Medicine wheel workshop & smudging ceremony
The REACH Association would like to invite you to a special event.
If you have an hour, join us to learn about the Medicine Wheel through an online event on March 22 at 2pm EST. With the Spring Equinox on March 20th, it’s an ideal time to explore the circle of life through an Indigenous lense.
As always, this event will be small and personal. We’ll start with a smudging ceremony and with Mi’kmaq artist Gallie’s lead, we’ll create a medicine wheel. Bring along your friends, music and cookies.
Event contributions will be split between honoraria for the artist and the purchase of books that advance reconciliation education for children.
Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
storytelling event
medicine wheel workshop & smudging ceremony
Date: March 22 Sunday, 2:00 pm EST, 3:30 pm NST
You can register to support us by clicking on the button below, or you can use the QR code.
Elder Margaret’s Storytelling and Wild Blackberry Muffin Baking Event
The REACH Association would like to invite you to a special event. Join us for a cozy afternoon of storytelling and wild blackberry muffin baking with Elder Margaret from Labrador. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bake alongside your family and friends while listening to tales about life in the beautiful Labrador of yesteryears.
Elder Margaret is not only a mother of four, but also a proud grandmother to six and a great-grandmother to two beautiful children. She returned to school in her early fifties to earn a diploma in Human Resource Management. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting and crocheting, and she’s also a resilient cancer survivor.
Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
storytelling event
Wild Blackberry Muffin Baking Event
You will need:
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp margarine
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup wild blackberries
Date: October 18 Saturday, 2:00 pm EST, 3:30 pm NST
You can register to support us by clicking on the button below, or you can use the QR code.
Join us to honour The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation with Chief Jasen Benwah and Dr. Natalia Tukhareli!
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite you to join us for a Bibliotherapy-based reading session on September 28 at 2pm EST.
Facilitated by Natalia Tukhareli, this 1-hour session will involve shared reading of writings by Indigenous authors (excerpts from non-fiction, fiction and poetry) followed by a group discussion.
Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Gratitude
Chief Jasen Benwah will open the event.
The topic of the session is “Gratitude,” and it will be addressed within a broader context of the Indigenous connection to the land and nature, which is central to the Indigenous worldview.
Date: September 28 at 2 PM EST
You can register to support us by clicking on the button below, or you can use the QR code.
Director of Library & Information Services
Dr. Natalia Tukhareli is the Director of Library & Information Services at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). Over the past 15 years, she has been actively involved in Bibliotherapy. Natalia has developed and implemented a number of bibliotherapy-based reading programs to promote well-being and resilience to diverse groups of people, including African children and women living with HIV/AIDS, marginalized populations in Toronto, the staff of a community hospital, and college students.
She published a book “Healing through books: The evolution and diversification of bibliotherapy” in 2014.
Join us for an afternoon of music and storytelling from Newfoundland and Labrador!
We’re excited to invite you to a special event hosted by Mi’kmaq artist Gallie Martina, Chief Jasen Benwah, and Randy Hopkins on March 30, Sunday at 1:30 PM EST.
Bring your friends and family to create a dreamcatcher with Mi’kmaq artist Gallie while enjoying live music from Labrador’s Randy Hopkins.
Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
The event will begin with a smudging ceremony led by Chief Jasen Benwah.
how to create a dreamcatcher
Materials you will need:
- Yarn
- Feathers
- Pony beads (one with a larger hole)
- Yogurt lid
- Scissors
- Something to wrap the yarn around like a small piece of cardboard
Date: March 30, Sunday at 1:30 PM EST
You can support us by signing up using the link or the QR code.
Chief Jasen Benwah, of Penwaaq L’nu’k, will kick off our cultural event with a smudging ceremony. His main focus is developing the local band and he is also an advocate for reconciliation and cultural harmony.He has served as Chief since 2004 and previously served three terms on the Qalipu First Nation Band Council, representing members of the Port au Port Ward. With a strong commitment to preserving Mi’kmaq language, culture, and heritage, Jasen organizes annual traditional Mawio’mi (pow-wow) celebrations and authored popular books preserving regional history and knowledge.
Randy Hopkins, a native of Seal Islands, Labrador, was raised living off the land & sea. He grew up listening to traditional Labrador music and is a self-taught musician who performs at numerous local festivals and events in southern Labrador. His music speaks of his love for the ‘Big Land’ of Labrador, his deep rooted connection to his culture and his gratitude for living simply. Playing acoustic guitar, Randy will be providing us the distinct pleasure of his melodic singing of A Land called Labrador, This is our Home & other locally written songs.
Mi’kmaq Artist and Craftsperson
Gallagher Martina (House) is a First Nations Indigenous Mi’kmaq artist and craftsperson from Stephenville, Newfoundland, currently living in Cape St. George. Her work, inspired by the island’s landscape and cultural heritage, includes intricate jewelry beading and the use of natural materials like feathers and animal fur. Gallagher blends traditional Indigenous artistry with modern sensibilities, Her pieces carry deep spiritual significance and reflect her identity, contributing to the conversation about Indigenous culture and the preservation of traditions through contemporary art.
Join Us for a Virtual Suncatcher Workshop!
We’re excited to invite you to a special workshop led by Mi’kmaq artist Gallie Martina on February 16 at 2:30 PM EST.
Did You Know?
- Suncatchers were originally created by Southwestern Native Americans.
- These beautiful crystal suncatchers often symbolize hope, renewal, and a deep connection to nature. They are also cherished gifts representing love, friendship, and good fortune.
This Canada-wide community event is a great opportunity to get together with friends and family while supporting The REACH Associations’ reconciliation initiative led by children through the friendships they build across the country.
Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
a workshop centred on friendship
Materials you will need:
- a handful of beads ( you can reuse beads from a broken necklace )
- fishing line / bead cord or thread and needle
- jute twine, string or yarn
- decorative elements you have like small shells, feather etc
- a clear crystal (this will catch the sun)
- a twig, a piece of driftwood or any piece of wood
Mi’kmaq Artist and Craftsperson
Gallagher Martina (House) a First Nations Indigenous Mi’kmaq Artist and Craftsperson born in Stephenville, Newfoundland is now currently living in Cape St. George, Newfoundland. Drawing inspiration from the rugged landscape and rich cultural heritage of the island Gallagher’s work spans multiple mediums, including intricate jewelry beading, feathers, animal fur, and antlers. Rooted in her deep cultural heritage, Gallagher’s art captures the essence of Newfoundland’s beauty and reflects the profound emotional connections between nature and her surroundings, tradition, and identity, creating unique pieces that honor both her indigenous roots and contemporary artistic expression.
Gallagher pursued her academic journey at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University and the Victoria College of Art, where she honed her skills and deepened her understanding of artistic practices. Her education, combined with her heritage, allows her to blend traditional Indigenous artistry with modern sensibilities, producing works that speak to both her community and a broader audience.
Throughout her career, Gallagher has become known for her intricate beadwork, which often incorporates natural materials like feathers and animal fur, elements that are symbolic in many Indigenous cultures. Her jewelry pieces are not only visual statements but also carry deep spiritual and cultural significance, representing the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. Her works have been showcased in various exhibitions, and she is recognized for her ability to weave storytelling, identity, and tradition into every piece she creates. Through her art, Gallagher Martina (House) continues to contribute to the ongoing conversation about Indigenous culture, history, and the importance of preserving traditions through contemporary means.
