First Voices: Indigenous Peoples and Communities at Concordia

First Voices week is an Indigenous-led event that celebrates First peoples and communities at Concordia and within the larger community. We welcome Indigenous Elders, speakers, and artists to engage with the Concordia community. Essentially, First Voices is an outlet for Indigenous students, staff, faculty, and community members to say “we’re here”, to have a place at Concordia and to recognize the importance of Indigenous languages, cultures, and knowledge systems. We make an effort to demonstrate the diversity of Indigenous cultures and include people from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

These events help to create a space on campus and within academia for First Peoples and communities and promote awareness of Indigenous languages, cultures, and knowledges. Recognizing that First peoples are present and being willing to engage with local Indigenous communities in a meaningful and respectful way helps to foster stronger bonds within the Concordia community (and beyond). It is also a unique educational opportunity for Concordia students, adding a layer to their learning experience that they would be unlikely to have otherwise.


MONDAY JANUARY 30

10:00 AM - Opening Ceremony (H 767)
- Kanien’kehá:ka Elder Charlie Patton & Travelling Spirit Drumming Group
11:00 AM - “Defending the Sacred: Solidarity with Standing
Rock” (H 763)
- Kahnawà:ke People’s Fire & Stacey Huff
12:30 PM - Living Library (H 763)
- “Looking Back to Move Forward; Finding Peace through Cultural Based
Healing”, with Merrick Kahroniakete Diabo.
5:00 PM - Sovereign Acts II (Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery)
- Lecture by Richard William Hill.
7:00 PM - Cinéma Politica Film Screening (H 110)
- Kanien’kehá:ka filmmaker Roxann Whitebean.

TUESDAY JANUARY 31

10:00 AM - Faculty Lecture (H 763)
- Dr. Louellyn White.
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM - In-Class Blanket Exercise (MB 7.270)
12:00 PM - Living Library (H 763)
- “Indigenous Languages Revitalization”, Kahtehrón:ni Iris Stacey.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Panel Discussion (H 767)
- “Cities of Tomorrow: Indigenous Peoples and Urban Inequality in Quebec”.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 1

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Workshop on anti-racism and
appropriation of Indigenous Cultures (H 763)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM- Community Discussion (H 767)
- Indigenous Directions at Concordia.
2:45 PM - 5:30 PM - In-Class Blanket Exercise (MU 101)
6:30 PM - “A Conversation with Ellen Katsitsakwas Gabriel”
(H 767)

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Living Library (H 763)
- Ossie Michelin: Inuit Food In/security
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Dream Catcher Workshop with Indigenous
Student Council (H 763)
2:45 PM - 5:30 PM - In-Class Blanket Exercise (SCPA)
6:30 PM - Keynote Speaker: Deborah McGregor (H 763)
- “Indigenous Environmental Justice, Knowledge and Law”

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3
5:30 PM - First Voices Social & Closing Ceremony
(Hive Café - Loyola)
- Master of Ceremonies: Timothy Armstrong, Indigenous Traditional &
Contemporary Singing and dancing, vendors, prizes and free Food!