Indigenous Arts
TURN-KEY shows and workshops
These workshops are eligible for the ELAN Artists Inspire Grants & Mesure 15061 funding (page 104).
Contact us to book an experience in your school, classroom or community group!
The following performances are designed for larger groups of students and can accommodate multiple grades or classes at a time (up to a maximum of 150 audience members). Shows can take place in an auditorium, gym or large outdoor space. All shows include student participation.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
DURATION : 50 minutes
Makhena, an Anishnabe-Cree, Franco-Ontarian hoop dancer, will present an interactive hoop dance workshop where they will perform, and then teach students how to execute basic steps, while also sharing about the regalia, history and ceremony behind this traditional storytelling art form.
Read our blog post about the Hoop Dancing workshop held at John Rennie High School for Orange Shirt day (for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation day).
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
DURATION : 50 minutes
Maggie, of Tyendinaga Kanyen’kehá:ka Mohawk Nation, and Marie-Céline Einish, dancer, educator, ambassador and Indigenous Relations consultant from Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, will provide a presentation that covers topics such as cultural appropriation, Indigenous culture, and the history of Pow Wows.
The presentation will finish with hoop and traditional dancing, as well as the opportunity for students to ask questions and participate in learning some basic dance moves.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
DURATION : 50 minutes
Sharing his talents in guitar and courting flute, Emilio, Algonquin-Anishnabeg from Kitigan Zibi and Lac-Barrière, will use his talents as a musician, filmmaker, researcher and educator to merge music and storytelling to offer students a glimpse at the richness of Algonquin-Anishnabeg history and culture.
Indigenous Arts Workshops
Interactive workshops delivered straight to your classroom, live or online. Workshops are available during school hours, at lunch time or after school. Please note: online workshops require a smart board (or equivalent) with internet access. Below is a list of workshops we currently offer.
OPTION 1 : INDIVIDUAL DREAMCATCHERS
AGE GROUP: Secondary students
DURATION: 2 x 50 minutes
Over the course of this 2-day workshop, students will learn about the significance of dreamcatchers and touch on topics such as cultural appropriation and the importance of properly sourcing materials. They will then be taught how to make their own 10-inch dreamcatcher. The artist will arrive with pre-made kits for each participant and teach them to wrap their leather, create the inner web of the dream catcher, and decorate it with feathers and beads.
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Artificial Sinew (for web)
– Feathers
– Beads
– Scissors
INDIVIDUAL KITS:
– 10-inch metal ring
– 1 long piece of hide
– 3 shorter pieces of hide
Day 1 – History & Binding
The artist will share the history of the dreamcatcher, introducing students to the meaning and significance of what they are about to create.
She will show them how to wrap their ring with hide, and begin the webbing.
At the end of class, she will leave them with the beads and feathers and ask them to think about how they want to decorate their dreamcatcher before the next class.
Day 2 – Web & Decoration
The artist will show participants how to create the inner web of the dreamcatcher, and how to add beads and feathers to their design.
*****
OPTION 2 : CLASS DREAMCATCHER
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
DURATION: 50 minutes
Through discussion, students will learn about the significance of dreamcatchers and touch on topics such as cultural appropriation and the importance of properly sourcing materials. They will also participate in the creation of a large dreamcatcher that can become a permanent feature for their classroom that they will have all worked on together. The artist will arrive with a large round metal rim, wrapped with leather and will show students how to create the inner web of the dream catcher, and how to decorate it with feathers and beads.
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Large Metal Ring
– Animal Hide Leather
– Artificial Sinew (for web)
– Feathers
– Beads
Station 1 – Dreamcatcher
Under the artist’s supervision, each student takes a few turns adding their “wrap” to the web of the giant dreamcatcher.
Station 2 – Decoration
Each student will be given a feather, some pony beads and a certain length of leather lace with which to attach their feather. At this station, they will brainstorm and create their design.
Station 3 – Significance of Dreamcatchers & Feathers
With painting and colouring materials, students can have fun colouring the pages of their information packet on the significance of dreamcatchers that will be theirs to take home.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
DURATION: 50 minutes (option to book several sessions available)
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Mats
– Thread
– Beads
Craig Commanda, Anishinaabe multidisciplinary artist from Kitigan Zibi, will teach participants essential beading techniques to make flat even count peyote, and flat peyote triangles and warped squares, using Hama beads. They will also learn how to attach pieces together to create cool, 3D geometric shapes. The level and intricacy of the designs taught will depend on the number of workshops booked.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 2 and up) and secondary students
DURATION: 50 minutes
Students and staff will learn about one of history’s oldest known toys: the corn husk doll. Maggie will start the workshop with an introduction to her Indigenous culture, and will weave historical facts and the importance community into the story of the corn husk doll. She will then teach students how to create their own doll, which they will then get to take home.
