The Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt will host a series of educational and cross-cultural learning opportunities over the course of the annual Haudenosaunee deer harvest at Short Hills Provincial Park. These workshops align with the work already started through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and express our commitment to the Commission’s calls to action. In honour of the Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation we build on the spirit and intent of the Treaty of Niagara of 1764 by reaffirming nation-to-nation relationships. These events are offered as community building initiatives that will promote peace and reconciliation through the lens of “intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism” (TRC, Call to Action 28).
To download the document for more information, including a listing of all event dates and times, please click here
Schedule of Reconciliation Events & Activities
November 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, Dec 1st and Dec 2nd from 4:30 am-7:30pm
Peace Food Table and Fireside Community Dialogue: On-going, every day of the harvest. Everyone is welcome to share vegan and non-vegan food together. Food donations, or cash donations, to put toward the food table, are gratefully accepted. Please clearly label all food provided for the table. By providing food for everyone (including the hunters, Ministry of Natural Resources staff, police, protesters, supporters, and the community at large) we come together in peace and friendship. Informal community dialogue and visit hosted at the fire, as led by the fire keepers. All community members interested in bringing an open mind to share and learn in an atmosphere of peaceful dialogue are most welcome.
Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
Thursday November 17th from 5:30pm -8pm
Community Social at Niagara Regional Native Centre. Everyone welcome. Potluck dinner with dancing and songs to follow.
Location: 382 Airport Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Friday November 18th at 3pm
Inviting peace and understanding: Traditional opening and welcome to recognize the land and help us come together in a good way. Led by Karl Dockstader, Oneida of the Thames Bear Clan.
Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
Saturday November 19th from 2pm-4pm
Beading workshop with teachings about the Two-Row Wampum. Workshop led by Bruce Smith, Vice President of the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre. Workshop sponsored by Educators for Justice. All materials provided.
Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
Sunday November 20th from 2pm-4pm
The Blanket Exercise. This activity is a teaching tool developed by KAIROS to raise awareness and understanding of the Nation-to-Nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Facilitated by Donna Bomberry, Cayuga Nation, Haudenosaunee, and Henriette Thompson, settler-ally, past KAIROS board member.
Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
Tuesday November 22nd from 5:30pm-8:00pm
Cultural drop-in, hosted by the Niagara Regional Native Centre. 16+ event featuring Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe cultural lessons including athletics, arts & crafts, language, native cuisine, songs and dance. Dinner provided.
Location: 382 Airport Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Saturday November 26th at 4:30 pm
Educational film screening of “Sweet Blood”, a documentary that investigates the relationship between diabetes and returning to a pre-contact traditional diet. Produced for the Canadian Cree Health Board, awarded Best Public Service at the 34th annual American Indian Film Festival. Sponsored by Niagara Artists Centre (www.nac.org).
Shirley Cheechoo, Brock University’s Chancellor and award-winning film director, shares “I know that I feel much healthier when I eat traditional foods such as moose, goose and deer. This is one of the reasons I wanted to make this film and why I wanted it to be shared at the Short Hills – to help educate people that going back to traditional ways of life, including harvesting traditional foods, is a fundamental part of the healing process”.
Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
Sunday November 27th at 3pm
Members of Strong Water Women will share their stories and the ways that coming together has strengthened identity, resistance and cultural resurgence. All community members are welcome to join in song and celebration as the group provides lessons around community building through song. Drums & shakers welcome.
Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
Tuesday November 29th from 6pm-9pm
Haudenosaunee Wampum Belts and Treaties, featuring Jamie Jacobs, Tonawanda Seneca of the Turtle Clan. Ritual custodian on the Tonawanda Seneca territory.
Location: Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, 796 Buffalo Road, Fort Erie.
Thursday December 1st from 3pm-4pm
Art installation: In the audio work, Graciously Pleased, we hear the Nanfan Treaty read in the Mohawk and English languages and voices of Niagara community members expressing what it means to be a treaty person. The Mohawk version is translated and read by Tehahenteh. This work is part of activities of the Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt for the Short Hills Harvest.
Installation artist, Elizabeth Chitty, is a Niagara artist whose work is place-based, often addressing governance issues around water. Since the 1990s her passion for reconciliation between settlers and First Nations is reflected in her work.
Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
Friday December 2, 2016 at 3:00pm
Closing Ceremonies: Giving thanks and moving forward in peace, friendship and respect. Location: Pelham Road entrance to the Short Hills Provincial Park.
