WORKSHOPS

Workshops are only available to on reserve

Indigenous Women's Groups | Indigenous Health Care & Community Groups

book your workshop

Smudge Feathers | Feather Bundles | Talking Feathers

- one of a kind workshops -

Pass The Feather, Dawn, Indigenous artist, artist, feathers, graphic design, web design, smudge feathers, IndigenARTSY, native american arts and crafts, moon time, moon water

Meet Mr. T

Our Feather Bundle workshops are infused with valuable lessons that reflect respect for others, respect for our land and the animals that we share it with. We explore natural order and introduce the ways in which Indigenous cultures hold Mother Earth's animals in high esteem. Mr. T accompanies us to every workshop as does our entire collection of hand made artifacts that our participants love to explore.

Feather Bundles

Feather bundles or ‘Talking Feathers’ play a very important role in our Indigenous Nations. Sharing circles are now used widely in our school systems and workplaces and feather bundles are also traditionally used by individuals to direct medicines in spiritual and physical healing and cleansing (ex: smudging). All of these teachings are visited in our workshops.

Equality

This workshop initiative cultivates a more respectful connection between Ontario’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities by tapping into mutual interests despite different histories or ideologies. By recognizing mutual ground such as art and environment, we have an opportunity to create a reciprocal relationship and decrease the perceptions of inequality.

For Educators

As of fall 2016, each school board in Ontario has a position that is designated to support the implementation of the Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework. School boards within Ontario now have an 'Indigenous Lead' who should be an Indigenous person holding the capacity to provide authentic Indigenous worldviews.

For educators looking for funding and resources like this workshop, please contact your school board and access the funding that is available for Indigenous studies.

You must cover the cost of our materials, time and travel. In my case, to collect and clean feathers in this quantity is very hard work and materials such as hide are very expensive. Please do not ask an Indigenous Elder or Knowledgekeeper to teach in your classroom without offering an honorarium. To learn more about procedure and honorariums, click here for an excellent document by Carleton University.

Please contact us for more info.

A note regarding material fees. This is a letter meant to be reviewed by school teachers and school boards before asking any Indigenous person to make a presentation in your classroom/school/community.

"In my most sincere voice, I really wish that materials were not so expensive, but we (Indigenous workshop facilitators) cannot afford to buy them for your students, drive them there, present them and teach about them for 3 hours. Workshops are 'work'.

We encounter a lot of educators that want us (Indigenous people) to share our cultures in the classroom. We recognize that it is an opportunity to advance understanding of our cultures and we want to do so...we really do. Most of us even do it for free at first - that is, until we realize that the gas is coming out of our grocery money.

Coming to your classroom costs us a lot; a day away from work or family, gas, food (and sometimes hotel) the craft materials and, most importantly, we are sharing the most intimate parts of our lives - our spirituality.

Collectively, Indigenous people are trying to help change the way Canadians understand us. Historically we have been undervalued as contributors to Canadian culture...Tell me, what has changed if we cannot even reconcile fees for our expenses? Why are we invited?

Educators are getting paid to be in the school and teach in the classroom. Indigenous women teaching students should be valued in the same way and as equals who bring important worldviews to the attention of students. Teaching non-Indigenous children is not our obligation - we have our own communities, children and youth to take care of.

Please pass this along to your colleagues. I dare to speak on behalf of Indigenous women in the classrooms."

Nia:wen and kindest regards,

Dawn | Iehstoseranón:nha (She Keeps the Feathers)| Mary Francis

Founder, Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada | Owner, Pass The Feather

Women's Groups

Adult workshops allow us to (re)connect with the natural world and to take time to reflect on our dependance on Mother Earth. They give us an opportunity to reconsider our perspectives on family, friends and colleagues and offer a new outlook on equality and acceptance.

We will practice and explore the healing and spiritual benefits of sharing circles and how intergenerational trauma and blood memory profoundly affect our lifestyle and[re]actions. We also touch on bird medicines, sustainable hunting practice and ornithology.

Each participant will receive a variety of feathers, hide and beads to work with. All are welcome to be creative and design sharing circle bundles, regalia fans or smudge feathers that are suitable to their personal needs and uses.

Participants and Costs

Isohetst ne ostó:ser | Pass The Feather workshops are designed for Indigenous women returning to their culture and Indigenous women who are seeking knowledge and a greater connection to bird medicines. I am open to working in any safe, inclusive and respectful spaces such as classrooms, communities, workplaces.

My workshops are generally 2-2.5 hours depending on the group's schedule. I have been known to shorten workshops to accommodate certain schedules but warn that many groups are very responsive and desire more discussion time.

Most groups will work with three or more types of feathers, minimum of two colours of hide and wooden beads.

Feather Bundle Workshops and Sharing | Talking Circle Gatherings quotations are available upon request. Feather Bundle workshops are usually $70+ per participant (depending on materials and demographics). Mileage and per diam for food and accommodation is required. If you are an Indigenous woman or group on reserve and you have no funding, email your request.