Upcoming events
black History month event 2024
celebrate black history month with a night of Jazz and poetry!
In Our Tongues brings you a night of live Jazz performances by Antoine L Collins, and Poetry performances by Ottawa’s Sarah Kabamba and Yanaminah Thullah!
This is not a night to miss, whether in-person or online- we are excited to host you all!
Event Details:
When: February 13th, 2024
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM EST
Viewing options: Attend In-Person or Online
Cost: Free or Pay-What-You-Can
Registration is open now, please fill out the form at the end of this page!
Our Artists
Antoine L. Collins
Ottawa based jazz singer/songwriter and lawyer, Antoine L Collins grew up in the foster care system in the steel town of Gary, Indiana. His musical tastes were influenced by jazz and blues sounds of nearby Chicago. After his debut performance in a Canadian production of “RENT”, Antoine made a move to Israel, performing in productions as: Seaweed J. Stubbs in “Hairspray”, Audrey II in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Richie Walters in “A Chorus Line”, and Benny, again in “RENT”. While in Tel Aviv, he performed in the “Showstoppers” Cabaret and played Benny in a concert version of “RENT” at the renowned Habima Theatre.
Antoine’s debut LP, “Somewhere Along The Way”, was recorded in Jerusalem and released independently in 2015. In 2016, his title track video gained international attention, described by Queerty as “A Queer Twist On Love And Loss In This Gorgeous Jazz Video. “Building on this initial creative success, Phillip Victor Bova, founder of Ottawa’s legendary Bovasound Studio, produced and inventively arranged his second album “Nature Boy: The Music of Nat King Cole.” Released independently, it celebrates the legacy of Nat King Cole, a global jazz and popular song cultural icon.
Currently, Antoine's newest projects include “It’s Christmas and I’m In Love”, a full-length holiday album featuring original tracks and smooth jazz takes on old classics in the Antoine’s style. His most personal recording to date, “Dinner at Antoine’s”, will feature original jazz tracks with arrangements by the talented Matt R. Devost. This recording will showcase Antoine’s impressive ongoing personal and musical journey. Both projects are being recorded and engineered at Ottawa’s own Audio Valley Recording Studio.
For music, videos and more, please visit www.antoinelcollins.com . Please follow Antoine L Collins also through his Facebook Page, Twitter and Instagram.
——— En Français ———
Antoine L Collins, auteur-compositeur-interprète de jazz et avocat basé à Ottawa, a grandi dans le système de placement familial de la ville métallurgique de Gary, dans l'Indiana. Ses goûts musicaux sont influencés par le jazz et le blues de la ville voisine de Chicago. Après avoir fait ses débuts dans une production canadienne de "RENT", Antoine s'est installé en Israël, où il a joué dans des productions telles que : Seaweed J. Stubbs dans "Hairspray", Audrey II dans "Little Shop of Horrors", Richie Walters dans "A Chorus Line", et Benny, toujours dans "RENT". Pendant son séjour à Tel Aviv, il s'est produit dans le cabaret "Showstoppers" et a joué le rôle de Benny dans une version concert de "RENT" au célèbre théâtre Habima.
Le premier album d'Antoine, "Somewhere Along The Way", a été enregistré à Jérusalem et publié indépendamment en 2015. En 2016, la vidéo de sa chanson titre a attiré l'attention internationale, décrite par Queerty comme " A Queer Twist On Love And Loss In This Gorgeous Jazz Video " (Une tournure queer sur l'amour et la perte dans cette magnifique vidéo de jazz). " Fort de ce premier succès créatif, Phillip Victor Bova, fondateur du légendaire studio Bovasound d'Ottawa, a produit et arrangé avec inventivité son deuxième album "Nature Boy : The Music of Nat King Cole". Sorti indépendamment, cet album célèbre l'héritage de Nat King Cole, icône culturelle mondiale du jazz et de la chanson populaire.
Actuellement, les nouveaux projets d'Antoine comprennent "It's Christmas and I'm In Love", un album de vacances complet comprenant des titres originaux et des reprises de vieux classiques en smooth jazz dans le style d'Antoine. Son enregistrement le plus personnel à ce jour, "Dinner at Antoine's", comprendra des morceaux de jazz originaux avec des arrangements du talentueux Matt R. Devost. Cet enregistrement mettra en valeur l'impressionnant parcours personnel et musical d'Antoine. Les deux projets sont enregistrés et mis au point au studio d'enregistrement Audio Valley d'Ottawa.
Pour la musique, les vidéos et plus encore, veuillez visiter www.antoinelcollins.com. Vous pouvez également suivre Antoine L Collins sur sa page Facebook, Twitter et Instagram.
Sarah Kabamba
Sarah Kabamba’s writing has appeared in Room Magazine, PRISM International, The New Quarterly, HA&L Magazine, Canthius, In/Words Magazine and Press, Ottawa Water and The Vault. She was shortlisted for the 2017 CBC Poetry Prize, longlisted for the 2017 Journey Prize and featured in Quattro Book’s 2018 Best New Poets in Canada series. She was also one of the 2023 Journey Prize winners. She is of Congolese origin and currently lives in Ottawa.
——— En Français ———
Les écrits de Sarah Kabamba ont été publiés dans Room Magazine, PRISM International, The New Quarterly, HA&L Magazine, Canthius, In/Words Magazine and Press, Ottawa Water et The Vault. Elle a été présélectionnée pour le Prix de poésie de la CBC 2017, sélectionnée pour le Prix Journey 2017 et présentée dans la série 2018 Best New Poets in Canada de Quattro Book. Elle a également été l'une des lauréates du Prix Journey 2023. Elle est d'origine congolaise et vit actuellement à Ottawa.
Yanaminah Thullah
Yanaminah is a multidisciplinary creative who aims to amplify the liberation of marginalized peoples within arts and culture spaces. She’s a consultant, spoken word artist, and recently, had her curatorial debut at the OAG. Yanaminah grounds her art in storytelling in digital and physical spaces. She has upcoming exhibits in the coming months so please stay tuned! You can find her on Instagram @yanaminah
——— En Français ———
Yanaminah est une créatrice multidisciplinaire qui vise à amplifier la libération des peuples marginalisés dans les espaces artistiques et culturels. Elle est consultante, artiste de la parole et a récemment fait ses débuts de conservatrice au BVG. Yanaminah fonde son art sur la narration dans les espaces numériques et physiques. Elle a des expositions à venir dans les prochains mois, alors restez à l'écoute ! Vous pouvez la retrouver sur Instagram @yanaminah
Registration Form
Registered but haven’t received event details?
Link/URL to Event Access Details: https://mailchi.mp/fcdd55ef4474/blackhistorymonth2024-registrantdetails
^ Check out a copy of the event details email with a link for access.
Please Note: If you are looking to register at any point after 11:45 AM EST on Feb. 13, 2024- you are recommended to come register at the door. If looking for online viewing- register then look at the URL/link provided above.
Registration is free or Pay-What-You-Can by using the donation button above.
We also accept e-transfers to our email, inourtongues@gmail.com
Any amount helps, and thank you!
Celebrating National Indigenous History Month
Creative Writing Workshop with wanda john-kehewin
Let’s celebrate National Indigenous History Month and hear from Cree writer, Wanda- as she takes the virtual stage to share her stories and passion with us.
So get your pen and notebook, get cozy, and let’s write!
WORKSHOP DETAILS?
Date: June 17th, 2023
Time: 2 - 4 PM EST
Location: Online
Cost: Free or Pay-what-you-can!
How to attend?
Register using the submission form at the end of the page
Wanda John-kehewin
Wanda John-Kehewin is a Cree writer who came to Vancouver, BC, from the prairies on a Greyhound when she was nineteen and pregnant, carrying a bag of chips, thirty dollars, and a bit of hope. Wanda has been writing about the near decimation of Indigenous culture, language, and tradition as a means to process history and trauma that allows her to stand in her truth and to share that truth openly. Wanda has published poetry, children’s books, graphic novels, and a middle-grade reader with hopes of reaching others who are trying to make sense of the world around them. With many years of traveling (well mostly stumbling) the healing path, she brings personal experience of healing to share with others. Wanda is a mother of five children, two dogs, two cats, three tiger barb fish, and a hamster. You can find more about Wanda here.
Wanda John-Kehewin est une écrivaine crie qui est arrivée des Prairies à Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique, à bord d'un Greyhound, alors qu'elle avait dix-neuf ans et qu'elle était enceinte, avec un sac de chips, trente dollars et un peu d'espoir. Wanda écrit sur la quasi-décimation de la culture autochtone, de la culture, de la langue et de la tradition autochtones comme un moyen de traiter l'histoire et les traumatismes qui lui permettent d'assumer sa vérité et de la partager ouvertement. Wanda a publié de la poésie, des livres pour enfants, des romans raphiques et un livre pour les élèves de niveau intermédiaire, dans l'espoir de toucher d'autres personnes qui tentent de donner un sens au monde qui les entoure. Après de nombreuses années passées à voyager (ou plutôt à trébucher) sur le chemin de la guérison, elle apporte son expérience personnelle de la guérison à partager avec les autres. Wanda est mère de cinq enfants, de deux chiens, de deux chats, de trois poissons tigres et d'un hamster. Pour en savoir plus sur Wanda, cliquez ici.
Registration form
Register by filling out the form below and clicking the button, “REGISTER”!
This event is free or Pay-what-you-can, so if you’d like to donate please use the “DONATE” button below OR e-transfer inourtongues@gmail.com
Thanks and hope to see you at the event :)
Registered but haven’t received Zoom Link?
https://mailchi.mp/092264861108/nihm_zoomlink
Here it is for a limited time!
Let's celebrate Asian Heritage Month!
Celebrate asian heritage month this may
with Roshan James, AI AMOR, and DJ TRINIDADDY!
Join us for our next night of art, story-telling, and celebration; In Our Tongues is excited to be bringing such wonderful artists to our stage!
Date: May 10th, 2023
Time: 7-9:00 pm EST
Available both In-Person and Online!
In-Person Location: SAW Art Gallery, 67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9
Register Now!
The registration form can be found at the bottom of the page!
