Dawnissog and Wigwamen Quilting and Sharing Partnership

The Native Women's Resource of Toronto (NWRCT) sees an opportunity to share stories and cultural knowledge between Aboriginal youth and Aboriginal seniors. New knowledge and relationships will then be reflected in a quilt built together by the two groups.

Traditionally, in many Aboriginal cultures the elders in the community were responsible to share their knowledge with the youth. For many years the NWRCT has facilitated the annual Youth and Elders Gathering, a weekend long event each spring. The participating youth benefit immensely from spending time with their Elders, learning about their culture, identity, and ways of being. The youth become more self-aware, prideful, confident, and are introduced to healthy relationship models. This project urges a more sustained relationship building model where youth and elders develop relationships over time. Connecting with one's culture and learning from our elders, can act as a protective factor from depression, addictions, gangs, and suicide; issues that are all too common among the urban Aboriginal youth population. NWRCT has housed many elders in Wigwamen Terrace and understand their need for social interaction and cultural inclusion. They enjoy spending time with youth and sharing their stories. Many of our elders are terrific quilters and can teach youth this new skill. It is important to many of our senior community members to pass on the cultural knowledge that was given to them. The ability to connect and mentor younger Aboriginal people helps our seniors feel appreciated and provides them with a social outlet. Some elders are also challenged by mobility and would welcome programming to occur in their residence, rather than travel to a program. Finally, seniors in our community may face isolation as their friends pass on and family members may not be able to visit as often as desired. By providing consistent programming in their residence, our elders will be able to participate as active citizens in our community.

The NWRCT Dawnissog Youth Program would partner with elders in the Wigwamen Terrace, an apartment complex for Aboriginal seniors. A sharing circle would be created and encompass traditional food, stories, and cultural teachings. The stories and teachings that emerge will then be reflected in the quilts made collectively by the youth and seniors. The partnership would be extended to any Aboriginal youth group in Toronto and any Aboriginal elders that would like to share and learn from each other. Traditional Elders and healers within our community would be welcome to share their teachings as well.

This idea attempts to empower our Aboriginal community by sharing cultural knowledge, connecting our people, and strengthening our collective capacity and resiliency by returning to traditional ways of learning.