Indigenous Awareness with Kelly Brownbill

About The Workshop

Indigenous Awareness is a complimentary four-hour, in-person remote workshop that lays a foundation upon which to build a working knowledge of Canadian-Indigenous relations and the issues facing Indigenous People today. High level of topics covered:

• Predominant cultures in North America and Europe at first contact
• Land usage, governance, family structures and spirituality
• History of colonization and a chronological history of significant events starting from the Royal Proclamation of 1763
• Resulting conditions and realities in Indigenous communities
• Tools for engaging Indigenous People and communities

This engaging workshop will involve a slide presentation, storytelling, and provides the opportunity for learners to ask questions and interact with the trainer and each other.

For more information about this workshop, including participant evaluations at the District of Muskoka: https://muskoka.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/36517?preview=36531

About The Facilitator

Kelly Brownbill’s spirit name, Wabunnoongakikwe, means Woman Who Comes from the East and she is proud to be Waabizhashi Dodem, Marten Clan. She is a member of the Flat Bay community of the Mi’kmaq Nation in Newfoundland. Kelly currently resides in Simcoe County and is a member of the Three Fires Midewin Lodge.

Kelly has over 20 years of experience working with organizations across Ontario and helping their staff become more culturally competent in offering services to Indigenous Peoples. Her work includes conducting cultural awareness programs across a wide range of sectors, including health services, municipalities and social services.  Kelly continues to follow the guidance of her elders, both here and in the spirit realm.

Workshop Dates 

To register for a workshop, select the dates and times that work best for you. Please note: all but the June 8th workshop are split into two, two-hour sessions.  

Evening 7 to 9 pm

• Workshop 1: April 13 and 20
• Workshop 2: April 21 and 28
• Workshop 3: April 26 and May 3

Daytime 2 to 4 pm

• Workshop 4: May 11 and 18
• Workshop 5: May 19 and 26
• Workshop 6: May 24 and 31

Whole Workshop 12:30 to 4:30 pm

• Workshop 7: June 8

These workshops are being offered as a partnership between the District Municipality of Muskoka, the Muskoka Area Indigenous Leadership Table, and the Muskoka Community Foundation, and in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.