MEET OUR ARTISTS
ROSHAN JAMES (She/her/elle)
Roshan is a Tibetan-Indian multidisciplinary artist, poet, and musician, living as a settler in southwestern Ontario. As part of the South Asian diaspora, with a spiritual connection to nature, humanity, and realms of consciousness, Roshan researches, experiments, plays, and creates to connect everyday with timelessness: consciousness, mindfulness, non-attachment, unconditional love, hope, purpose, and healing. Entrenched in her work is anti-oppression advocacy and representation of marginalized, melanated voices to help dismantle colonial, capitalistic systems. Roshan studied at Queen's University and the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, and she holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from York University, summa cum laude. You'll find her on social media, most active on Instagram at @roshan_james.
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Roshan est une Artiste multidisciplinaire, poète et musicienne tibéto-indienne, elle vit en tant que colon dans le sud-ouest de l'Ontario. Faisant partie de la diaspora sud-asiatique et ayant un lien spirituel avec la nature, l'humanité et les domaines de la conscience, Roshan recherche, expérimente, joue et crée pour relier le quotidien à l'intemporel : la conscience, la pleine conscience, le non-attachement, l'amour inconditionnel, l'espoir, la raison d'être et la guérison. La défense de la lutte contre l'oppression et la représentation des voix marginalisées et mélanisées sont au cœur de son travail et contribuent à démanteler les systèmes coloniaux et capitalistes. Roshan a étudié à l'Université Queen's et au Centre d'études médiévales de l'Université de Toronto, et elle est titulaire d'un baccalauréat spécialisé en littérature anglaise de l'Université York, avec mention très bien. Vous la trouverez sur les médias sociaux, plus particulièrement sur Instagram à @roshan_james.
ai amor (tHEY/THEM/IEL)
Ai Amor is a Chinese-Dominican first gen queer trans drag performer here in what is known as Ottawa, Ontario. They are 27, new to the drag scene, and joined to bring light and more representation to a very white drag scene. They grew up proud of their heritage and that has never wavered. Given the importance of their heritage, they strive to incorporate it into their drag performances.
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Ai Amor est Chinois-Dominicain de première génération, queer, transgenres, artistes de drag ici dans ce qui est connu sous le nom d'Ottawa, Ontario. Iel ont 27 ans, sont nouveaux sur la scène de la drague et se sont joints pour apporter de la lumière et plus de représentation à une scène de drague très blanche. Iel ont grandi en étant fiers de leur héritage et cela ne s'est jamais démenti. Étant donné l'importance de leur patrimoine, iel s'efforcent de l'incorporer dans leurs spectacles de dragsters.
dj trinidaddy (HE/THEY/IL/IEL)
DJ TRINIDADDY is Indo-Trinidadian, Odawa-based, and Tkaronto-born DJ, musician, & overall multidimensional artist. As a queer & trans brown femme in the DJ & music community, they aim to make party & gathering spaces more accessible & safe(r) for QTBIPOC, and hope to inspire & create community through their sounds. From soca, chutney, & dancehall to afrobeat, Bollywood hits, your fave throwbacks, & sick club edits, “there's no way yuh cah free up & feel up yuhself when they're spinning!"
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DJ TRINIDADDY (il/iel)
DJ TRINIDADDY est DJ, musicien et artiste multidimensionnel indo-trinidadien, basé à Odawa et né à Tkaronto. En tant que femme brune queer et trans dans la communauté des DJ et de la musique, iel visent à rendre les fêtes et les espaces de rassemblement plus accessibles et plus sûrs pour les QTBIPOC, et espèrent inspirer et créer une communauté à travers leurs sons. De la soca, du chutney et du dancehall aux afrobeats, aux tubes bollywoodiens, à vos retours en arrière préférés et aux edits de club vraiment sympa, « il n'y a pas moyen de ne pas se libérer et de se sentir bien quand ils tournent ! »
rEGISTRATION fORM
Cost? This event is Pay-what-you-can though we will never turn away anyone if you cannot donate at this time! If you’d like to donate, please e-transfer us at inourtongues@gmail.com or click the “DONATE” button below.
Didn’t receive an Event Details email after registering?
If looking to view online, just click the link below for our YouTube Live Stream!
If in-person, all that’s left is for you to show up in person at
The SAW Art Gallery, 67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9
See you there!
Black History Month Ft….
OUR NEXT EVENT IS HERE! COme celebrate black history month this february
with asli mahdi, jessie simmons, joujou turenne, and mia weekes!
Join us for another night of art, story-telling, and celebration; In Our Tongues is excited to be bringing such wonderful artists to our stage!
Date: February 15, 2023
Time: 7-9:30 pm EST
Available both In-Person and Online!
In-Person Location: SAW Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Register Now!
The registration form can be found at the bottom of the page!
Registered and haven’t received an email yet on event details?
If In-person, all that is left is for you to show up to the event, your name is on the list!
If Online, the button below will direct you to the live stream on the day of the event!
meet our artists!
mia weekes
Mia Weekes is a 22-year-old dancer born and raised in the city of Ottawa. Mia began her dance career at the 3, studying Russian Ballet at her studio, Dance Educators. She explored various studio dance styles including, Jazz, tap, contemporary, and Hip-hop until she was eighteen when she completed her Elementary level Ballet exam in the Russian style. Mia then pursued Hip-Hop dance style with the dance teams, Future Shock Canada and PNL Dance Co., where she had the opportunity to travel to different parts of North America including Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles, and Arizona, to perform and compete. Mia continues to be part of PNL Dance Co. where she trains in various styles of urban hip-hop dance, and freestyling.
Follow Mia:
IG: @_miaweekes
joujou turenne / amie du vent
Joujou Turenne, Amie du Vent, is a multidisciplinary artist: spoken word poet, children's books author, cosmopolitan storyteller, dancer, actor, coach and lecturer. She composes sparkling stories nourished by Africa, her alma mater, by Quebec, where she vibrates and which she has chosen as her home, and by Haiti, her native land.
She left her mark on a generation of children, particularly through the high media coverage of the character Passe-Tourelle in the children's television series Passe-Partout. Télé-Québec won the Gémeau Multiculturalisme award for the series, which ran for 12 years. Her passion for social justice, human dignity, and inclusion for all resulted in her involvement in various activities related to respect for the status of women, school retention, and the promotion of human rights and children's rights.
In 2021, her story Amédée won the Jury Prize in the Battle of the Tales at the Festival interculturel du Conte de Montréal. Jou Jou has received numerous awards of excellence, including the Cator Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and the prestigious Anselme Chiasson Award in 2011.
Follow Jou Jou:
Website: joujouturenne.com
jessie simmons
Jessie Simmons (born Alesandria-Jessica Simon) is not new to the music scene. She has been performing since she was four years old. Since 2013, she has been making a major impact in Ottawa and Montreal’s music scene. She performed on stages like Afrofest and Cranium Festival and with major artists such as 5lan and Alan Cave. She is currently adding the finishing touches to her album. Her latest single plus jamais seul has made its way to France and her song, Wisdom won “song of the year” with RNB Canada. Jessie Simmons is a powerhouse and a beast on stage. She is definitely one to look out for.
Follow Jessie:
IG: @jessiesimmonsxo
Website: https://www.jessiesimmonsmusic.com/
Youtube: Jessie Simmons Music
asli mahdi
Asli Mahdi (she/her) is a Black Muslim poet and writer of Somali descent, born and raised in Canada. Her poems have been published in The Offing, Room Magazine and The Drinking Gourd. Outside of writing, she is an afrogoth, an enamel pin collector, dark lipstick enthusiast, Manic Panic fanatic, and 90s R&B and alt-rock herstorian. She is a student of Islam, self-care, shadows and solitude.
Follow Asli:
IG: @shadowspeaker_
Read about her on The Offing
Registration form
SEASON 4 LAUNCH
For our fourth season launch, we are so pleased to bring artists Maya Basudde, Natalie Hanna, Kar33m, and Tawahum Bige to the stage! This will be a hybrid event and so will be accessible both in-person AND online.
Date: November 8th, 2022
Time: 7-9:30 pm EST
In-Person Location: SAW Art Gallery, 67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9 (Registration Required)
Online: Via live stream (Registration required)
A computer, smart device or tablet with internet access and video/audio capabilities will be required for online viewing.
Note: The Registration Form can be found at the bottom of this page!
MEET OUR GUESTS:
MAYA BASUDDE (MayaSpoken)
MayaSpoken is an award-winning spoken word artist, singer-songwriter, educator, author, activist, speaker, and single mother. Her voice has graced platforms such as TEDx, WE Day, Historica Canada, CBC Arts: Poetic License and more. Maya is the founder of Tell ‘Em Girl Women’s Spoken Word Showcase and Loud Black Girls, both platforms giving women the space to be unapologetically themselves. She is the author of the poetry novel Warriors in Broad Daylight. Among her many efforts to provide opportunities and supports to her community, she is also the co-founder of the Warrior Micro-grant series providing financial boosts to Ottawa artists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MayaSpoken est une artiste primée, auteur-compositeur-interprète, éducatrice, auteure, militante, conférencière et mère célibataire. Sa voix est apparue sur des plateformes telles que TEDx, WE Day, Historica Canada, CBC Arts : Poetic License et plus encore. Maya est la fondatrice de Tell 'Em Girl Women's Spoken Word Showcase et de Loud Black Girls, deux plateformes qui donnent aux femmes l'espace nécessaire pour être elles-mêmes sans complexe. Elle est l'auteure du roman de poésie Warriors in Broad Daylight. Parmi les nombreux efforts qu'elle déploie pour offrir des opportunités et un soutien à sa communauté, elle est également cofondatrice de la série de micro-subventions Warrior, qui offre un coup de pouce financier aux artistes d'Ottawa en réponse à la pandémie de COVID-19.
Follow/Suivez Maya
Website: mayaspoken.live
Twitter/Instagram: @mayaspoken
@_tellemgirl
@loudblckgirls
NATALIE HANNA
Natalie (she/her) is an Ottawa-born, queer, disabled, lawyer of Middle Eastern descent, working with low-income populations. She has authored thirteen chapbooks, including multiple titles with above/ground press, infinite redress (Baseline Press, 2020), and the collaborative chapbook machine dreams with Liam Burke (Collusion Books, 2021). She received an Honourable Mention for Arc's 2019 Diana Brebner Prize. Her first full-length poetry collection, lisan al’asfour, is forthcoming with ARP Books in November 2022.
