In Our Tongues Reading And Art Series is the first in Ottawa specifically dedicated to showcasing, nurturing and advancing Black, Indigenous and racialized poets, writers, musicians and other artists, including those with different abilities, across the gender spectrum, and from both English and French-speaking communities.
In Our Tongues acknowledges that our operations and events are held on the ancestral, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe First Nation. We recognize that we are settlers and it is our role as settlers to honour the sacred land, be in solidarity with Indigenous communities here and globally, and to educate ourselves as part of reconciliation.
OUR STORY
In Our Tongues emerged when two friends, Shery Alexander Heinis, and Mailyne K. Briggs identified a gap in the literary and artistic landscape in the National Capital Region (NCR). Troubled by the lack of safe, nurturing, and welcoming spaces serving the particular needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPoC) artists, particularly poets, and writers, they decided to create a space that would welcome not only page, but spoken word poets, musicians and other artists to share their stories in their own words and voices, and grow to their full creative best.
Launched in October 2019, In Our Tongues aims to amplify the voices of historically under-represented artists, expand the knowledge of their stories, establish stronger community ties, build meaningful connections, and promote cross-cultural collaboration and understanding through various programs including events, professional development, and mentorship. We seek to enrich and complement the NCR’s literary and artistic environment, expand the region’s literary and artistic offerings, and reflect the diversity of Canadian writing and art. We provide a stage for the NCR’s BIPoC poets, writers, musicians, and other artists to share their work, as well as to hear from BIPoC literary and artistic voices from across Canada. We welcome audiences from all backgrounds.
EVENTS
In Our Tongues reading and performance events are typically scheduled for the second Tuesday of the event month beginning 7 - 9 pm. For the 2024-25 season starting November 2024, there will be four events for November, February 2025, May 2025 and June 2025.
VENUE
Our events are currently held both online via Youtube live-stream and in-person at the SAW Centre, 67 Nicholas St, Ottawa. Street parking is available. These events generally include a musical or artistic set, an open mic, and feature poets, storytellers and writers, among others.