Changing of Seasons


Change of Seasons logo, comprised of 4 coloured circles - green, yellow, red, and blue - and iconography representings the seasons of the year.

A celebration and honouring of each change in season. An opportunity to gather as a community to learn from Indigenous knowledge keepers and to build relationships. The Changing of the Seasons Ceremonies have been made possible through the support of the Collingwood Indigenous Circle.

 


Fall Equinox

September 24, 2023 - Awen’ Gathering Place

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Collingwood Indigenous Circle logo in small triangle sitting above and to the left of female face framed in square, above female traditional dancer framed in square and to the right of female face with strawberry earrings also framed in a square. Autumn leaves in a blue background.
  • Join Knowledge Keeper Sheila Robson as we honour the Fall Equinox through Indigenous cultural teaching and knowledge sharing. Jennifer McFarlane and Heather McIntyre will emcee the gathering joined by jingle dress dancer Ode'imin Kwe and traditional dancer Sharon Rigby. Activities will include Indigenous teachings, sacred fire, corn husk doll craft, three sisters soup with bannock and Indigenous vendor sales.  Attendees wearing a ribbon skirt, ribbon shirt or Indigenous handmade items may enter the event raffle.

  •  

    The Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
    94 Call to Action StoryWalk©

    Train Trail

    September 18 - October 2

  • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) published its 94 Calls to Action in 2015. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is one action  is one step on the path forward. Beyond 94 explores progress status of each of the 94 calls to action.
  • Take a walk along the Train Trail and explore each of the calls to action issued in order to "redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation."
  • StoryWalk© is located along the Train Trail. It begins at the Collingwood Museum and follows the trail to Collins Street.
  • Cover page of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada logo

       

      National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

      Doorway Installation

      Collingwood Museum

      September 18 - October 2

    • "It can start with a knock on the door one morning. It is the local Indian agent, or the parish priest, or, perhaps, a mounted Poice officer... The officials have arrived and the children must go."

    • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission gathered information from individuals, families, and communities who bravely shared their experience of residential schools collecting over 7,000 Survivor statements and 5 million documents from the government, churches and schools.  The book, A Knock on the Door  shares material gathered by the TRC and presents the essential history and legacy of residential schools setting a path forward to reconciliation.
    • The doorway installation was inspired by the immensity of work  undertaken and the strength of survivors to uncover the truth.  
    • Please visit the installation, add an orange feather and explore poetry shared by Jillian Morris. Take this time to reflect on our collective responsibilities for reconciliation.
    • Orange feathers are available at the Collingwood Museum, Collingwood Public Library and Town Hall beginning Tuesday, September 18, 2023
      •  

        Fall Equinox Indigenous Vendors

        Awen’ Gathering Place

        September 24 - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

      • Wild and Glorious, Spirit Daughter Beading, Dear Trauma, Caribou Creations, and Opulence Apothecary


      • Sweat Lodge

        • The Madoodiswan (Sweat Lodge) is one of the oldest Indigenous Ceremonies in North America. This Ceremony has been practised and preserved within many Indigenous Nations for thousands of years.   The Sweat Lodge represents the Womb of Mother Earth. In this Ancient Ceremony, there is an opportunity for individuals to build their Spirit Connection, cleanse their Physical Beings, and seek guidance from our Ancestors. There are many reasons to attend a ‘Sweat Lodge Ceremony’ however participants are often on their individual personal healing journeys, at times seeking clarity for their ‘Path of Life’.   The Ceremony itself is believed to be its own Living being. So, when we attend a ‘Lodge’ for the first time we can feel comfortable and safe that “Mother Earth’s Womb” will take good care of us.   The Lodge Ceremony will help us Balance, our Mind, Body, Spirit, and Emotions. This of course is all achieved by asking the spirits for that healing. The Lodge Ceremony really encourages participants to be their True Self and to remember their own Spirit.   The Ceremony was shared with the Anishinabek so that we would have opportunities to heal and cleanse our Sacred Lifeforce within us. The Lodge will help us remember our connection to all things within Creation and give us time to honour the Sacred Balance of all Life.
           

         

        Three Sisters Soup

        • The Three Sisters, three crops: corn, beans and squash are traditionally, for some Indigenous Nations, grown together, working harmonously to stregthen one another through support, nutrients and protection. The Three Sisters story is an important Indigenous teaching and cultural practice.   Three Sisters Soup will be prepared by the Collingwood Youth Centre Culinary interns guided by the program Chef and an Indigenous facilitator.


          Winter Solstice

          December 21, 2023 - Awen’ Gathering Place

          Test text