Natalie (elle/il) est une avocate d'origine moyen-orientale, née à Ottawa, queer, handicapée, qui travaille avec des populations à faible revenu. Elle est l'auteur de treize chapbooks, dont plusieurs titres chez above/ground press, infinite redress (Baseline Press, 2020), et le chapbook collaboratif machine dreams avec Liam Burke (Collusion Books, 2021). Elle a reçu une mention honorable pour le prix Diana Brebner 2019 de l'Arc. Son premier recueil de poésie complet, lisan al'asfour, sera publié par ARP Books en novembre 2022.
Follow/Suivez Natalie
Website: https://arpbooks.org/product/lisan-alasfour/
Twitter @battleaxenat
Instagram: battleaxe_press.
KAR33M
KAR33M is an Afrosoul artist who creates narrative-style music to provide a unique perspective. He recalls his first attraction towards music at a young age when he listened to talented artists and lyricists creating multifaceted music across genres like Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, R&B and Soul. KAR33M would then go on to write his first Neo-soul EP titled WHOAMI? An EP about Black Identity, love, and existentialism. He is set to release his second cumulative project titled, Ala — an Afro-soul LP offering a fictional perspective of an African in the diaspora as they awake into a constructed reality filled with social injustices. Throughout his career, KAR33M’s music has connected with audiences from various countries and has earned him multiple awards and media recognition. Today, he continues to collaborate with talented artists who create music with narrative dynamism and philosophical depth. “There is room for all types of music, with my music I want to reach into the depths of humanity and reflect astutely on what I see around me.” - KAR33M
KAR33M est un artiste afrosoul qui crée une musique de style narratif pour offrir une perspective unique. Il se souvient de son premier attrait pour la musique à un jeune âge, lorsqu'il écoutait des artistes et des paroliers talentueux et des paroliers qui créaient de la musique à multiples facettes dans des genres comme l'afrobeat, le hip-hop, le R&B et la soul. KAR33M a ensuite écrit son premier EP néo-soul intitulé WHOAMI ?, un EP sur l'identité noire identité noire, l'amour et l'existentialisme. Il s'apprête à sortir son deuxième projet cumulatif intitulé Ala, un LP afro-soul offrant une perspective fictive d'un Africain de la diaspora qui se réveille dans une réalité construite remplie d'injustices sociales. Tout au long de sa carrière, la musique de KAR33M a touché des publics de divers pays et lui a valu de multiples récompenses et la reconnaissance médiatique. Aujourd'hui, il continue de collaborer avec des artistes talentueux qui créent une musique avec un dynamisme narratif et une profondeur philosophique. "Il y a de la place pour tous les types de musique, avec ma musique je veux atteindre les profondeurs de l'humanité et réfléchir astucieusement à ce que je vois autour de moi." - KAR33M
Follow/Suivez KAR33M
Website: www.kar33m.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kar33mmusic1/
Instagram/Twitter: @kar33mmusic
Apple Music: music.apple.com/ca/artist/kar33m/1434253478
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/user-448082533
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/7320Yw3QnbbDBjOK09tRkP?si=Sdlo3kOHSy6oCoM-CVigVw&dl_branch=1&nd=1
Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCzG12SKZ9xUGuYrBxuDLgjw
Tidal: tidal.com/browse/artist/10267714
TAWAHUM BIGE
Tawahum is a Łutselkʼe Dene, Plains Cree poet and spoken word artist from unceded Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh Territory (Vancouver). With a Scorpio-moon guiding their poetry and music, they tell their soul-rending truth with immensity and grace. Tawahum has a BA in Creative Writing from KPU and they have performed at countless festivals with poems featured in numerous publications. Their song, Connect2Spirit, charted #1 on Indigenous Music Countdown in June 2022. Check out Tawahum’s debut collection of poetry, Cut to Fortress published by Nightwood Editions with more to come. Find them online @Tawahum on streaming platforms, Instagram, Twitter, and more.
Tawahum est poète Łutselkʼe Dene, Plains Cree et artiste de la parole du territoire non cédé de Musqueam, Squamish et Tsleil-Waututh (Vancouver). Avec une lune en Scorpion guidant leur poésie et leur musique, ils/elles racontent leur vérité déchirante avec immensité et grâce. Tawahum est titulaire d'un baccalauréat en écriture créative de KPU et s'est produit dans d'innombrables festivals. Ses poèmes ont été publiés dans de nombreuses publications. Leur chanson, Connect2Spirit, s'est classée au premier rang de la liste Indigenous Music Countdown en juin 2022. Découvrez le premier recueil de poésie de Tawahum, Cut to Fortress, publié par Nightwood Editions, et d'autres à venir. Retrouvez-les en ligne @Tawahum sur les plateformes de streaming, Instagram, Twitter et plus encore.
Follow/Suivez Tawahum
Instagram/Twitter: @Tawahum
To reserve a spot at this gathering, please register by filling out the following form:
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National Indigenous History Month: Writing with GABE A’TUGWEWINU CALDERÓN
For National Indigenous History Month, we are so pleased to partner with GABE A’TUGWEWINU CALDERÓN for our writing workshop!
GABE A’TUGWEWINU CALDERÓN
Gabe A’tugwewinu Calderón (they/them, kiin/wiin) is
nij-manidowag/îhkwew/ayakwew/puoin (two spirit/genderfluid/transgender), queer and Mi'kmaq/L’nu, Algonquin/Omamiwinini, Scottish and French-Canadian thriving with disAbilities and neurodivergence. They currently live in Treaty 6 territory's Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) as an author, poet, mixed media artist, activist, and educator. Gabe has received several literary and poetry awards, including a Lambda Literary Award 2021, an Indigenous Arts and Stories from the Governor General’s Awards in 2019, and placed second at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word 2019. Gabe is most notably known as the author of: Andwànikàdjigan in the anthology: Love After the End published by Arsenal Pulp Press and the poetry chapbook: Noojimo’ nishki’ biijina published by Moon Jelly House. They are the recipient of the 2021 Stonewall Awards: Activist of the Year. They worked as a consultant and nurtured excellent relationships with Benevity, Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH), Telefilm Canada, cSPACE, Fierté Canada Pride, the Enchanté Network, the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society and Pride at Work Canada. Gabe single handedly launched their organization, Mokinan Consulting, with over 12 years of workshop education experience and consulting, which strives to empower, decolonize, and educate.
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Gabe A'tugwewinu Calderón (ils/elles, kiin/wiin) est
nij-manidowag/îhkwew/ayakwew/puoin (aux deux esprits/identité de genre changeante/transgenre), queer et Mi'kmaq/L'nu, Algonquin/Omamiwinini, Canadien/ne écossais/e et français/e prospérant avec des disAbilités et une neurodivergence. Ils/elles vivent actuellement dans le territoire du Traité 6 d'Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) en tant qu'auteur/e, poète, artiste des médias mixtes, activiste et éducateur/rice. Gabe a reçu plusieurs prix littéraires et de poésie, notamment un Lambda Literary Award 2021, arts et contes autochtones des Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général en 2019, et s'est classé/e deuxième au Canadian Festival of Spoken Word 2019. Gabe est plus particulièrement connu/e comme l'auteur/e de : Andwànikàdjigan dans l'anthologie : Love After the End publiée par Arsenal Pulp Press et livre de poésie : Noojimo' nishki' biijina publié par Moon Jelly House. Ils/elles sont lauréats/es du prix Stonewall 2021 : Activiste de l'année. Ils/elles ont travaillé comme consultants/es et entretenus/es d'excellentes relations avec Benevity, l’Association professionnelle canadienne pour la santé transgenre (CPATH), Téléfilm Canada, cSPACE, Fierté Canada Pride, le Réseau Enchanté, le Centre Canadien de la diversité des genres et de la sexualité, la Edmonton 2 Spirit Society et Fierté au travail Canada. Gabe a lancé seul/e une organisation, Mokinan Consulting, avec plus de 12 ans d'expérience dans l'éducation en atelier et la consultation, qui s'efforce d'autonomiser, de décoloniser et d'éduquer.
To reserve a spot in this workshop, please:
1) Register at no cost. This workshop is for everyone!
Once you register, if you’d like to make a donation to support our work and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour artists, please do so through this donation portal.
or send as an e-transfer: inourtongues@gmail.com
Asian Heritage Month Ft. Lien Chao, Audrey Saparno, Namrata Tilokani And Palak Dhiman.
For Asian Heritage Month, we are pleased to feature Lien Chao, Audrey Saparno, Namrata Tilokani And Palak Dhiman.
Date: May 10, 2022
Time: 7-9:30pm EST
Location: Online and in-person, Saw Gallery 67 rue Nicholas Street, Ottawa
Admission: FREE or Pay What You Can (PWYC)
Please join us for our very first hybrid in-person and via livestream gathering as we mark Asian Heritage Month! We’re thrilled to be hosting our talented and accomplished artists LIEN CHAO, AUDREY SAPARNO, NAMRATA TILOKANI and PALAK DHIMAN.
To create a safe and comfortable environment for all, everyone will be required to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 protocols and safety measures in place.
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Rejoignez-nous pour notre prochain événement
Date : 10 mai 2022
Heure : de 19 h à 21 h 30 HNE
Lieu : En ligne et en personne, Galerie Saw 67 rue Nicholas, Ottawa
Entrée : GRATUIT ou Payez ce que vous pouvez
Rejoignez-nous pour notre tout premier rassemblement hybride en personne et par livestream à l'occasion du Mois du patrimoine asiatique ! Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir nos artistes talentueux et accomplis LIEN CHAO, AUDREY SAPARNO, NAMRATA TILOKANI et PALAK DHIMAN.
Afin de créer un environnement sécuritaire et confortable pour toutes et tous, chacun devra porter un masque et suivre les protocoles et les mesures de sécurité en vigueur à COVID-19.
