What does it mean to be an ally to Indigenous peoples?

(12+)
with Clarence Cachagee + Scott Morton Ninomiya

Join us for a transformative circle conversation delving into opportunities to be an ally to Indigenous peoples. Along with Scott, Clarence will lead us through key steps towards building meaningful partnerships that undermine oppressive, colonial systems. If you are exploring ways to be a more effective ally, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable insights and gain new perspectives. Please come prepared to listen, share, and experience wisdom together!

about the facilitators

Clarence, founder of Crow Shield Lodge, is a helper, visionary and author who is known for investing his whole self into his community. Clarence originates from Chapleau Cree First Nation and calls Cambridge his home. Scott is the Coordinator of Mennonite Central Committee Ontario’s Indigenous Neighbours program. He will share his perspective as a settler working to earn the title ‘ally’ in his home community on the Grand River Watershed and with partners across Ontario.

the title of the workshop - what does it mean to be an ally to indigenous peoples - in a rainbow design with a photo of one of the facilitators in the background

Ultimate Frisbee

with Hugh Brewster + Jubilene Brewster-Wild

Back by popular demand! No experience necessary – you will learn how Ultimate works and together we will play this game where mutual respect is valued and demonstrated.

about the facilitators

Hugh chases flying plastic with his friends as often as he can. As a co-founder of the non-profit ReachUp (currently on hiatus) he has facilitated ultimate workshops in a variety of Indigenous communities across Ontario. Jubilene is a Grade 12 student at Rosedale School of the Arts in Toronto. Running down frisbee hucks gives her great joy.

the title of the activity/workshop - Ultimate Frisbee - in a rainbow design over top of images of the two facilitators

Queering Spirituality

(12+)
with Mäki Ashe Van Steenwyk

Ashe will explore what it means to “queer” spirituality. To “queer” something is to re-examine, deconstruct, or subvert it though a queer lens. It means to pay attention to our deepest longings and listen to the wisdom of our bodies as we join the Spirit in the Great Work of Liberation. This work involves unearthing the toxic myths and ideas that weave through our own consciousness as well as challenging the way these myths and ideas take concrete expression in the world around us. This session, which will benefit cishet folks as well as queer folks, will include a presentation, as well as discussion and contemplative practice.

about the facilitator

Ashe (she/they) is the Director of the Center for Prophetic Imagination in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a spiritual director, activist, author, and teacher whose work focuses on the intersection of spirituality and radical action. Ashe is the author of A Wolf at the Gate, unKingdom, and That Holy Anarchist, as well as a contributor to a number of edited tomes and publications. Ashe earned an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary, studied Spiritual Direction at the University of St. Catherine’s graduate school, and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation at United Theological Seminary.

the title of the workshop - queering spirituality - in a rainbow design with the photograph of the facilitator in the background

Like a Tree Planted By Streams of Water: contemplative prayer in the forest

with Leanne Wild

This session will use the practice of silent attentiveness to/in the woods as well as practices and texts from various ancient forms of christian contemplative prayer to provide an opportunity for prayer (possibly unlike anything you’ve called prayer before!) in and among the community of the forest: our fellow created beings. It could be called ‘lectio natura’ (something like ‘lectio divina’, an ancient method of prayer through silent attentiveness to specific words of scripture): we will ‘read’ from the book of creation. As we slowly wander a path through the woods we will alternately listen (to short readings; questions or prompts), perceive, meditate, share observations, walk, stand and sit.

about the facilitator

Leanne has been a community development worker, trainer of camp leaders, writer, high school drama teacher, grief support facilitator, and theology student, and has been a lover of both the woods and Jesus since she can remember. Her recent experience of homeschooling led to new ways of seeing and being in the woods; and her experience of a Theology course in Contemplative Prayer led to new ways of knowing and understanding prayer. Together, these discoveries have opened a space for praying in a way that is instinctive, gentle and powerful, and she has been sharing it with others whenever she can.

the title of the workshop - like a tree planted by streams of water - in a rainbow style design with a photo of a woman with a flower in her hair in the background

Laudato Si’: What is it, why is it, and how might one use it?

with Sabrina M. Chiefari

Laudato Si’ was written to all of humanity from Pope Francis about care for our common home. In this session, participants are invited to take in an overview of the letter and the impact it is having around the world. We will explore questions around the document and how it can be used in care for Creation, decolonization, and climate justice.

about the facilitator

Sabrina (she/her), BES, is a Catholic Environmental Educator from Tkaronto/Toronto. As Creation Care Animator for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, she’s a long time proponent of Deep Ecology and Integral Ecology. Her work centers on community engagement, outdoor education and environmental well-being. She uses story-telling, community action and spiritual thought to help all people understand how to act wisely towards our water, air and earth.

the title of the workshop - laudato si' - in a rainbow design in front of a picture of the facilitator leaning against a tree

Drag as a Spiritual Practice: Theology and Performance Art

with Julian Munro / King Julez

What is Drag? This workshop will go over the history of the art form, and very key figures in the development and popularization of the art. Participants will learn the different forms of drag, queer performance, theatre, and music. Through this workshops, participants will be guided through different skills and themes that artists have needed through the ages, and how drag can now fit into religious spheres as an expression of theology.

