Indigenous Resistance, Resilience, and Resurgence: The Role of Activism

Learning about Indigenous activism, resistance, resilience, and resurgence is critical for understanding what matters to Indigenous Peoples and how Canadians can participate in promoting truth, justice, and reconciliation. The act of “choosing to participate” is a vital step to Facing History & Ourselves’ sequence of learning and an integral part of studying the history and legacies of colonization and institutionalization in the residential and day school systems. Studying examples of Indigenous peoples’ activism or acts of resistance, while important, are only a starting point. This workshop, offered in partnership with the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and led by artist and educator Lorrie Gallant, will inspire and invite deeper understanding and engagement in activism and reconciliation.

In this full-day in-person workshop, you will:

• Learn how to structure your teaching to help students connect learning to their own lives
• Gain a deeper understanding of guiding principles that inform some Indigenous peoples’ participation in everyday acts and activism 
• Explore principles that can guide non-Indigenous peoples’ participation as allies
• Experience the storytelling, art, poetry, craft, text, ideas, and strategies for bringing Indigenous perspectives, voices, and presence into learning spaces 
• Take a guided tour of galleries at the AGH and explore pieces from the gallery’s archival collections
• Discover ways to weave experiential learning, the arts, and history into holistic teaching and learning that meets the needs of diverse learners
• Enjoy a delicious meal crafted by Six Nations of the Grand chef David Jacobs

We will look at some of the efforts Indigenous people have made to raise awareness through art and voice, expressing acts of resistance, resilience, and telling a story of who they are, where they’ve come from, but most importantly, where they are going!

This learning is intended for: Middle and secondary school history, humanities, arts (NAC), English (NBE) teachers, Indigenous student support, and curriculum coaches. The workshop will be capped at 50 participants. Participants enrolled in the online course, Rights, Resistance, and the History and Legacies of Schooling for Indigenous Children in Canada will receive priority registration.

Accessibility:

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is an accessible building. We will be taking a gallery tour that will invite moving around the gallery. To request ASL interpretation please email kristen_kim [at] facinghistory.org (kristen_kim[at]facinghistory[dot]org) by June 20.

Location & Address: Art Gallery of Hamilton
123 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4S8, Canada