SETUP: Class divided into 3 groups
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Bowls for soaking
– Scissors
– Table cloths
INDIVIDUAL KITS:
– Corn husks (approx. 5)
– Brown & orange ribbon
Students will be organized into groups of about 5, and will place their corn husks into bins full of water set up at each station. The husks will soak for the duration of Maggie’s presentation.
After the presentation, students will be asked to remove their husks from the water, thoroughly ringing them out. They will then be shown how to mold, fold, tie, and cut the husks to build their doll.
Complete with a head, arms, and a body, these faceless dolls will serve as an important reminder of the morals of the story of the doll, and a keepsake for the fun time they had learning to make it!
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 2 and up) and secondary students
DURATION: 50 minutes
Maggie will start the workshop with an introduction to her Indigenous culture, and the purpose of the workshop. Depending on the age group and chosen theme, participants will create representations of different creative and thought- provoking concepts like power, resilience, or kindness. Clay and simple tools are used to model a person or creature they believe represents their concept.
SETUP: Class tables divided into groups, with clay and tools
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Clay (variety of colours)
– Clay tools
Example: Cycle 2 Students
With the class divided into groups of about 6 students, we will pass out materials and Maggie will introduce herself and her Indigenous culture, sharing important historical information and helping them to get to know her.
Maggie will start the creation part of the workshop by asking the students what their favorite animal is and why, extracting out their inherent qualities, such as kindness, strength, beauty – anything that the students deem worthy.
Based on the strengths and qualities that they want to showcase, students will then be able to create their own creature from the clay, picking and choosing from the animals they love to make a unique representation that is special to them.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
DURATION: 2 x 50 minutes
Over the course of this 2-day workshop students will learn about and participate in the steps necessary to create three 17-inch drums. They will work with materials such as hides, feathers, leather, lace, and beads, getting to be creative and learning about the significance of these instruments as they go. The second day will also include a drumming performance where they can learn how to play their drums.
SETUP: Class divided into 3 groups
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Deer skin
– Ring
– Hide
– Paint
– Colouring sheets
Day 1
Station 1 – Stretching : Charlene will teach students to stretch the hide on the ring.
Station 2 – Painting Planning: Each student will practice painting their name, choosing their colours and design for when they will put it on the drum.
Station 3 – Decoration Planning : Students will pick what materials they want to use and figure out how they will decorate their drum.
Day 2
Station 1 – Colouring: Fill in colouring sheets.
Station 2 – Painting : Each student will paint their name onto one of the drums.
Station 3 – Decoration : Based on the first day’s planning, students will decorate their drums.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
DURATION: 50 minutes
In this workshop, students will create their own medicine pouch while learning about the 4 Sacred Medicines – Tobacco, Sage, Cedar and Sweetgrass. First, Charlene will teach students how to create their small, leather pouch that will house the ingredients. They will then learn about the meaning behind the 4 Sacred Medicines, and be given specific instructions on how to create their bundle. They will then visit each station, one by one, adding a small amount of each Sacred Medicine to their pouch.
SETUP: Class divided into 4 groups, at 4 stations
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Circle of hide
– 1 hide lace
– 6 wooden beads
– Sage
– Tobacco
– Cedar
– Sweetgrass
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary.
DURATION: 50 minutes
Jason Sikoak, artist from Nunatsiavut currently working with mixed media, pen-and-ink drawing and linolieum cut printmaking, will lead students in creating their own character and story.
MATERIALS PROVIDED:
– Drawing Paper
– Graphite Pencils
– Artist Eraser
After teaching students some basic drawing techniques, Jason will create a character, along with a story that this character stars in. Students will then be guided to create their own character and stories that they will be invited to share with the rest of the class.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
DURATION : Variable depending on project
Jason Sikoak, a practising artist from Nunatsiavut currently working with mixed media, pen-and-ink drawing and linolieum cut printmaking, creates meaninful, profound and beautiful pieces. Jason’s murals often incorporative Indigenous themes, motifs and imagery. As one of the artists behind the official Truth and Reconciliation keepsake commemorative coin, Jason’s work has been enjoyed across the country.
Collaborating with students and staff, Jason will guide each project from start to finish, from the brainstorming of the idea, to the completion of the finished project. A restorative and motivating process for everyone involved, Jason’s murals projects are memorable experiences that can be enjoyed for years to come.
