Guelph Youth Music Centre, 75 Cardigan Street, Guelph (Attawandaro
Friday October 16, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
You’re invited to an evening of food and conversation as we build dialogue around decolonizing our community.
Welcoming with the Women’s Drum Circle Wiiji Numgumook Kwe – 6pm
Potluck Dinner – 6:30pm
Facilitated Discussions – 7:30-9:30pm
Topics for Circle Discussions:
– What would a decolonized Guelph look like?
– What actions am I taking to actively decolonize my mind/heart/body/
– How can we rebuild trust between settler populations and First Nation/Inuit/Métis peoples? How can we establish conciliation?
– What efforts have I made to connect with my own ancestry/lineage?
This is a free event! Donations will be gratefully accepted.
Childcare and Kids’ Space available. The GYMC is wheelchair accessible, with an elevator to the second floor.
Please make sure your contribution to the potluck comes with a list of ingredients!
The organizers are grateful to the amazing volunteers who make this event possible. To help with childcare, cooking, setup, cleanup, and more, please contact arlene.slocombe@gmail.com.
OPIRG is happy to support this event. For more information about the folks who actually organize it, as well as some background and history, check out the website: https://
Please join and share the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/554906158008490/
Facilitator Bios
Jan Sherman is dedicated to serving her community through the sharing of her story, and how the traditional teachings have become the foundation of all that she is. Her service includes finding ways to empower spirits through personal healing. Likewise, she is committed to her own ongoing learning, healing, and growth in order to be effective in this role as a community helper. Her personal experiences as a teacher/learner, storyteller, drummer/singer, and culture keeper have lead her to understanding how important it is to develop a safe learning environment through the creation of community. She focuses on building, and maintaining trusting, respectful relationships by honouring the traditional ways of being on her daily Earth Walk. Jan’s journey has not always been easy, but each of her experiences have been instrumental in the development of the proud First Nations woman she is today.
Lois MacDonald is a Missanbie Cree First Nation member originally from the Thunder Bay area, and is currently employed at Aboriginal Services – Conestoga College, where she provides support and cultural guidance to students and community members in the Guelph, Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo areas. As a community helper, Lois shares her knowledge and wisdom gained through the teachings and personal life experiences to guide others to follow their hearts as they walk their personal life journey to become their own leaders.
Bruce Weaver is of Mohawk and Anglo-German heritage and has only in the last 5 years learned about his native heritage. He is a retired elementary teacher, having taught in the NWT and Ontario. Bruce has lived in Guelph since 1983. He has been a volunteer in educational computing organizations, at his church and with the Guelph Public Library where he served as the Chair of the Board. Bruce has also volunteered and been active with First Nations activities in this region.
Jennifer Parkinson is Métis. Like most Métis she did not grow up with her culture. After finding out about her heritage, she obtained her Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizenship and joined the MNO Grand River Métis Council (GRMC) to learn more about Métis history and culture. She served 1 ½ terms as Council chair and is currently the council President. Being active with the GRMC has allowed Jennifer not only to learn about but also to share Métis history and culture with students and adults alike. She currently lives in Guelph with her husband of 30 years. She has 3 adult children and 1 grandchild. Jennifer attended McMaster University after High School and is currently working on an Honours BSc. degree at the University of Guelph.