" on July 1 between 9am and 3:30pm (while supplies last) and follow Dominique's tutorial online.

Missed out on the kit? You can gather your own supplies with this list.

ReFrame Film Festival - Virtual Film Screening July 1-7

"Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair"

Director: Alanis Obomsawin

As the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Senator Murray Sinclair was a key figure in raising global awareness of the atrocities of Canada’s residential school system. With determination, wisdom and kindness, Senator Sinclair remains steadfast in his belief that the path to actual reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people requires understanding and accepting often difficult truths about Canada’s past and present.

Alanis Obomsawin shares the powerful speech the Senator gave when he accepted the WFM-Canada World Peace Award, interspersing the heartbreaking testimonies of former students imprisoned at residential schools. The honouring of Senator Sinclair reminds us to honour the lives and legacies of the tens of thousands of Indigenous children taken from their homes and cultures, and leaves us with a profound feeling of hope for a better future.

Both films are available for free streaming from July 1 to 7.

"Gaamominik - One Woman's Journey to Find the Bits and Pieces"

Trigger warning: This film contains mention of violence against women and children

Director: Hannah Lemelin

Gaamominik (Karen Watts), is an Odawa survivor/storyteller from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Odawa Mnis “Manitoulin Island”. Stolen from her biological family by their landlord before the age of four, Karen grew up in the heart of Toronto, Ontario with an assumed name and identity. Enduring years of psychological abuse and being bullied for being Native, she finally escaped to the streets and found herself living in a vicious cycle of alcohol and drugs.

By her mid-twenties, Karen defied all odds and turned her life around so she could rediscover her true identity and begin her healing journey. Her perseverance and resiliency brought meaning to her life and a reconnection to her family and ancestral homeland. She now lives her life in recognition of Anishinaabe values and Traditional Teachings in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough), Ontario.

This film was produced by ReFrame Film Festival with the support of the Electric City Culture Council's Arts Alive Fund.

Watch the Films for Free Now

Virtual Education Hub

We celebrate the heritage of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and commit to sharing Indigenous history, languages and culture with newcomers and refugees as important steps towards education and reconciliation.

In the Virtual Education Hub, you will find resources to learn more about Indigenous history, culture and teachings.

Go to the Virtual Education Hub