A Series of Free Virtual Workshops For Indigenous Survivors
February 2025 – May 2025
Free Workshop Series for Indigenous Survivors
Remembering Our Ancestors workshop series is designed for Indigenous survivors of sexualized violence of all marginalized genders and is rooted in culture and tradition. Due to colonization and other forms of oppression, many Indigenous peoples have become disconnected from their teachings and ways of being, especially when living in an urban setting and separated from their communities.
This series runs from February to May 2025, with a new workshop offered each month led by an Elder or Knowledge Keeper. Each workshop in the series includes 2 monthly sessions, culminating in a closing ceremony in June. Participants are encouraged to attend all workshops in the series to foster a deeper connection with the teachings and with one another.
Remembering Our Ancestors aims to reconnect participants with cultural teachings to re-establish a connection to the land, promote traditional healing for the mind, body, and spirit, reclaim ancestral stories and integrate Indigenous teachings into daily life for holistic healing.
This workshop series is free for all Indigenous survivors of marginalized genders! Connect with community by registering today!
Upcoming Workshops
Lakota Teaching Series: February 2025
In this workshop series, join Two-Spirit Métis elder Bonaventure Fabian (he/they/them) for Lakota teachings.
February 21st, 2025 – Chanunpa (Teachings of the Pipe)
February 28th, 2025 – Inipi & Purification (Sweat Lodge Teachings)
About the Facilitator
Two-spirit elder Bonaventure Fabian (he/they/them) is a very proud warrior of the Red River Métis from Treaty One Territory, living on the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Territories since 1978. Involved in ceremony for nearly 30 years they are a Sundancer and Pipe Carrier who dances alongside the men. Bon believes we are all gifts from Creator wherever we fit on the spectrum. They have a gift for connecting with people of all genders and are warm, welcoming, playful, and creative.
Past Workshops
Laughter as Medicine – February 7, 14, 20, 27, 2024
In this workshop series, Annie will share different ways to release stress and tension through humour, relaxation techniques, and journalling.
Workshop Dates
February 7 – Healing with Humour
Exploring laughter and play and the importance of leisure activities.
February 14 – Learning to Relax
Understanding our bodies and how to decompress our daily tension.
February 21 – Dealing with Emotions
Dedicating time for personal growth through journaling.
February 28 – Personal Freedom
Breaking through barriers to find our bliss.
About the Facilitator
Hailing from Kawacatoose First Nation in Saskatchewan, Annie celebrates over 30 years experience in public relations and community development. Having worked with First Nations communities throughout Canada as a front line worker and addictions specialist Annie recognizes the need for Indigenous growth and expansion. In 2019 Annie was the recipient of the Governor Generals intangible cultural heritage award for her participation in the Kronau museum history minutes, a video diary documenting first nations oral history of powwow. Ms. Brass is a firm believer in First Nation self determination and financial independence.
Whether it’s enjoying one of her dynamic comedy routines, informative workshop or developing business strategies Annie has always maintained a positive & thoughtful outlook on life. Growing up in The Key Anishinabek First Nation, Annie is re-learning her mother language, and believes that we can never stop learning or experiencing new things. The old adage of you will never know until you try has kept Annie busy for the past few decades, and will likely keep her busy in the future!
Spoken Word Poetry & Performance
Join artist, activator, and aunty Zoey Roy as she hosts 4 virtual sessions on using writing as a tool for healing.
Workshop Dates
Workshop One – Connecting to Yourself Through Writing
This is a supported writing circle that offers prompts, space for sharing, and listening.
Workshop Two – The Truth About Stories
In a trauma-informed way we will write and share about stories that shape us, make us, wake us, and shake us.
Workshop Three – Third Person Writing
We’re going to be the narrator and tell a story that lives in us.
Workshop Four – Oral Storytelling with Kung Jaadee
We will listen, be inspired, and end with a reflective writing or sharing session.
About the Facilitator
Zoey Roy is Nehithaw-Dené and Michif, and is a citizen of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Northern Saskatchewan and is based in Kingston, ON. She is an Artist. Activator. Aunty. And a rebel with a cause. A humorous presenter and a luminous storyteller, Zoey offers practical wisdom for living well amongst the violence of settler colonialism. A lover of words, having fun and synthesizing knowledge, she has spent most of her life traveling the globe sharing her gift of gab through performances, keynote presentations and workshops. Zoey is a hip-hop inspired poet with an insatiable appetite for learning and growing. She has a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Public Policy and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Education where she is looking at how Indigenous people are using social media to actualize their identities, families, and Nations.
Lakota Teaching Series
Join Two-spirit elder Bonaventure Fabian as he shares four ceremonies from Lakota teachings.
Workshop Dates
Workshop One – Chanunpa (Sacred Pipe)
Why we use the pipe, protocol, and the meaning to carry one
Workshop Two – Inipi/purification (Sweat Lodge)
Why one would go to Inipi while learning the benefits and protocols
Workshop Three – Hanbleceya (Fasting, Crying for vision, Vision quest)
The purpose of fasting
Workshop Four – Wiwanke Wachipi Sundance
What is a Sundance?
Grief and Ancestor Healing – November 29th, December 6th, 13th & 20th, 2023 | 6pm – 8pm PST
During these two hour sessions Elder Sharon ᐙbᐃᔥᒃbᐃᓀᓯ ᐃᑴ in Ojibway, will offer a ceremony, teachings and a sharing circle so everyone will have the opportunity to learn, share, and pray together. All teachings will work with grief, connection to the world of spirit and ancestor healing, storytelling, and land based ceremonies.
Workshop Dates
November 29th – All my relations
Mystical connections in the natural world and physical connections to the mystical world
December 6th – Grandmother Moon illuminates the Darkness
We are never alone. The Spirits walk with us.
December 13th – The Sacred Power of One
The wisdom of our Ancestors
December 20th – Ghost Machine
Creating healing and our connection to the spirit world.
About the Facilitator
ᐙbᐃᔥᒃbᐃᓀᓯ ᐃᑴ (Sharon Jinkerson-Brass) is a member of Key First Nation in Saskatchewan. Sharon was part of the “sixties scoop” but reunited with her family in the 1980’s. Sharon received her cultural teachings from her beloved Anishinaabe grandmother Rebecca, who was a midwife and traditional healer. Sharon’s cultural heritage has inspired all of her art and way of living.
Sharon is an award-winning artist who was the artistic director of “Big Sky”, a successful multi-media company that performed in the US and Canada. For 30 years Sharon has also been a community leader working for social change for the Aboriginal Community in the areas of arts, culture, health and community development.
Sharon believes that a relevant, sustainable cultural foundation is the key for wellness for her people and all people. Her path has led her to embrace a harm reduction, low barrier, intersectional collaborative approach to culture, ceremony and community engagement.