Lessons from the Land 2025
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 rich diversity of culture that we enjoy in Canada and locally here in Peterborough. With food and performances from around the world, it was one of our region’s largest annual events and an opportunity to show pride in being Canadian.
As an organization, we have reflected on the important work of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and our role in helping more people settle on lands stewarded by Indigenous Peoples. The historical treatment of Indigenous Peoples was violent and unjust; and racism and discrimination towards Indigenous Peoples persist today.
In this context, July 1 represents an opportunity to pause and reflect on our path forward. We invite you to join us every July 1 for an important day of learning and reflection with programs and activities at "Lessons from the Land" in Nogojiwanong.
The New Canadians Centre is committed to walking alongside Indigenous peoples, to celebrate Indigenous culture and knowledge, and to help heal and grow relationships between Indigenous Peoples and settlers.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Jiimaan Kinomaagewin / Canadian Canoe Museum
2077 Ashburnham Dr, Peterborough, K9L 1P8
All activities are family-friendly. Children should be accompanied by a caregiver.
Please bring a reusable water bottle, a dish pack (bowl, plate, spoon, fork) and snacks; there is a water fountain on-site. Lunch will be provided by Thomas Olszewski’s Grandfather’s Kitchen.
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
| 9:30 AM | Welcome & Opening - Linda & Janet McCue and Sarah Lewis |
| 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Wild Rice Talk - Janet McCue |
| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Kids Activity: River Race - TRACKS Youth Program |
| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Beading Circle: Strawberry Pin - Jaida Ponce |
| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Rooted Teachings: Medicines of the Land - Robyn Ivory, Indigenously Infused |
| 10:30 AM | Voyageur Canoe Tour - Canadian Canoe Museum |
| 12:00 - 12:30 PM | Community Lunch by Grandfather's Kitchen |
| 12:45 PM | Closing - Linda & Janet McCue |
| 1:00 PM | Visit the Canoe Museum |
Emcee: Mauricio Interiano, Community Engagement Officer, New Canadians Centre
9:30am - Opening
Janet McCue from Curve Lake will open and close our event. She will be joined by her sister Linda McCue.
Janet is a longtime leader and advocate in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong who dedicates her time to raising awareness for social justice, empowering the Indigenous community, providing education to local schools and museums, and supporting those marginalised by poverty.
She was inducted to the Peterborough Pathway of Fame for Community Betterment in 2011, and awarded the YMCA Peace Medal in 2014. In 2018, she received the Brian L. Desbiens Community Service Award at Fleming College.
Poet Sarah Lewis will recite her poetry and setting a reflective and inspirational tone for the events to follow.
Sarah Lewis (she/her) is an Anishnaabe Kwe (Ojibwe/Cree) spoken word artist, activist, community organizer and mother. She has ancestral roots in Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario as well as Pukatawagon, Manitoba. She was Peterborough’s Inaugural Poet Laureate from 2021-2022 and was a semi-finalist at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in 2019.
10:30 - 12:00pm - Voyageur Canoe Tour
Paddle together in a voyageur canoe on scenic Little Lake, guided by the Jiimaan Kinomaagewin/Canadian Canoe Museum team.
No experience needed—just a willingness to join the crew and enjoy the water! All children MUST be accompanied by a caregiver. All visitors MUST wear the PFDs supplied by the Canadian Canoe Museum, and visitors must weigh 30 lbs or more.
More information from the Canadian Canoe Museum
Please note: There is a limit of 35 participants for the canoe tour, and pre-registration is required. Please arrive at the designated meeting point on time and wear appropriate clothing for the weather.
Photo credit: Canadian Canoe Museum
10:30 - 12:00pm
There will be three concurrent activities taking place at Jiimaan Kinomaagewin/ Canadian Canoe Museum. Please join in if you are not participating in the Voyageur Canoe Trip!
River Race
Join staff from TRACKS Youth Program in this fast-paced, interactive game that explores the journey of salmon, eels, and sturgeon during spawning season in the Lake Ontario tributaries.
Learn about the obstacles these species face, the importance of waterways, and the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in understanding local ecosystems—all while having fun!
All TRACKS workshops combine Indigenous Science and Western Science within an environmental context. All workshops will relate to the natural world and encourage kids to think about their responsibilities to the land.
Rooted Teachings: Medicines of the Land
Join Robyn Ivory from Indigenously Infused for a hands-on workshop exploring the sacred relationship between Indigenous communities and medicinal plants. Reflecting the traditions and values of the Anishinaabe people, Robyn will guide participants through the uses, teachings, and stories of traditional medicines, while highlighting the 4 Sacred Medicines and 7 Grandfather Teachings.
Participants will deepen their understanding of how plants are grown, harvested, and prepared with respect, and will explore how these medicines can support our well-being in today’s world.
Anishinaabemowin language and cultural teachings will be woven throughout the session, offering space for learning, reflection, and connection to the land.
Strawberry Pin Beading Circle
Join Jaida Ponce, a Kichi Siibi Niizi Mnidoo Anishinaabe youth from Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, for a meaningful beading workshop centred on the strawberry—a symbol of love, truth, and heart knowledge in many Indigenous cultures.
As participants create their own strawberry pins, Jaida will share teachings, stories, and reflections rooted in Anishinaabe traditions and values. This workshop is an opportunity to engage in the cultural significance of beading, connect with the teachings carried by the strawberry, and explore our relationships to the land and one another through guided conversation and creativity.
All materials will be provided. There is a limit of 35 participants for this workshop.
Strawberry Pin Beading Kits
The New Canadians Centre Peterborough has partnered with Cedarlilie Bead Shop, owned and operated by Dominique O'Bonsawin, an Abenaki and French-Canadian artist, to bring you this Community Art Project.
Beadwork is a significant part of Indigenous culture and grounds many teachings. Dominique will guide us through the process to bead a Strawberry Pin. In many Indigenous cultures, the strawberry is known as the heart berry, evoking love and reconciliation.
We encourage our community to reflect on and honour the lands we live on.
If you are not attending the beading circle on July 1, you can pick up a free beading kit at the NCC office (221 Romaine St) after July 1 and follow Dominique's tutorial online.
Missed out on the kit? Kits and other beading supplies can be purchased here.
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 toward education and reconciliation.
In the Virtual Education Hub, you will find resources to learn more about Indigenous history, culture and teachings.
"Lessons from the Land" is made possible through the generous support of:
