25th Anniversary: Dream Catcher and Beading Workshop
*
*
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=252578284790820
*

Thursday November 10th, 2011

6:30-8:30 pm

The Centre for Women and Trans People (UofT)

563 Spadina Ave, Room 100. Wheelchair-accessible entrance through Bancroft Ave.

Food and drinks will be provided.
Free!

Join us for an evening of crafts, socialization, food, and fun! Facilitated by artists & educators Sharon L. Clarke and Wade Smoke. This event will launch The Centre’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Yes, 25 years of resistance!

For more information contact:

womens.centre AT utoronto DOT ca or 416-978-8201
http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/

Dream Catcher and Beading Workshop – Facilitator Biographies:

SHARON L. CLARKE is a member of the Secwepemc [Shuswap] Nation of British Columbia. Born in Kamloops B.C. and grew up moving around the province from Vancouver Island to the Okanagan Valley. A member of the Ontario College Of Teachers since 2007, education has always been a challenge and goal since her youth. The City Adult Learning Center of Toronto [C.A.L.C.] provided a safe and encouraging learning environment for her to obtain a Ontario Secondary School Diploma [O.S.S.D.]. The next step was to follow a interest in English Literature, so an application was submitted to the University of Toronto, Pre-University Program. Once successfully completed entrance to University of Toronto with a Major in Native Studies and Minor in English Literature, led to a B. A., New College 2003. Financial struggles have always been evident for Sharon [as with many First Nations and students]. She was finally submitted to a program of her dreams but at the last minute denied funding. She then applied to different organizations and worked to save for her education. She was admitted to Queen’s University, Aboriginal Teachers Education Program [A.T.E.P.] 2005. She was fortunate to receive a full scholarship from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation [N.A.A.F.]. She then went on to complete her degree and graduated with honors, from Queens University, class of 2006, B.Ed.. Sharon is a Traditional Dancer who has received her teachings and made her own regalia. Sharon has also learned how to sing Traditional Songs and am in the process of learning how to hand-drum. She has taken such diverse courses ranging from Native North American Literature, Aboriginal Theater to The Indian Act, Secwepemc [Shuswap] Language Introduction course [credit transferred from Simon Fraser University campus @ Kamloops B.C.]. Sharon has taught a workshop at University of Toronto, First Nations House: Dream catcher Workshop, Feb. 2008. She has spoken at Inglenook Alternative Secondary School, as a guest on Native Issues and education. She is presently apprenticing to make masks out of paper mache so that she can use these masks for further Traditional teachings: Storytelling, Oral Tradition . Sharon is absorbed in First Nations crafts, Quill work is of great interest, Beadwork, Dream catchers, Medicine Wheels, Drums and First Nations Drumming and Singing has always meant so much to her. When she is able to teach, dance, sing, bead, write, create , she is doing what is is meant to do in this life: keep Secwepemc [Shuswap] Traditions alive, sharing this knowledge with other Native youth so that they can have the opportunity to learn the unique beauty that First Nations Culture has to offer.

WADE SMOKE is a member of the Ojibway First Nation, he is a member of Alderville [Rice Lake], Ontario. Wade lives and resides in Toronto, Ontario. He is a Champion Grass Dancer and has traveled throughout the world to share his traditional Grass Dance teachings, drum teachings and storytelling. Wade has danced in such remote locations as Columbia-Bogota, Northern Quebec, Chicago and Kelowna, British Columbia. Wade Smoke has performed for the Visiting Schools Program for a year. Wade is a Champion Dancer in his category and has placed in Grass Dance at various Pow-wows such as: Saugeen………Wade Smoke has also performed for various Native organizations for a number of years: Dodem Konosha, Scotia Bank, Native Canadian Center of Toronto [Visiting Schools Program: Assistant Co-ordinator & Grass Dancer, Traditional Dancer], University of Toronto, First Nations House, Native Students Association, City of Toronto [Open Doors Toronto, Sacred Spaces as a Traditional Storyteller], Council Fire Native Cultural Center, Anishnawbe Health Street Patrol, Native Mens Residence, Neekanaan Day Care, The Meeting Place, Native Child & Family Services of Toronto . Wade has also been a Head Dancer for various events and Pow-wows throughout Ontario: Native Canadian Center, New Years Eve Pow Wow 2001, Algonquin’s of Golden Lake Pow-wow 2000, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto @ Dufferin Grove Park 2003. Wade Smoke has also taught drum teachings, rattle making and workshops at Native Mens Residence. Wade was responsible for making a big drum at the Native Canadian Center, he learned these teachings from his family. Wade’s older brother is Bruce Smoke lead singer/founder for the Smoke Trail Singers [formerly known as: Rice Lake Singers]. Wade has been a volunteer Fire Keeper at various Traditional Ceremonies and Pow-wows. Wade is a gifted artist and he has assisted in workshops at University of Toronto, First Nations House, Dream Catcher Workshop. He was an invited Grass Dancer for “Aboriginal Awareness week-2008″. The Native Students Association has asked him to preform at their socials twice. Wade was also a volunteer as “1st Skinny Santa @ the Annual Children’s Christmas Party, 2002. This was put on by the Native Students Association, University of Toronto.

*****

25th Anniversary – SURVEY!

The Centre is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Yes, 25 years of resistance! The achievements of The Centre could not have been possible without the combined effort of us all. This is why we want to hear about your visions on how you want to celebrate 25 years of resistance. A survey will be given out at The Centre during the Dream Catcher workshop and it will also be posted on our website on November 10th. To complete the survey online visit our website on November 10th at:
http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/

Come be part of this celebration!