NADF CCP Workshop 2019 - Valhalla Inn
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) are a not-for-profit Aboriginal Financial Institution serving entrepreneurs, businesses and communities in Northern Ontario. They hosted a 3 day workshop focusing on community planning. It took place at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay. I was there to cover a couple hours in the morning on the first 2 days. While I was there during the first morning they announced their new website launch which was super exciting. There was also a keynote presentation by Dan Longboat.
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) are a not-for-profit Aboriginal Financial Institution serving entrepreneurs, businesses and communities in Northern Ontario. They hosted a 3 day workshop focusing on community planning. It took place at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay. I was there to cover a couple hours in the morning on the first 2 days. While I was there during the first morning they announced their new website launch which was super exciting. There was also a keynote presentation by Dan Longboat.
The second morning, Juliet Rickard shared her story with all the attendees, which was really great to listen to. After that, there were a variety of breakout sessions which included a general overview of CCP, How to work with different groups, and a mentors panel with Alice Sasines and Prescilla Graham.
Both days for me were a lot of fun to capture and I also learned a lot while doing so. That’s why I very much enjoy capturing events like this.
If you are interested in learning more about NADF I encourage you to check out their website here.
ONWA She is Wise Conference - Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
ONWA held their second annual She is Wise Conference this past March at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Toronto. It was also the second year in a row that I was invited to photograph it, and I was honoured to do so. For those of you who don’t know what this conference is all about, it’s easiest to just quote the mission statement for the event.
ONWA held their second annual She is Wise Conference this past March at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Toronto. It was also the second year in a row that I was invited to photograph it, and I was honoured to do so. For those of you who don’t know what this conference is all about, it’s easiest to just quote the mission statement for the event.
“The Nibwaakaa inaadiziwin (She is Wise in the Ways of Life) Conference captures the voices and perspectives of Indigenous women, fostering a discourse of strength, that seeks to change the narrative of violence, through collective cultural and gendered empowerment..”
It was 3 day conference filled with a lot of great speakers and exercises for everyone in attendance. Some of the notable speakers were:
Chief Stacey Laforme – Chief of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation
Dr. Dawn Harvard – ONWA President
Cora Lee McGuire-Cyrette – ONWA Executive Director
Minister Caroline Mulroney – Minister of Attorney General
Kathy Abolson-King
Sandi Boucher)
The exercises ranged from KAIROS Blanket, Building our Bundles, Women as Medicine, Taking Care of Elders and Self Defence. Some of the key performances included a Hoop Dance by 14 year old Theland Kicknosoway and a Keynote Address and Performance by Susan Aglukark.
At least for me, the 3 days went by very fast, and even though I was hired to photograph, it’s hard to take in all the information while doing so. I feel very lucky to be a part of such an important event. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
ONWA - Building Our Bundles Launch - Thunder Bay Art Gallery
I’m so thankful that I get to continually photograph and in the process, participate in so many wonderful events and causes put on by ONWA. Yesterday evening was yet another example with the Building our Bundles Launch would took place at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. The theme of the event was local indigenous women’s leadership through artwork, stories and digital storytelling. The featured artists of the evening were Candace Twance, Venessa Willow and Tony McGuire.
I’m so thankful that I get to continually photograph and in the process, participate in so many wonderful events and causes put on by ONWA. Yesterday evening was yet another example with the Building our Bundles Launch would took place at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. The theme of the event was local indigenous women’s leadership through artwork, stories and digital storytelling. The featured artists of the evening were Candace Twance, Venessa Willow and Tony McGuire.
The purpose of the project is to create Indigenous-informed learning material for educators and students with a focus on Ojibwe women from the Robinson Superior region. Storytelling is fundamental for passing on knowledge, culture and language for future generations to learn, create meaningful engagements and honour their ancestors.
If you would like to learn more about ONWA and this particular event, I encourage you to head on over to their Facebook Page or Website. Please have a look at some of the highlights from the event below.
ONWA 47th Annual General Assembly - Falling Leaves Moon - Toronto, Ontario
Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing ONWA’s 47th Annual General Assembly at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. On Friday, the first day of the event, The Talk4Healing launch took place in the afternoon. ONWA and Beendigen announced the expansion of its 24/7 helpline for indigenous women. Initially just serving Norther Ontario, Talk4Healing expanded to the rest of Ontario. If you like to read a great article on the subject head on over to the CBC website here.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing ONWA’s 47th Annual General Assembly at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. On Friday, the first day of the event, The Talk4Healing launch took place in the afternoon. ONWA and Beendigen announced the expansion of its 24/7 helpline for indigenous women. Initially just serving Norther Ontario, Talk4Healing expanded to the rest of Ontario. If you like to read a great article on the subject head on over to the CBC website here.
The evening saw the Annual General Assembly being with the Opening Ceremony with “Passwewe Ikewug” - Echo Women, Sisters in Song Women’s Drum Group & Grassy Narrow’s Women’s Drum. Afterwards ONWA held an election.
The Saturday and Sunday saw a variety of different sessions take place. From Inspiring Change Through Leadership to different speeches on Trauma and Sexual Violence, there was plethora of support and information passed along to all attendees.
The Sunday session ended with an exercise where attendees were encouraged to honour their sacredness through art. The resulting creations were all so well done. It was amazing to see so much creativity and passion.
Have a look at the photos below to see some of the highlights from the event!
Talk4Healing Photoshoot - ONWA
When ONWA approached me to help Talk4Healing update all the imagery for their website I jumped at the chance. It all happened in the span of 3 days and before I knew it I was at ONWA photographing a wonderful group of women. For those of you who don’t know, Talk4Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
When ONWA approached me to help Talk4Healing update all the imagery for their website I jumped at the chance. It all happened in the span of 3 days and before I knew it I was at ONWA photographing a wonderful group of women. For those of you who don’t know, Talk4Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
Basically they need and updated catalogue of photos for their website and social media. The theme was support which is exactly what we focused on during the shoot. I believe the photos below, directly convey that message. Talk4Healing and ONWA are amazing organizations and I’m very proud that I am able to contribute to their message.
If you would like to learn more about either organizations click on the links below.
ONWA 3rd Annual MMIW Pow Wow
It was my second year in a row photographing the MMIW Pow Wow at ONWA. Admittedly, it is one of the events I look forward to most. It's for such an important cause and the amount of people in the community and abroad that show up is amazing to see. For those of you who don't know, MMIW stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
It was my second year in a row photographing the MMIW Pow Wow at ONWA. Admittedly, it is one of the events I look forward to most. It's for such an important cause and the amount of people in the community and abroad that show up is amazing to see. For those of you who don't know, MMIW stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
If you would like to learn more about the event I have supplied some links below. Feel free to look through the photos to get a sense of what the day was all about.
https://www.facebook.com/events/292303881565821/ (Facebook Page)
http://www.onwa.ca (ONWA Website)