about the facilitator

Julian/ King Julez (they/them) is the chair of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, a national non-profit organization that works for full inclusion and affirmation of 2S-LGBTQ+ folks in religious spaces and in all of society, and a board member for Student Christian Movement. After getting a BA in Diversity and Equity, King Julez is studying their Masters of Divinity with the goal of becoming a drag clown reverend with their own congregation to serve.

the title of the workshop - Drag as a spiritual practice - in a rainbow design with the painted face of the facilitator behind the title but still visible

Drag Story-Sharing Time and Face-Painting

with Julian Munro / King Julez

This session will be a sharing time of children’s stories, poems, and scriptures with optional face-painting! King Julez will be answering questions about what it means to be a drag clown and how that works in their work as a student and future ordinand in the United Church of Canada. There will be opportunities for participants to draw/colour up different reflections to each piece of reading (on paper and/or their face).

about the facilitator

Julian/ King Julez (they/them) is the chair of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, a national non-profit organization that works for full inclusion and affirmation of 2S-LGBTQ+ folks in religious spaces and in all of society, and a board member for Student Christian Movement. After getting a BA in Diversity and Equity, King Julez is studying their Masters of Divinity with the goal of becoming a drag clown reverend with their own congregation to serve.

the title of the workshop - Drag Story Sharing time and Face painting - in a rainbow style with the colourful face of the facilitator centered behind the title

Art for Everyone: Intro to Stencilling Street Art

(12+, but could include youngers if they come with a helpful 12+ person)

with Jasper Wicke + abi lyon wicke

Come learn about street art that inspires us and how you can add some to your neighbourhood in creative and beautiful ways. Art activism for your front yard – images and messages to spark everyday creativity and joy! We will look at examples then make our own stencils for reproducible make-anywhere art. Come prepared to get messy.

about the facilitator

Jasper began drawing as soon as they could hold a crayon and has rarely been without a drawing tool in hand in the ten years since that time. They particularly love street art in all forms and enjoy designing and making unique costumes that both express their creativity and make good use of our planet’s resources through thrifting, sharing and swapping. Jasper loves being active outdoors, hiking and camping (especially near water), discussing social justice and environmental issues, baking, practicing aerial silks and making art with other people. abi loves making things out of leftovers, remnants, recycling and other random found objects. Sharing this passion with others and creating art together brings her particular joy. abi has participated in artmaking activities for as long as she can remember and has been an instructor and facilitator of others’ creative pursuits in many contexts, from regular pottery and art classes to festival workshops and teaching her children at home. Working with a team to create art installations and experiences in her faith community is an integral part of inspiring and informing her own faith journey.

the title of the workshop - Art is For Everyone - on the backdrop of a stenciled penguin on concrete

Love Tenderly Olympics

(All ages)

with Tim O’Connor + Elle Crevits + Shannon Neufeldt

An annual classic at Camp Micah, the Love Tenderly Olympics come to Cahoots for the first time ever. Bring your competitive edge, but remember, this is a team event! All your skill, creativity, and cooperation will be required to complete each activity TOGETHER! People of all ages and abilities are welcome. The more diversity, the more creative the teams will be challenged to be! Can you build a human pyramid or get your whole team over the river of piranhas without “losing a limb”? Brought to you by Camp Micah staff and youthful camp alumni.

about the facilitators

Tim has been playing the Love Tenderly Olympics for 15+ years. As a recently retired high-school teacher – the kind that is everyone’s favourite teacher – he knows how to get people motivated…and make people laugh. He may say it with a straight face-but look out for the twist! Elle started in these Olympics at the tender age of 15. After several years as a competitor, she has now logged more years as a coach and judge. She says, “I am a whole-hearted, down-to-earth, and compassionate teacher at heart. I am a life-long learner that believes we can only do what we believe we can. In my spare time you can find me in the kitchen, whipping up the next batch of delicious, or around the dinner table using food as tool to build community and connection. Shannon is the relative newcomer to the Love Tenderly Olympics team with just 3 years of practice, but Shannon and her family are also experienced Cahoots participants. A professional social justice activist, Shannon is committed to building community and passing on a passion for justice. Years as a camp counsellor solidified her appreciation for this type of team building cooperative games.

Gardening is for everyone: permaculture 101 (All ages)

with Alicia Good

This is an introduction to the idea of permaculture gardening with an emphasis on simplicity and accessibility. We will discuss how to feed and care for the soil, whether that’s a small pot on your porch, or a big yard you don’t know what to do with. We’ll talk about choosing suitable plants and how to care for them. This session will be well suited for beginning gardeners as well as those with more experience.

about the facilitator

Alicia Good has a full time job, a teen, and a toddler. She’s also a person who deeply loves the land. She has been gardening since she was a small child and has developed many tricks over the years that she’s eager to pass on to interested learners. She enjoys growing with whatever she’s got, whether that’s a tiny worm composter under the sink, a pot of sunflowers on her balcony in Toronto, or the large garden in the countryside where she grew up. She believes gardening is for everyone.

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