Our Guest Performers
Lien Chao
Lien Chao came to Canada in 1984 to pursue her graduate studies. She is the author of Beyond Silence: Chinese Canadian Literature in English (1997), winner of the Gabrielle Roy Prize for Canadian Criticism; Tiger Girl: Hu Nü (2001), a creative memoir about growing up in Mao’s China; The Chinese Knot and other Stories (2008); and three collections of bilingual poetry, Maples and the Stream (1999), More Than Skin Deep (2004), and Salt in My Life (2020).
In her latest collection of poetry, Lien covers a wider terrain of styles and forms including, reflective travelogues, lyrics, and a multimedia poetic stage performance. Sound and vision blend across the collection with reflective meditations, connecting her physical and emotional journeys as she strives for inner peace. Salt in My Life is a spiritual quest carried out through the creation of poetry.
As an inter-art artist, Lien collaborates with artists from different disciplines, including multi-award-winning composer Vincent Ho. Their latest collaboration, Rejuvenation: A Taoist Journey, was commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and premièred at the Roy Thomson Hall on February 4, 2017. For the annual Asian Heritage Month Festival in Toronto, Lien works with visual artists in exhibitions, art workshops, and live-streaming virtual presentations combining paintings with poetry.
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Lien Chao est venue au Canada en 1984 pour poursuivre ses études supérieures. Elle est l'auteur de Beyond Silence : Chinese Canadian Literature in English (1997), lauréat du prix Gabrielle Roy pour la critique canadienne ; Tiger Girl : Hu Nü (2001), un mémoire créatif sur l'enfance dans la Chine de Mao ; The Chinese Knot and other Stories (2008) ; et trois recueils de poésie bilingue, Maples and the Stream (1999), More Than Skin Deep (2004) et Salt in My Life (2020).
Dans son dernier recueil de poèmes, Lien couvre un plus large éventail de styles et de formes, notamment, des carnets de voyage réflexifs, des paroles de chansons et une performance scénique poétique multimédia. Le son et la vision se mélangent à travers le recueil avec des méditations réfléchies, reliant ses voyages physiques et émotionnels alors qu'elle s'efforce de trouver la paix intérieure. Salt in My Life est une quête spirituelle menée à travers la création de la poésie.
En tant qu'artiste inter-arts, Lien collabore avec des artistes de différentes disciplines. Parmi eux, le compositeur Vincent Ho, compositeur primé à plusieurs reprises. Leur dernière collaboration, Rejuvenation : A Taoist Journey, a été commandée par l'Orchestre symphonique de Toronto et a été présentée en première au Roy Thomson Hall le 4 février 2017. Pour le festival annuel du mois du patrimoine asiatique à Toronto, Lien travaille avec des artistes visuels dans le cadre d'expositions, d'ateliers artistiques et de présentations virtuelles en direct qui combinent peintures et poésie.
Connect:
Website: library.ryerson.ca/asianheritage/authors/chao/
Website: mawenzihouse.com/lien-chaos-salt-in-my-life-reading/
Audrey Saparno
Audrey Saparno is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Ottawa. Her warm and powerful vocals accompanied by her acoustic guitar weave a soulful sound to her folk-style songs. Her lyrics vary from stories of women empowerment to spiritual love, to finding hope through life’s challenges. Her musical influences include Dawud Wharnsby, Lynn Miles, and Joni Mitchell. Her voice has been compared to that of Jane Siberry and Sarah McLachlan.
Songwriting allows Audrey to share her stories from a Canadian Muslim woman’s perspective. She has performed on various Ottawa stages, including Westfest, CityFolk’s Marvest, Inspirational Village for Canada150, Ottawa Grass Roots Festival, JUNOfest and OntarioScene of the NAC. She has also opened for international musicians, including the Firdaus Ensemble, a folk/spiritual band from Andalusia, Spain and for Baraka Blue, a spoken word artist out of Seattle USA.
She is currently working on her next full-length album, which follows her 2016 debut EP, Beauty Inside.
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Audrey est une auteure-compositrice-interprète née et élevée à Ottawa. Sa voix chaude et puissante, accompagnée de sa guitare acoustique, donne un son soul à ses chansons de style folk. Ses paroles varient des histoires d'autonomisation des femmes à l'amour spirituel, en passant par la recherche d'espoir à travers les défis de la vie. Ses influences musicales incluent Dawud Wharnsby, Lynn Miles et Joni Mitchell. Sa voix a été comparée à celle de Jane Siberry et Sarah McLachlan.
L'écriture de chansons permet à Audrey de partager ses histoires du point de vue d'une femme musulmane canadienne. Elle s'est présentée sur diverses scènes d'Ottawa, dont Westfest, CityFolk's Marvest, Inspirational Village pour Canada150, Ottawa Grass Roots Festival, JUNOfest et OntarioScene du CNA. Elle a également ouvert pour des musiciens internationaux, notamment le Firdaus Ensemble, un groupe folklorique/spirituel d'Andalousie, en Espagne, et pour Baraka Blue, un artiste de spoken word de Seattle, aux États-Unis.
Elle travaille actuellement sur son prochain album complet, qui fait suite à son premier EP de 2016, Beauty Inside.
Connect:
Youtube: A Saparno
Instagram: audreysaparno
Facebook: AudreySaparnosongs
Namrata Tilokani
Namrata Tilokani (they/she) is a South Asian spoken word artist and poet currently residing on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory. Born and raised on Treaty 23 territory, their poems explore ancestry, loss, grief, queerness, joy, and of course, love. Namrata was a finalist in the June 2018 Kitchener-Waterloo Poetry Slam Finals and went on to compete as part of the KW Slam Team at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. She has shared stages at the Guelph Poetry Slam and the Ontario International Poetry Slam.
Her latest work includes exploring the Sindhi diaspora and the effects of migration on her people, as well as recovering stories that have been lost. Namrata has recently graduated with their Masters in Social Work at Carleton University and has spent the last year reimaging what community based mental health care looks like. When they’re not writing poems, you can find them in the community, enjoying long bike rides, and talking about the woes of Mercury retrograde.
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Namrata Tilokani (ils/elles) est une artiste de la parole et une poétesse sud-asiatique qui réside actuellement sur le territoire non cédé et non remis des Algonquins Anishinaabeg. Née et élevée sur le territoire du Traité 23 leurs poèmes explorent l'ascendance, la perte, le chagrin, identité sexuelle, la joie et, bien sûr, l'amour. Namrata a été finaliste des finales du Kitchener-Waterloo Poetry Slam en juin 2018 et a poursuivi la compétition au sein de l'équipe de slam de KW au Festival canadien de la littérature orale. Elle a partagé les scènes du Guelph Poetry Slam et le Ontario International Poetry Slam.
Ses derniers travaux comprennent l'exploration de la diaspora sindhi et des effets de la migration sur son peuple, ainsi que la récupération d'histoires qui ont été perdues. Namrata a récemment obtenu sa maîtrise en travail social à l'Université Carleton et a passé l'année dernière à réimaginer ce que sont les soins communautaires en matière de santé mentale. Lorsqu'elle n’est pas en train d'écrire des poèmes, vous pouvez les trouver dans la communauté, profitant de longues promenades à vélo, et à parler des malheurs de la rétrogradation de Mercure.
Connect:
Twitter: ntilokani
Instagram: namsthepoet
Palak Dhiman
Palak Dhiman is an Ottawa-based Kathak dance artist. She was born in Kenya and raised in Canada from the age of two by her parents of Punjabi descent. She began learning Kathak at the age of six from Shobha Kauser at Pracheen Kalakendra in India. She continued her formal training in Winnipeg at Jhankaar School of Dance under Usha Sharma. Palak continues to receive advanced training in performance and choreography from her guru. Engaging with dance academically, in 2013 Palak completed her MA in Sociology exploring the role that Indian classical dance plays in identity formation for second generation Canadians of South Asian origin(s). Palak has performed extensively in community events since the age of seven. In 2018 she was a panelist for Sampradaya Dance Creations’ Momentum Series and performed in the Emerging Artists’ showcase. She has performed for festivals such as Folklorama (Winnipeg), Festival of India (Thunder Bay), the Great India Festival (Ottawa), and in the 2021 performed in the Kabir Centre’s NexGen Multi-Arts festival in Montreal.
Palak has also been invited to perform at the residence of the High Commission of India in Ottawa. In addition to festivals, Palak has also been a featured performer in several full-length stage productions with Manohar Performing Arts in Winnipeg (2006 - 2019) and Upasana in Ottawa (2016 - 2019) and debuted as a co-choreographer in the Manohar production, The Eagle and The Lotus (2019). In 2021, she released her first short dance film ‘Kathaka: Storyteller,” which was presented by the NAC online as part of the Capsule Project. She is a co-founder of Manohar East Collective which released its first city of Ottawa grant-funded project Visual Translation online in 2021. As of 2022 Palak has begun teaching Kathak.
Through dance, her goal is to continue to engage creatively with movement as a medium to translate embodied experiences to audiences, and contribute to promote more positive dialogue and change in Canadian society, and more broadly.
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Palak Dhiman est une artiste de la danse Kathak basée à Ottawa. Elle est née au Kenya et a été élevée au Canada dès l'âge de deux ans par ses parents d'origine Punjabi. Elle a commencé à apprendre le Kathak à l'âge de six ans avec Shobha Kauser à Pracheen Kalakendra en Inde. Elle a poursuivi sa formation formelle à Winnipeg à la Jhankaar School of Dance sous la direction d'Usha Sharma. Palak continue de recevoir formation avancée en performance et en chorégraphie auprès de son gourou. S'engager dans la danse, Palak a obtenu en 2013 une maîtrise en sociologie dans laquelle elle explore le rôle que joue la danse classique indienne dans la formation de l'identité des Canadiens de deuxième génération d'origine sud-asiatique. Depuis l'âge de sept ans, Palak s'est produite à de nombreuses reprises lors d'événements communautaires. En 2018, elle a été panéliste pour la série Momentum de Sampradaya Dance Creations et s'est produite dans la présentation des artistes émergents. Elle s'est produite dans le cadre de festivals tels que Folklorama (Winnipeg), Festival of India (Thunder Bay), le Great India Festival (Ottawa) et, en 2021, elle s'est produite dans le cadre du programme NexG du Kabir Centre. le festival NexGen Multi-Arts du Centre Kabir à Montréal.
