On the Land we Love
The Town of Collingwood presents On The Land We Love - a multi-week celebration of where we live, the land we enjoy, and the people around us. Taking place June 5th – July 21st, On The Land We Love is a way to get active outdoors (socially distanced) and learn about each other in our community through virtual and interactive experiences.
Inspired by World Environment Day (June 5), National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27), and Canada Day (July 1), On The Land We Love brings together community, culture, arts, and heritage. Join us in celebrating the rich diversity of Collingwood through the stories and experiences of our community and the relationship to where we live and grow together.
On The Land We Love showcases the stories and experiences of our community through music, dance, poetry, photography, visual art, and many more artistic expressions. Engage online or through a series of interactive trail markers positioned in outdoor spaces including along Collingwood trails, in parks, and in Collingwood Downtown, in mapped out loops of varying lengths spanning 2km to 10km.
Getting Involved
Beginning May 5th, the community is invited to send us an expression of your connection to this land using the means with which you are most comfortable including art, language, photographs, music, and dance. We want to hear, see, and feel how where you live has shaped who you are!
Ideas you may wish to consider:
- How your connection to the land may shape the way you see situations.
- Your relationship with the land and ways to strengthen this connection.
- How the land has defined our community and who we are.
- What words come to mind when you think about land.
- Human responsibility for the land.
- Why we live where we do.
- The history of this land.
To submit your expression click the button below, share some details behind who you are and what inspired you, and upload your file by May 21st at 2:00pm EST. Your submission must be an original work and may take the form of an image, text file, video file, or audio file. All types of media are welcome including: painting, drawing, printing, written or spoken work, mixed media, audio plays, and musical performances - and there is no limit on the number of expressions you can share. Remember to follow all COVID-19 health and safety protocols when creating your submissions.
Exploring our Diversity
Beginning June 5th and added to each week following, the stories you’ve submitted will be shared with our community both online and on the land. Inspiring us all to continue exploring, engaging, and learning throughout the celebration, the weekly releases will be complemented by a weekly virtual workshop series featuring a diverse group of facilitators including Indigenous artist and educator, Naomi Smith, who will teach about the history of the Indigenous hairpipe and lead the participants in the creation of their own hairpipe bracelet using traditional materials. Additional workshops will feature dance and drumming. The workshop series will begin on June 5th and continue each week for 7 weeks.
There will also be additional special activities highlighted and continuously updated in celebration of the four national days of celebration which were the inspiration for On The Land We Love. Watch for a special Canada Day Virtual Trivia Contest, National Environment Day crafts, Canadian Multiculturalism Day projects, and more.
On The Land We Love is presented by the Town of Collingwood with generous support from Collingwood Downtown.
