On Saturday, July 1st, the New Canadians Centre is hosting its third “Lessons from the Land” event to celebrate Indigenous culture, history, and knowledge while also reflecting on Canada’s relationship with the original stewards and caretakers of Turtle Island and Nogojiwanong.
Running from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the pavilion at Beavermead Park (2011 Ashburnham Drive) in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough, the day includes guided nature walks, a fun educational activity for children, a community lunch, a dance and drum circle, a beading circle, stories of reconciliation, and more.
For many years, the New Canadians Centre — a non-profit organization that supports more than 1,000 newcomers every year from over 90 countries — organized the popular Multicultural Canada Day event on July 1 to celebrate the rich diversity of culture in Canada and in Peterborough.
After reflecting on the important work of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, the violent and unjust historical treatment of Indigenous peoples and the racism and discrimination that continues to this day, and the organization’s own role in helping more people settle on lands stewarded by Indigenous peoples, the New Canadians Centre decided Canada Day represents an opportunity to pause and reflect on Canada’s path forward.
“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,” says Mauricio Interiano, community engagement officer at the New Canadians Centre, in a media release.
VIDEO: “Meet Me By The Water” – Janet McCue
The day will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with an opening from Janet McCue, the lead singer of Wishkiigomang Hand Drummers from Curve Lake, and her sister Linda McCue. Czarina Garcia, the coordinator of the Community Race Relations Committee, will be the event’s emcee throughout the day.
Two guided nature walks will take place during the day, the first from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (sign-in at 9:15 a.m.) and the second from 1 to 3:30 p.m (sign-in at 12:45 p.m.). Patricia Wilson, founder of Diverse Nature Collective, will lead the walks through Beavermead Park. Each walk is limited to 30 people, and advance registration is required. Wear good walking shoes, bring a reusable waterbottle (there is a water fountain on site), and dress for the weather as the walks will proceed rain or shine.
Those not participating in the guided nature walks are encouraged to partake in concurrent activities during the morning and afternoon.
From 10 a.m. to noon, Kelsey Roote and Zigwan LaPoint from TRACKS Youth Program will lead ‘River Race’, an engaging activity that explores the journey of different fish species in the Trent-Severn Waterway, the challenges they face in their spawning grounds, and the positive and negative impacts humans have on the fish populations. Some Anishinaabemowin — the local dialect of the Ojibway language — will be incorporated into the game.
Also running from 10 a.m. to noon is ‘Quilt Stories of Reconciliation’, where Pam Hart from the Kawartha Truth and Reconciliation Support Group will take listeners on an emotional journey to explore the legacy of Canada’s residential schools through intricate patterns and stitched fabrics on a group quilt project. Hear heartfelt stories that will foster healing, education, and conversation. ‘Quilt Stories of Reconciliation’ will also take place after lunch from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
A community lunch from noon to 1 p.m. will be catered by Thomas Olszewski’s Grandfather’s Kitchen. Guests are encouraged to bring their own dishes (bowls, plates, and utensils) if possible. From 12:30 to 1 p.m., Janet McCue will lead a dance and drum circle to which all are invited.
After lunch, the day’s activities continue. Concurrent with the afternoon ‘Quilt Stories of Reconciliation’, a beading circle will run from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Beadwork is a significant part of Indigenous culture and grounds many teachings.
The New Canadians Centre has partnered with Cedarlilie Bead Shop, owned by Abenaki and French-Canadian artist Dominique O’Bonsawin, to share the significance of the Orange Shirt — a powerful symbol of the legacy of the residential schools and the impact of colonization. Attendees can pick up a free Orange Shirt beading kit at the event or from the New Canadians Centre office at 221 Romaine Street and join in the beading circle led by Susan Byrne, She Gathers Flowers by the Water.
If you miss the event, you can gather your own supplies to make a beaded orange shirt pin and follow along at home with Cedarlilie Bead Shop’s online tutorial (below).
VIDEO: Beaded Orange Shirt Pin Tutorial
Janet and Linda McCue will return to close the day at 3:30 p.m.
All activities are free and family friendly, but children should be accompanied by a caregiver. Participants are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket, as the activities will be conducted mostly on the lawn at Beavermead Park.
Throughout the day, be sure to pick up a free sweetgrass or white sage plant sourced from GreenUp’s Ecology Park Native Plant Nursery (while supplies last).
At any time, you can also visit the New Canadians Centre’s Virtual Education Hub to find resources about Indigenous history, heritage, culture, and teachings.
“Lessons from the Land” is organized by the New Canadians Centre and supported by Canadian Heritage, United Way of Peterborough & District, TRACKS Youth Program, Community Race Relations Committee, Diverse Nature Collective, and the Kawartha Truth and Reconciliation Support Group. For more information, visit nccpeterborough.ca/lessons-from-the-land.
While “Lessons from the Land” is one step on the path towards reconciliation, the New Canadians Centre continues to celebrate multiculturalism and the pride of newcomers in becoming Canadian through the Canadian Multicultural Festival, running from June 23 and 30, as well as the Multicultural Food Crawl taking place for the entire month of June.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the New Canadians Centre. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