Palak a également été invitée à se produire à la résidence du haut-commissariat de l'Inde à Ottawa. En plus des festivals, Palak a également participé à plusieurs productions scéniques complètes avec Manohar Performing Arts à Winnipeg (2006 - 2019) et Upasana à Ottawa (2016 - 2019) et a fait ses débuts en tant que co-chorégraphe dans la production de Manohar, The Eagle and The Lotus (2019). En 2021, elle a lancé son premier court métrage de danse, " Kathaka : Storyteller", qui a été présenté par le CNA en ligne dans le cadre du projet Capsule.
Elle est cofondatrice du collectif Manohar East, qui a mis en ligne en 2021 son premier projet financé par la ville d'Ottawa, Visual Translation. À partir de 2022, Palak a commencé à enseigner le kathak.
Par le biais de la danse, son objectif est de continuer à s'engager de manière créative avec le mouvement comme moyen de traduire les expériences corporelles au public et de contribuer à promouvoir un dialogue et un changement plus positifs dans la société canadienne et plus largement.
Connect:
Youtube: Palak Dhiman
Instagram: dhimpalak
To join us, please Register at no cost. This event is for everyone!
One registration gives you access to the online viewing link AND an entry to our In-Person event!
Once you register, if you’d like to make a donation via credit card to support our work and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour artists, please do so by clicking “Donate or Pay What You Can.” To donate by e-transfer, send it to us at: inourtongues@gmail.com..
**Previously registered but can’t find the event details? click here to see the details and online viewing link!
black history month ft.motion, Wise Atangana, Leslie Roach & Anaïs Cardot.
For Black History Month, we are pleased to feature Motion, Wise Atangana, Leslie Roach & Anaïs Cardot.
Date: February 8, 2022
Time: 7-9:30pm EST
Zoom (Registration required - below)
To join you’ll need a computer, internet access and audio connection.
Closed captions will be available.
Our Guest Performers
MOTION
MOTION is a playwright, screenwriter, poet, and emcee, fusing word, sound & drama for the stage and screen. A Canadian Film Centre alumnus, Motion is currently a writer and Executive Story Editor on CBC’s hit drama series, Coroner (Back Alley/Muse). She is also developing series with production companies Darius Films and Sphere Media. Motion is the co-writer of Akilla’s Escape (Canesugar Films), a feature film with director Charles Officer, released in 2020, and the writer of ReelWorld Award-winning short film A Man’s Story (Bravofact) which has screened in film festivals in London, Ghana, Belgium, Zanzibar, and Toronto. Akilla’s Escape received 8 nominations and 5 wins at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards.
Her most recent production for the stage is Oraltorio: A Theatrical Mixtape with DJ L’Oqenz (dir. Mumbi Tindyebwa). Premiering to critical acclaim, it has been remounted at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre and Obsidian Theatre, CINARS in Montreal, and the groundbreaking Chale Wote Festival in Ghana. Her other works include Aneemah’s Spot (Summerworks), Loveleigh’s Logue (50in50/Billie Holiday Theatre, NYC), and the Dora-nominated co-creation Nightmare Dream (IFT Theatre/Obsidian Theatre).
MOTION est une dramaturge, une scénariste, une poétesse et une animatrice qui fusionne les mots, le son et le théâtre pour la scène et l'écran. Ancienne élève du Centre canadien du film, Motion est actuellement scénariste et rédactrice en chef de la série dramatique à succès de la CBC, Coroner (Back Alley/Muse). Elle développe également des séries avec les sociétés de production Darius Films et Sphere Media. Motion est la coscénariste d'Akilla's Escape (Canesugar Films), un long métrage avec le réalisateur Charles Officer, qui sortira en 2020, et la scénariste du court métrage A Man's Story (Bravofact), primé par ReelWorld, qui a été présenté dans des festivals de films à Londres, au Ghana, en Belgique, à Zanzibar et à Toronto. Akilla's Escape a reçu 8 nominations et 5 victoires aux Canadian Screen Awards 2021.
Sa plus récente production pour la scène est Oraltorio : A Theatrical Mixtape with DJ L'Oqenz (dir. Mumbi Tindyebwa). La première a été acclamée par la critique et la pièce a été reprise au Soulpepper Theatre et à l'Obsidian Theatre de Toronto, à CINARS à Montréal et au révolutionnaire Chale Wote Festival au Ghana. Parmi ses autres œuvres, mentionnons Aneemah's Spot (Summerworks), Loveleigh's Logue (50in50/Billie Holiday Theatre, NYC) et la cocréation Nightmare Dream (IFT Theatre/Obsidian Theatre), qui a reçu une nomination Dora.
Inspirée par son initiation en tant que membre cofondateur de la légendaire et plus ancienne émission de radio sur le hip-hop - The Masterplan Show sur CIUT89.5 FM, ainsi qu'en tant que responsable de la programmation musicale du mouvement révolutionnaire Fresh Arts Organization, Motion est actuellement directrice de cours de Griots to Emcees : Performance, Culture & Spoken Word à l'Université York.
Motion est également un poète publié avec deux recueils de poésie Motion in Poetry et 40 Dayz (Women's Press), ainsi que Everything Remains Raw (GooseLane), et The Black Notes (Insomniac Press).
Connect:
instagram: @motionlive
facebook : MotionliveEnt
WISE ATANGANA
Wise Atangana is a Canadian songwriter, performer, author, poet and community builder born and raised in Cameroon, Central Africa. From an early age, Wise’s grandparents instilled in him the wisdom that comes from oral storytelling. In the small village where he grew up, stories were told around a fire every night and were the primary means of transmitting knowledge. Today, as an adult, Wise continues to practice the art of storytelling through hip-hop, contemporary Afro music and slam poetry to inspire and motivate youth of all ages. Immigrating to Canada in 2013, Wise has since produced five singles, three albums, and released a fourth in July 2021
Wise Atangana est un auteur-compositeur, interprète, auteur, poète et bâtisseur de communauté canadien né et élevé au Cameroun, en Afrique centrale. Dès son plus jeune âge, les grands-parents de Wise lui ont inculqué la sagesse qui émane des récits oraux. Dans le petit village où il a grandi, les histoires étaient racontées autour d'un feu tous les soirs et constituaient le principal moyen de transmission du savoir. Aujourd'hui, à l'âge adulte, Wise continue de pratiquer l'art du conte à travers le hip-hop, la musique afro contemporaine et la poésie slam pour inspirer et motiver les jeunes de tous âges. Immigré au Canada en 2013, Wise a depuis produit cinq singles, trois albums, et en a sorti un quatrième en juillet 2012.
Connect:
Instagram@wiseatanganaofficiel
Facebook: WiseDivineAtangana
LESLIE ROACH
Leslie is a Montreal-born lawyer. She is currently based in Ottawa where she works for the Supreme Court of Canada. She previously lived in Italy, Mali, Tanzania, Kenya and Senegal when she worked for the United Nations. Finish This Sentence is her first book.
Leslie est une avocate née à Montréal. Elle est actuellement basée à Ottawa où elle travaille pour la Cour suprême du Canada. Elle a auparavant vécu en Italie, au Mali, en Tanzanie, au Kenya et au Sénégal lorsqu'elle travaillait pour les Nations Unies. Finish This Sentence est son premier livre.
Connect:
instagram: lesliearoach
facebook:LeslieRoach
ANAÏS CARDOT
Anaïs Cardot is a French and Gabonese singer and songwriter currently based in Ottawa, Canada. She grew up as part of an artistic family, listening to jazz, R&B, reggae, and indie music on a regular basis. Her father, a musician and boxer known as Bouddha Cardot, was the biggest influence in Anaïs’ life, inspiring her to pursue a career in music. She started creating music in her bedroom, putting songs that she recorded with her earphones on Soundcloud, and eventually expanding to other social and music platforms. Anaïs is a versatile artist who loves making meaningful music that makes others feel good and connects people together. She hopes that her music will teleport people into her thoughts and feelings, touching the soul of anyone who listens.
Anaïs Cardot est une chanteuse et compositrice française et gabonaise actuellement basée à Ottawa, au Canada. Elle a grandi au sein d'une famille artistique, écoutant régulièrement du jazz, du R&B, du reggae et de la musique indépendante. Son père, un musicien et boxeur connu sous le nom de Bouddha Cardot, a été la plus grande influence dans la vie d'Anaïs, l'inspirant à poursuivre une carrière dans la musique. Elle a commencé à créer de la musique dans sa chambre, en mettant les chansons qu'elle enregistrait avec ses écouteurs sur Soundcloud, pour finalement s'étendre à d'autres plateformes sociales et musicales. Anaïs est une artiste polyvalente qui aime faire de la musique significative qui fait du bien aux autres et relie les gens entre eux. Elle espère que sa musique téléportera les gens dans ses pensées et ses sentiments, touchant l'âme de quiconque l'écoute.
Connect:
instagram: anais.cardot
facebook:Anaïs Cardot
To join us, please Register at no cost. This event is for everyone!
Once you register, if you’d like to make a donation via credit card to support our work and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour artists, please do so by clicking “Donate or Pay What You Can.” To donate by e-transfer, send it to us at: inourtongues@gmail.com..
**Previously registered but can’t find the Zoom link? Simply access the zoom link to join us.
VERSEFEST + IN OUR TONGUES WORKSHOP - Bodily Feelings: Writing Poetry Using Affective Objects
Bodily Feelings: Writing Poetry Using Affective Objects
We’re so excited for our November writing workshop in partnership with VERSe Ottawa for VERSefest! This workshop is open for all and is free, by donation or pay-what-you-can.
Date: November 13, 2021
(Length: 2 hours)
Facilitator: Sanchari Sur
Time: 2-4pm
Limit: 30 participants
To join you’ll need a computer, internet access and audio connection.
Closed captions will be available.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
This workshop intends to work with a physical object that one is emotionally/affectively attached to, and use that “affect” that object elicits within you, to write.
