Tag Archives: Better Together Circle

Westport’s Orange Shirt Day Gathering

Every child matters. On September 30th, people across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada.

Congratulations to the local Better Together Circle (BTC) volunteers who hosted the community Orange Shirt Day on Friday in Lockwood Park, Westport. The gathering began with Elder Mireille LaPointe smudging for the participants while explaining the purpose of the smudge. There was much to do and see including artwork by Rideau Vista Public School students who were in attendance. Elder LaPointe closed the afternoon with a circle and finally with quiet reflection for the things we are grateful for.

Volunteers include Susan Withers, Lana Nolan. Yasmin Khan, Delvalle Lewis DelSilva, Jayne Walker, and Sandy Prentice. Librarians: Vickie Stevens, Pam Stuffles. Beading: Maggie Stewart.

Hope to join you again next September 30.

Meegwetch.

photo by Marty Crapper.

Invitation to a Blanket Exercise sponsored by Better Together Circle.

On Monday, August 26 from 7:00 – 9:00 at North Crosby, you will have an opportunity to participle in a Blanket Exercise sponsored by Better Together Circle. In this workshop blankets are used to represent land and the historic process of colonization and its effects on modern day relationships between Indigenous and non-indigenous people. If you plan to attend you will need to register as space is limited.   We will be offering refreshments and although it is a free event we will be accepting donations to help offset costs. (see poster below for contact information)

Better Together Circle is a group newly formed, in June 2019, after completing an Indigenous Studies course given by Queens University Prof. Bob Lovelace.  They are a volunteer non for profit group interested in several areas, including Reconciliation, Resilience, Sustainability,  Environment and Climate Change & its effect on the Environment.

They are working with Indigenous and Non Indigenous Peoples to educate, (affect) support positive change, improve our way of life, involve the community in learning events & social events, (develop and implement) encourage change in how we live together, and care for the Environment, the Earth and each other.  As the Group evolves, they may include additional areas of interest from participants.

Poster Blanket exercise draftfaded