New to the Kendaasawin Project is a week-long Indigenous Language Training Program. The program will feature a language teacher who will share and teach the Algonquin language to Indigenous participants on Kateri land. To ensure inclusivity, all on-site events will have an online counterpart, enabling remote participation for those unable to attend in person.
The Mohawk Community of Akwesasne is dealing with the deep impact of Residential Schools, which have led to an erosion of the Mohawk language and culture, particularly among Akwesasronon children and youth. One clear void is the lack of opportunity to pass on Mohawk traditions like social and ceremonial singing to future generations.
Notre Dame High School, a school within the Ottawa Catholic School Board, is dedicated to blending tradition, culture and learning with Christian living. Embracing a mission that encourages spiritual growth and societal transformation, the school incorporates teachings on reconciliation and decolonization through a Catholic lens into its curriculum. To support this mission, Notre Dame High School will be hosting a group of Dene students from Deh Gáh Secondary School in Fort Providence, NWT.
Wasauksing Kinomaugewgamik School, a First Nation school for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, is eager to strengthen ties with other schools in Parry Sound. With a commitment to fostering cultural understanding, the school plans to host a series of events, ceremonies and activities involving Parry Sound schools and the Wasauksing Kinomaugewgamik School First Nations community.
Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario is taking steps to commemorate Every Child Matters, the message honouring Orange Shirt Day that pays tribute to children lost to the residential school system. The community would like to create a space that promotes knowledge sharing and awareness for its members and visitors to the Nation’s territory.
The "Harvesting for Healing" project is a community-driven effort to keep alive important skills such as harvesting, hunting, and fishing.
The Indigenous Ministry Office, under the Diocese of Thunder Bay, plays a vital role in supporting the Indigenous population in the Thunder Bay area and its surrounding communities. The Office manages programs such as monthly Healing Circles for Residential School Survivors and an Elders Council to the Bishop that meets regularly to discuss how to assist community members in the Diocese.
In many Indigenous communities, there is growing worry about the loss of the sacred connection achieved through the shared practice of learning traditional crafts. A ribbon dress and shirt making class in Thunder Bay looks to restore cultural values through the art of crafting.
To help facilitate healing from the trauma and memories associated with the Residential School system, St. Kateri Church, one of the community's four churches, is hosting the "Healing the Child Within" program. The event is a gathering for Indigenous people, providing a platform for prayer and a safe space for Elders and Youth to connect. Participants share stories, engage in prayer for healing, and foster a stronger sense of community
