[Adults, youth]
Live via Webex (link will be emailed to you before the event)
Wednesday, March 8
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Advanced registration required; space is limited. Register online using the form below, in person at any locations, or by phone by calling Member Services at 905-623-7322 x2712.
No charge.
Embark on a journey into tending to your own fire of storytelling. Every writer has a beginning spark and finding the kindling to grow the flame is step one. Stories, lived experiences, dreams and ancestral knowledge is kindling at reach. Join Heather O’Watch as she shares her journey into tending to her fire, and offers some kindling to participants.
This program is presented as part of the Ancestral Voices series. Please see our blog post for more information and other speakers in the series.
Presented in collaboration with York, Durham, and Peel Libraries.
Heather O’Watch (she/her) is a Nakoda and Cree woman from the Okanese First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory. She also has paternal ties to Cegakin (Carry The Kettle) First Nation. Heather is currently enrolled in a Master’s Degree in Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies from the First Nations University of Canada. Heather currently works for a global Indigenous Rights organization and was recently selected amongst 3 other young Canadians to represent Canada at the upcoming G7 Summit as Young Diplomats of Canada. Beyond the realm of her work in Indigenous rights and policy, Heather tends to her passion for storytelling.
Heather considers herself a storyteller and an avid story listener. She often reflects about the stories and teachings she has witnessed in her life from her parents, grandparents, and in community from Elders and knowledge keepers. Heather began writing and creating her own stories at a very early age and continues to tend her passion through poetry and short stories.
She is currently publishing her first Children’s book titled Auntie’s Rez Surprise with Second Story Press.
Discover our shared histories, our unique lived experiences, and the past, present, and future of storytelling in this conversation series hosted by Kim Wheatley and Maxine Gordon Palomino. Meet and learn from established and emerging artists and authors who represent diverse Indigenous, Caribbean, African and Black communities. Check our website for a schedule of speakers, information on how to register, and additional learning resources.
Presented in collaboration with York, Durham and Peel Libraries.
Maxine Gordon Palomino is an award-winning emerging storyteller, lawyer (Ontario & Jamaica) and partner at Palomino Gordon Law Professional Corporation, and the co-developer and host of Ancestral Voices. She has over ten years of experience as a public speaker, and served on a community task force providing recommendations on the dismantling of anti-Black racism. Maxine is dedicated to championing own-voices storytelling, and to highlighting the interconnection of heritage and cultural stories to belonging and identity. Of Caribbean heritage, she has presented at international and national storytelling events, and to college students in the USA as part of their communication and diversity studies.
Kim Wheatley is an award winning public speaker, event organizer, writer, ceremonial practitioner and Traditional Anishinaabe Grandmother, and the co-developer and host of Ancestral Voices. She has over 30 years of experience providing Anishinaabe Consultation services locally, nationally and internationally, and has worked with most major universities in southern Ontario, many colleges, public and private schools, government organizations, special interest groups, environmental groups, corporations, institutions and spiritual groups. Kim’s intention is to serve those she collaborates with to provide authentic voiced supports, insights and truths.
You may register in person at any branch, by phoning Member Services at 905-623-7322 x2712, or online using the form below.
If you experience any issues with the form, please contact Member Services. If the form does not appear correctly, the event may be fully registered. You can check back later to see if space has opened up, or try registering through our Eventbrite page directly.