What is affect? What makes objects affective? How does the “affect” of an object (physically or otherwise) affect you? How does your attachment to the object “feel” within your body? What does this “feeling” from this object mean to you? How can you use affective objects effectively to write poetry?
These are some questions this workshop will explore. Through writing prompts and free-writing exercises, participants will be encouraged to write poetry using their affective objects, with a particular focus on the body and intersectionality.
Prep:
Participants are encouraged to have already chosen an object that is personal to them. For example, photograph, coins, a piece of jewelry, toy, mug, etc.; basically any physical object that elicits a vivid memory and strong feelings.
To join us, please:
1) Register by donation or pay what you can. This event is for everyone!
OR
2) Register here if funds are a barrier or if you're paying by e-transfer! If you don’t have a credit card and want to donate or pay what you can, you can send us an e-transfer after registering at: inourtongues@gmail.com.
**Previously registered but can’t find the Zoom link? Simply access the zoom link to join us.
ABOUT VERSEFEST
VERSeFest is Ottawa’s annual International Festival of Poetry. Built on a mandate of fostering creative crossroads and community, we feature English and French poetry of all traditions, styles, and forms. Since 2011, we have showcased the best local, Canadian, and international poets performing in both spoken and written word genres. As one of Canada’s largest and most successful poetry festivals, our stages have featured readings by Griffin, Governor General, and Pulitzer Prize winners.
VERSeFest is curated and organized by a planning committee comprised of a collective of local poetic organizations and reading series under the guidance of the festival’s artistic director.
our workshop facilitator
sanchari sur
Sanchari Sur (she/they) is a PhD candidate in English at Wilfrid Laurier University. Their work can be found in Al Jazeera, Toronto Star, Toronto Book Award shortlisted The Unpublished City (Bookhug, 2017), Joyland, Daily Xtra, Asian American Writers’ Workshop’s The Margins, Ploughshares, Arc Poetry Magazine, Quill & Quire, and elsewhere. They are a recipient of a 2018 Lambda Literary Fellowship in fiction, a 2019 Banff residency (with Electric Literature), and Arc Poetry Magazine’s 2020 Critics’ Desk Award for a Feature Review. Sanchari co-edited Watch Your Head: Writers and Artists Respond to Climate Change (Coach House Books, 2020), and is featured in In/Appropriate: Interviews with Canadian Authors on the Writing of Difference (Gordon Hill Press, 2020).
season 3 with Titilope Sonuga, Yolande Laroche (mal/aimé) and Joseph A.Dandurand
We can’t believe we’ve made it to our third season! Join us:
Date: October 12, 2021
Time: 7-9pm EST
Zoom (Registration required)
To join you’ll need a computer, internet access and audio connection.
Closed captions will be available.
To join us, please:
1) Register at no cost. This event is for everyone!
Once you register, if you’d like to make a donation to support our work and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour artists, please do so through this donation portal.
or send as an e-transfer: inourtongues@gmail.com
our featured artists
Titilope Sonuga
Titilope is a Nigerian writer, poet, playwright, and performer whose work grasps for moments of tenderness and persistent joy at the intersection of blackness and womanhood. She is the 9th Poet Laureate of the City of Edmonton. Titilope is the author of three award-winning collections of poetry, Down to Earth (2011), Abscess (2014), and This Is How We Disappear (2019) and has composed and released two spoken word albums, Mother Tongue (2011) and Swim (2019). Titilope has written three plays, The Six; an intergenerational exploration of womanhood, Naked; a one-woman play and Ada The Country, a musical. She has scripted global advertising campaigns for brands including The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, Intel Corporation, Guaranty Trust Bank and The MacArthur Foundation. She was a writer and actor on the hit television series Gidi Up, which aired across Africa. Her writing has been translated into Italian, German and Slovak.
Instagram: titilope
Twitter: deartitilope
Titilope est une écrivaine, poète, dramaturge et interprète nigériane dont l'œuvre saisit des moments de tendresse et de joie persistante à l'intersection de la négritude et de la féminité. Elle est la 9e poétesse lauréate de la ville d'Edmonton. Titilope est l'auteure de trois recueils de poésie primés, Down to Earth (2011), Abscess (2014) et This Is How We Disappear (2019), et a composé et publié deux albums de spoken word, Mother Tongue (2011) et Swim (2019). Titilope a écrit trois pièces de théâtre, The Six ; une exploration intergénérationnelle de la féminité, Naked ; une pièce pour une seule femme et Ada The Country, une comédie musicale. Elle a scénarisé des campagnes publicitaires mondiales pour des marques telles que la Fondation Bill et Melinda Gates, Google, Intel Corporation, Guaranty Trust Bank et la Fondation MacArthur. Elle a été scénariste et actrice de la série télévisée à succès Gidi Up, diffusée dans toute l'Afrique. Ses écrits ont été traduits en italien, en allemand et en slovaque.
Joseph A. Dandurand
Joseph, author of SH:LAM, is a Kwantlen Aboriginal from Kwantlen First Nation in British Columbia. He is a poet, playwright, and archaeologist. He received a Diploma in Performing Arts from Algonquin College and studied Theatre and Direction at the University of Ottawa. He has previously published
I Want (2015), Hear and Foretell (2015), and The Rumour (2018).
@mawenzihouse
Joseph, auteur de SH:LAM, est un autochtone de la Première nation de Kwantlen, en
Colombie-Britannique. Il est poète, dramaturge et archéologue. Il a obtenu un diplôme en arts de la scène du Collège Algonquin et a étudié le théâtre et la mise en scène à l'Université d'Ottawa. Il a déjà publié I Want (2015), Hear and Foretell (2015), et The Rumour (2018).
@mawenzihouse
Yolande Laroche (mal/aimé)
Yolande, a classically trained clarinetist from Gatineau, Quebec, steps into the realm of ambient chamber music with her solo project mal/aimé via experimental improvisation. She builds dreamy landscapes with loops on synths and voice while demonstrating an array of interesting traditional and non-traditional techniques on clarinet using breath, vocalization, and percussive elements. mal/aimé has performed across Canada and at festivals such as Bluesfest (Ottawa), Megaphono (Ottawa) and Flourish Festival (New Brunswick).
Links/Liens:
Yolande, clarinettiste de formation classique originaire de Gatineau, au Québec, s'aventure dans le domaine de la musique de chambre ambiante avec son projet solo mal/aimé par le biais de l'improvisation expérimentale. Elle construit des paysages oniriques avec des boucles de synthétiseurs et de voix tout en démontrant un éventail de techniques traditionnelles et non traditionnelles intéressantes à la clarinette en utilisant le souffle, la vocalisation et les éléments percussifs. mal/aimé s'est produite partout au Canada et dans des festivals tels que Bluesfest (Ottawa), Megaphono (Ottawa) et Flourish Festival (Nouveau-Brunswick)
indigenous history month ft. jordan abel, aurora jade, Gabe Calderón, carmel, patsea and THÉO.
For Indigenous History Month, we are so pleased to have Carmel, Patsea and Théo opening our last gathering of Season 2. We are excited to feature performances by Jordan Abel, Aurora Jade and Gabe Calderón.
Date: June 8, 2021
Time: 7-9pm EST
Zoom (Registration required)
To join you’ll need a computer, internet access and audio connection.
Closed captions will be available.
our opening ceremony
THÉO ‘RED SKY’ PARADIS
Théo is Indigenous, she grew up in Cornwall and currently lives on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabe Nation in Ottawa. Her family came from along the Ottawa and St.Lawrence River in the territory of the Algonquin and Kanien’kehá:ka (“People of the Flint”). She is Agokwe nini (2 Spirit) and Oshakbaywis (traditional helper) with elders and knowledge keepers in the community. She is of the bear clan and parent to two amazing children.
In Théo’s role as a traditional helper of ceremony, drumming and singing provides her with a deep rooted connection of traditional and indigenous way of life.
CARMEL WHITTLE
Carmel is a contemporary multi-disciplinary 2 spirit Irish/Mik’maq visual artist, musician/songwriter, educator and independent filmmaker hailing from Newfoundland – a province whose harsh beauty and strong people have moulded her into an artist with a deep understanding of people’s strength when attuned to the power of nature. Major themes in Carmel’s artwork include struggles for social justice and human rights, Indigenous Peoples’ strength and resilience, empowerment of women and challenges to traditional representations of urban and natural environments. She is a co-writer, producer and host of Podcast#83, which is a call-to-action podcast series based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report. The podcast features discussions with Indigenous and non-indigenous representatives from the arts world, including poets, musicians, makers, gallery directors, and others. Film projects include co-director and co-writer for the documentary film 1 Contrary 5 Agokwe-nini, assistant editor for Eric Walker’s (Souriquois Metis film maker) film In L’acadie Ke’pek, and writer/director of the film On Our Land (2020), a residency project with Digital Art Resource Centre (DARC) formerly SAW Video.
She uses her community arts experience and work in leadership roles in Indigenous and multicultural communities to help build bridges of understanding. Her roles have included arts-health practitioner, educator, and community outreach and Indigenous liaison with Gallery 101 and New Edinburgh Community and Arts Centre (NECTAR). She is co-director and curator of the annual No Borders Art Festival. Her work as a cultural community artist and Indigenous liaison supports her striving and thriving in decolonized community arts. Currently her art is on exhibit at Lineage Art Gallery, Ottawa.
www.carmelwhittle.com
podcast#83 | RedCircle
www.nobordersartfestival.com
PATSEA GRIFFIN
Born and raised on her ancestral land along the Kichi Sibi (Ottawa River) on unceded Algonquin territory, Patsea is a special blend of many bloodlines including Ontario Métis. She is the founder of The Thunderbird Sisters Collective, co-director with No Borders Art Festival, co-organizer of the 2021 Women’s Art Festival, and serves on the board of The Multicultural Artists Coalition (MAC-CAM). She also finds time to escape to the countryside and loves being a roadkill adventurer (always on the lookout for porcupines). She is the facilitator of the weekly beading group ‘Beading with Patsea.” Artist. Beadworker. Poet. Drummer. Singer. Dreamer.
