Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day and Honour Strawberry Season by participating in Heart Berry Workshops!
The strawberry is known as the ‘heart berry’ to many Indigenous nations, with June being the time when this medicine makes itself known. Its arrival signals a time for communal gathering, celebration, initiation and acknowledging creation. Register to virtual and in-person workshops today!
Photo Credit: Brigitte Tohm
Upcoming Events
Heart Berry: Strengthening Our Connections (In-person Beading Circle)
On Saturday, July 8 from 11 AM – 4:30 PM, join Lindsey Lickers and STEPS for a free beading circle workshop in Rowntree Mills Park! Participants will create beaded strawberry pins, celebrate the heart berry season and explore how we can strengthen our relationship with ourselves, the land and creation.
All materials and a light lunch will be provided. Registration for this free workshop is required.
Past Events
Heart Berry: Strengthening Our Connections Virtual Teachings
On National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), the community came together virtually for an evening sharing circle to continue our journey toward reconciliation through knowledge exchange and truth telling.
Watch the recorded online sharing circle where we hear the teachings of the strawberry and perspectives from three Oshkabewis (ceremonial helpers) Lindsey Lickers, Kelly Lavallee, and Melissa Stevenson with STEPS Public Art.
About the Events
This series is part of From Weeds We Grow, an interdisciplinary public community art project that started in 2020 that explores Toronto’s Rexdale community’s relationship to the environment through the intersections of nature, art and wellness. Since then, the program has returned each year featuring a diverse array of activations from virtual walking tours, workshops, storytelling and performances.
Accessibility Notice
STEPS Public Art is committed to the community’s full participation in this event. Please indicate the support you require during registration or contact Ima Esin, Cultural Planner (ima@stepspublicart.org) to share accommodation requests.
Photography/Videography Notice
Please be advised photographs and video may be taken during events. This may include photography of event activities and participants for archival and promotional purposes. If you would not like to be photographed, please inform a staff member on the day of.
About the Facilitators
Lindsey Lickers
Facilitator
Kelly Lavallee
Facilitator
Melissa Stevenson
Facilitator
Melissa is Anishnaabe-Cree kwe from Peguis First Nation in Northern Manitoba. She is bear clan and a mom to three amazing little boys who are her world. All roles she feels very much defines who she is and who she aims to be. She is a registered nurse who has worked for the entirety of her career within the urban Indigenous community in the Greater Toronto Area. She worked for the local Indigenous community health centre for 10 years and then for 2 years in a policy and advisory role within a public health unit to now working in post-secondary education. Currently she is teaching within a nursing program. She is board president of the Indigenous Network in Mississauga and is very much committed to advocating for better access to traditional healing services as a way to improve Indigenous peoples’ overall health and wellbeing. She feels spiritual healing is vital in helping us understand how to care for our physical health. It is through our teachings and ceremonies that we are reminded of our sacredness, and we can live Mino Bimaadiziwin, that good life.
PROJECT PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
From Weeds We Grow is made possible by the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council and the New Horizons for Seniors Program funded by the Government of Canada.