‘My art keeps me connected to nature, my mother, and all my relations in the spirit world.’
@patseagriffin
@thunderbirdsisters
@beadingwithpatsea
@shiningwaterdesigns
OUR GUEST PERFORMERS
AURORA JADE
Aurora has been performing since she was nine years old. She is Plains Cree and was raised in Mohawk territory of Tyendinaga. Aurora is a pianist, singer and songwriter and visual artist. Her solo piano works have won various performing arts awards and she now teaches early childhood piano. She is currently working on her second album called "Chaotic Neutral" where she is releasing her new original songs. Her music is available on her youtube channel Aurora Jade Music.
Instagram: @AuroraJadeMusic
Facebook Page: Aurora JadeE
JORDAN ABEL
Jordan is a Nisga’a writer from Vancouver. He is the author of The Place of Scraps (winner of the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize), Un/inhabited, and Injun (winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize). Jordan’s latest project NISHGA (forthcoming from McClelland & Stewart in 2021) is a deeply personal and autobiographical book that attempts to address the complications of contemporary Indigenous existence and the often invisible intergenerational impact of residential schools. His work has been published in numerous journals and magazines, such as Canadian Literature,The Capilano Review, and Poetry Is Dead. His visual poetry has been included in exhibitions at the Polygon Gallery, UNITT/PITT Gallery, and the Oslo Pilot Project Room in Oslo, Norway. Jordan recently completed a PhD at Simon Fraser University, and is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Film Studies at the University of Alberta where he teaches Indigenous Literatures and Creative Writing.
GABE CALDERÓN
Gabe (they/them) is nihz-manidowag/ihkwew (2 spirit/transgender) Anishnaabe, L'nu and mixed white (French and Scottish). They originate from Omamiwinini Anishinabeg aki and currently thrive in Treaty 6- Amiskwacîwâskahikan as the 2019-2020 Mr International Two-Spirit. Gabe is a published author and poet, receiving several awards from Prairie Fire & Historica Canada in conjunction with the Governor General’s Awards for Indigenous Arts and Stories and is the 2nd place champion of the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, their short story: Andwànikàdjigan is a finalist for the Alberta Literary Awards and the anthology that contains this short story: Love After the End is shortlisted for a Lamda 2021.
Website: www.mokinanconsulting.com
Instagram/TikTok: nishingabe
To join us, please:
1) Register at no cost. This event is for everyone!
Once you register, if you’d like to make a donation to support our work and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour artists, please do so through this donation portal.
or send as an e-transfer: inourtongues@gmail.com
Asian Heritage Month: Writing with Nisha Patel
For Asian Heritage Month, we are so pleased to partner with Nisha Patel for our second writing workshop!
NISHA PATEL
Nisha Patel is an award-winning queer poet & artist. She is the City of Edmonton’s Poet Laureate, and the 2019 Canadian Individual Slam Champion. She currently works as the 2021 Regional Writer in Residence. She is a recipient of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award and the University of Alberta Alumni Award of Excellence. Her debut collection COCONUT is available now at Glass Bookshop. You can find her at nishapatel.ca
To reserve a spot in this workshop, please:
1) Register at no cost. This workshop is for everyone!
Once you register, if you’d like to make a donation to support our work and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour artists, please do so through this donation portal.
or send as an e-transfer: inourtongues@gmail.com
#4: april gathering - RESILIENCE
Due to Covid19, our fourth gathering of Season 2: April Gathering will be online.
Registration will be required to ensure the safety and best possible experience for our guests and performers. This event will be recorded and will be closed captioned for accessibility.
Date: April 13, 2021
Time of Event: 7-9:00pm
What you require:
Computer, smart device or tablet with internet access and video/audio capabilities
Zoom app
Open mic:
We’re also accepting five (5) people for our open mic time slots! When you register for our event, simply check off if you want to be considered for our open mic.
For our open mics, we accept people from all backgrounds to share their writing, songs, poems or artistic work for two (2) minutes.
meet our guests:
JAYE SIMPSON
jaye is an Oji-Cree Saulteaux Indigiqueer from the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. they are a writer, advocate and activist sharing their knowledge and lived experiences in the hope of creating utopia. jaye is published in several magazines including Poetry Is Dead, This Magazine, PRISM international, SAD Magazine: Green, GUTS Magazine, SubTerrain, Grain and Room. they are in two anthologies: Hustling Verse (2019) and Love After the End (2020). it was never going to be okay (Nightwood Ed.) is their first book of poetry, published October 2020. they are a displaced Indigenous person resisting, ruminating and residing on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh), and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nations territories, colonially known as Vancouver.
Twitter: @fka_jayesimpson
Instagram: @jaye_simpson
JACQUI DU TOIT
Jacqui is an award-winning, internationally celebrated storyteller from Kimberley, South Africa. She received the 2019 Prix Rideau Award for Outstanding Female Performance in Drowning Girls and an Outstanding Female Performance nomination for her role in Omnibus Bill. She created The Hottentot Venus - Untold, a monodrama nominated for best actress at the 2017 Rideau Awards and Capital Critics Awards. Jacqui has performed across Canada and the world. She serves on the Board of Directors of GCTC, Ottawa Storytellers and Tactic Indie Theatre festival. Jacqui is the founder and director of 8thGeneration Storytelling Company and the Co-owner and Creative Director of The Origin Arts and Community Centre in Ottawa.
Insta: jacqui.dutoit & 8thgenstory
Twitter: Generation8th
PAULA C.
Paula C is an Ottawa-born vocalist with a powerful sound that invites the listener to reflect on feelings of rejuvenation, healing, and love. Reggae, R&B, and her Jamaican-Dominican upbringing all influence her music, creating a sound that she calls “Neo-Soul With a Gospel Flow.” Paula C has performed at local cyphers and world-class stages. In 2020, she performed live at Bluesfest and The National Arts Centre, where she accompanied fellow musician NAMBI as part of The Rhythm. Her most recently released debut single, "Never Thought,” is an honest reflection of her views on self-love and what it means to transcend love beyond genders.
Instagram: @musicbypaulac
Thank you to the City of Ottawa Diversity In The Arts Fund for supporting this event.
Discovering Delight with Living Hyphen: A Virtual Writing Workshop for BIPOC
As people who might identify as Indigenous, Black and/or people of colour, we don’t have to default to the stories of hardships, trauma and oppression. This virtual writing workshop is for you to step out and discover delight, find joy and embrace happiness.
Register and learn more.
#2: Celebrating black history month
Due to Covid19, our second gathering of Season 2: February celebrating Black History Month will be online.
Registration will be required to ensure the safety and best possible experience for our guests and performers. This event will be recorded.
Date: February 9, 2020
Time of Event: 7-9:00pm
What you require:
Computer, smart device or tablet with internet access and video/audio capabilities
Zoom app
Open mic:
We’re also accepting five (5) people for our open mic time slots! When you register for our event, simply check off if you want to be considered for our open mic.
For our open mics, we accept people from all backgrounds to share their writing, songs, poems or artistic work for two (2) minutes.
meet our guests:
JUSTIN “JAH’KOTA” HOLNESS
Justin “Jah’kota” Holness is a musical artist and owner/founder of TR1BE Music. He is a 2019 Indigenous Music Award Nominee for best rap hip hop album of the year for WOKE. His song WOKE also hit number one on the Indigenous Music Countdown for Aug 3-9, 2019. He made history as the first Native Hip-Hop Artist to drop a verse in the Senate 2016. He is passionate about sharing his experience with the next generations so they can learn how to navigate the music industry, overcome challenges, amplify their voices and share their stories! His company, TR1BE Music, began as a studio program to nurture the gifts and talents of young people who aspire to be artists and help them break into the music industry. It has now evolved into the first Afro-Indigenous owned, profit-sharing, music streaming platform to build Indigenomics and innovate the music industry to help increase market value for artists.
el jones
El Jones is a spoken word poet, educator, journalist, and a community activist living in African Nova Scotia. She was the fifth Poet Laureate of Halifax (2013 to 2015) and National Slam Champion at the Canadian Festival of the Spoken Word (2007 and 2008). In 2016, El was a recipient of the Burnley “Rocky” Jones human rights award for her community work and work in prison justice. She is a
co-founder of the Black Power Hour, a live radio show with incarcerated people on CKDU that creates space for people inside to share their creative work and discuss contemporary social and political issues. Along with this work, she supports women in Nova Institution in writing and sharing their voices. El served as the 15th Nancy’s Chair of Women’s Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University for the
2017-2019 term. Her book of spoken word poetry, Live from the Afrikan Resistance! was published by Roseway Press in 2014. El writes a weekly column for the Halifax Examiner, and was an Atlantic Journalism Award winner in 2018. El would like to pay tribute to the many nameless and unrecognized women whose work makes it possible for her to be here today.
TIYAHNA RIDLEY-PADMORE
Born in Montreal and currently living in Toronto, Tiyahna is a lifelong bookworm and the author of Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada. She is an Equity and Inclusion Strategist who believes in the transformative power of inclusive representation and intersectional story-telling. Tiyahna has a Master's degree in Public Policy and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
For more information on Trailblazers or to follow Tiyahna:
@tiyahna_
info@blacktrailblazers.ca
https://www.blacktrailblazers.ca/
Merryl-Royce Ndema-Moussa
Merryl-Royce is a passionate, self-taught artist living in Ottawa and the illustrator of Trailblazers. As a new father, Merryl-Royce hopes to leverage his artistic skill set to foster a more equitable world for the next generation.
@theroyceproject
Thank you to the City of Ottawa Diversity In The Arts Fund for supporting this event.
S02: Gathering one
Our second season is upon us! Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are postponing our October event and rescheduling it for November. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we are looking forward to gathering with you!
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Time: 7-9PM EST
Location: Zoom
Cost: Suggested Donation $5
Registration for this event is closed. Please email inourtongues (at) gmail (dot) com to join us.
There will be no open mic, however we have a special presentation and community project in store.
You will be sent the Zoom link a few days before the actual event. We will not be streaming this event live.
Meet our Performers!
keith whiteduck
Keith Whiteduck is Anishinabe from Algonquin territory Kitigan Zibi (Quebec). Keith has studied music at both Cambrian College in Sudbury, ON (performance diploma) and Queen's University Kingston, ON (Bachelor of Arts-music). For Keith, school and studying classical music has really opened up a love of all genres/styles of music. Because of this he also writes all styles and performs variety when possible.
Keith participated in festivals such as Summer Solstice/Ottawa Bluesfest (Ottawa) and The Fringe Festival (Edinburg, Scotland). Keith has also composed/recorded original compositions and has recently received a grant from the Hynatyshyn Foundation in honour of his original music.
Keith has started to focus solely on his music career recently. The first album ‘Enter Keith Whiteduck’ was released in December 2019 with the help of ‘Weber Brothers Productions’ and James McKenty. It is available on iTunes/Spotify.
Keith’s website.
Jamaal Jackson Rogers
Jamaal Jackson Rogers; stage name JustJamaal ThePoet, is an award winning, internationally recognized independent artist, creative entrepreneur and arts educator. He is the recent outgoing Ottawa English Poet Laureate, a position that has not been occupied in the city of Ottawa for the past 30 years, and has been awarded the outstanding Artist Educator Award by the Ontario Arts Foundation. He has also received awards for his appearances on Canadian documentaries “4 Kids” and “In Their Words” by TVO and CBC respectively and was the first place recipient for best new poem at the Body Electric Poetry Film Festival for his cinepoem “Husniyah”. In 2016, he was a finalist in the Emerging Artist Award presented by RBC.
As an artist he is a poet/writer, spoken word practitioner, recording rap artist, and stage performer, recording and performing on numerous festival stages with his Hiphop group Missing LinX and new soul band, The WIze. He draws his inspiration from the conditions of society and human behaviour, and has been mentored by Hiphop's original pioneer and master poet, the late founder and leader of The Last Poets, Jalal 'Lightenin' Rod' Nurridin. Jamaal's his early years he has honed his talents that has allowed him in the past five years to bring his performances to audiences across Canada and internationally. His defining moments are when he makes intimate connections with his listeners during his live performance sets. As a creative entrepreneur he has quickly become known for his ability to take ideas and translate them into action, using art as a way to bring communities together for entertainment and education. He is the mind and management behind such endeavours as Make Spoken Word Go Viral and Fly Poets Society; organizations that support poets and songwriters in their craft and that engineer poetry and music related events in the capital city of Canada.
Other major creative projects under his name include the Writers Point Poetry Retreat, Urban Legends Poetry Slam, Nationless Nights Music Concert, The Algonquin College Poetry Show, the House of Paint OG500 Poetry Slam, and the National Youth Poetry Festival to name a few. As an arts educator he has worked with thousands of youth and young adults nationally and abroad, using unique methods to assist participants in finding their artistic voice. He has taught masterclass workshops in songwriting, performance and poetry and has been recognized by his peers for the creative activities that he uses in order for the learner to be actively engaged.
Jamaal is also considered a mentor and arts coach, working in correctional facilities and finding time to tutor in inclusive settings with artists to help them reach their goals within various artistic fields. Teaching, inspiring and leading is what Jamaal believes he does best, and with 20 years of working with youth, he finds his passion best exemplified as an arts educator. He resides in Ottawa, Canada, with his wife and six children, using the national capital region and his performance studio, THE ORIGIN ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE, as his launch pad to teach, mentor and advocate for the arts.
HANA SHAFI
Hana Shafi is a writer and artist who illustrates under the name Frizz Kid. Both her visual art and writing frequently explore themes such as feminism, body politics, racism, and pop culture. A graduate of Ryerson University’s Journalism Program, she has published articles in publications such as The Walrus, Hazlitt, This Magazine, Torontoist, Huffington Post, and has been featured on Buzzfeed India, Buzzfeed Canada, CBC, Flare Magazine, New York Times, and Shameless.
Known on Instagram for her weekly affirmation series, she is also the recipient of the Women Who Inspire Award, from the Canadian Council for Muslim Women.Her first book, It Begins With The Body was recently selected by CBC books as one of the best poetry books of 2018. Her second book, Small, Broke, and Kind of Dirty is forthcoming with Bookhug Press on September 22nd.
#7: June Gathering in Honour of National Indigenous History Month
Due to Covid19, our June gathering will be online.
Registration will be required to ensure the safety and best possible experience for our guests and performers. We’re also accepting five (5) people for our open mic time slots! When you register for our event, simply check off if you want to be considered for our open mic.
For our open mics, we accept people from all backgrounds to share their writing, songs, poems or artistic work for two (2) minutes. *OPEN MIC IS NOW FULL*
Date: June 9, 2020
Time of Event: 7-9:30pm
What you require:
Computer, smart device or tablet with internet access and video/audio capabilities
Zoom app
SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTATION BY:
DR. LYNN GEHL
Lynn Gehl is an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe from the Ottawa River Valley, although due to Canada’s need to clear the land of Indigenous Nations she was born and grew-up in Toronto. She studied chemical technology at college where, after 12 years of working in the environmental science field, she returned to school eventually gaining a Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies. Her undergraduate studies were in psychology and cultural anthropology, her Master’s thesis focused on the impact of identity denial where she developed “disenfranchised spirit, a model and a theory”. Her Doctoral dissertation focussed on the Ontario Algonquin land claim process where she developed “Debwewin Journey, an ancient model and theory” as her methodology, thus clearly producing Indigenous knowledge. This doctoral work offered an insider analysis of the ongoing genocide inherent in the land claims process. Today she places ancient Anishinaabeg knowledge at the core of what she learns, thinks about, and does. Lynn has a rare form of blindness which creates many judgements and barriers yet at the same time increases her ability to think critically.
While only learning how to read and write beyond the primary school level in her thirties, Lynn was successful in obtaining the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Scholarship. She completed her Ph.D. in 2010 and has since focussed on knowledge production, both in academic and community based venues. She has 4 books published, many academic journal publications, and well over 100 community publications in such places as Anishinabek News, Muskrat Magazine, rabble, Canadian Dimension, Huffington Post, Policy Options, and most recently Canada’s History Magazine. She blogs and has several video productions, and has participated in over 20 television and radio interviews, most recently with CBC’s The Current.
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Lynn Gehl est une Anishinaabe-kwe algonquine de la vallée de l'Outaouais, bien qu'elle soit née et ait grandi à Toronto en raison de la nécessité pour le Canada de défricher les terres des nations autochtones. Elle a étudié la technologie chimique au collège où, après avoir travaillé pendant 12 ans dans le domaine des sciences de l'environnement, elle est retournée à l'école pour obtenir un doctorat en études autochtones. Elle a fait des études de premier cycle en psychologie et en anthropologie culturelle, et sa thèse de maîtrise portait sur l'impact du déni d'identité, où elle a développé "un esprit privé de ses droits, un modèle et une théorie". Sa thèse de doctorat s'est concentrée sur le processus de revendication territoriale des Algonquins de l'Ontario, où elle a développé "Debwewin Journey, un modèle et une théorie anciens" comme méthodologie, produisant ainsi clairement un savoir autochtone. Ce travail de doctorat a offert une analyse de l'intérieur du génocide en cours inhérent au processus de revendication territoriale. Aujourd'hui, elle place le savoir anishinaabeg ancien au cœur de ce qu'elle apprend, pense et fait. Lynn est atteinte d'une forme rare de cécité qui crée de nombreux jugements et obstacles tout en augmentant sa capacité de réflexion critique.
Bien qu'elle n'ait appris à lire et à écrire qu'à partir de la trentaine, Lynn a réussi à obtenir la bourse d'études supérieures de l'Ontario et la bourse du Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines. Elle a obtenu son doctorat en 2010 et s'est depuis lors concentrée sur la production de connaissances, tant dans le cadre universitaire que communautaire. Elle a publié 4 livres, de nombreuses revues universitaires et plus de 100 publications communautaires dans des endroits tels que Anishinabek News, Muskrat Magazine, rabble, Canadian Dimension, Huffington Post, Policy Options et, plus récemment, Canada's History Magazine. Elle tient un blog et a réalisé plusieurs productions vidéo, et a participé à plus de 20 interviews à la télévision et à la radio, dont la plus récente avec l'émission The Current de la CBC.
JANELLE “ECOABORIJANELLE” PEWAPSCONIAS
Janelle “ecoaborijanelle” Pewapsconias (she/her) is a nehīyaw spoken word poet, social entrepreneur, founder of Neeched Up Games and Neechimoose Novelties, and grassroots activist from Little Pine First Nation, Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatchewan. She is part of the Saskatoon Indigenous Poets Society.
She is the 2017-18 Tonight It’s Poetry (TiP) Poetry Grand Champion, competing at 2018 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and was a finalist at the 2019 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam in Vancouver. She has self-published her first chapbook, kikawiynaw askiy: Mother Earth, and is completing her second chapbook nipiy acimowina: #PoemsForMotherEarth.
As a reserve-based artist, she practices, organizes, and builds her spoken word art that continues the oral tradition and celebrates narratives of Indigenous survivance and strength. She believes in ahkamemowin (“ahh-gkaa-mey-moo-win” 5 syllables) – meaning having resilience and never giving up. Working to build community she brings the message: “your words matter, your words are alive, let us tell our stories with care”.
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Janelle "ecoaborijanelle" Pewapsconias (elle) est une poète de la parole nehīyaw, entrepreneure social, fondatrice de Neeched Up Games et Neechimoose Novelties, et militante de la Première nation de Little Pine, territoire du Traité 6 en Saskatchewan. Elle fait partie de la Saskatoon Indigenous Poets Society.
Elle est la grande championne du Tonight It's Poetry (TiP) 2017-18, qui participe au Festival canadien du spoken word 2018 et a été finaliste au Canadian Individual Poetry Slam 2019 à Vancouver. Elle a auto-publié son premier livre de chapitres, kikawiynaw askiy : Mother Earth, et termine son deuxième livre de chapitres nipiy acimowina : #PoemsForMotherEarth.
En tant qu'artiste basée dans une réserve, elle pratique, organise et construit son art de la parole qui perpétue la tradition orale et célèbre les récits des autochtones sur notre survie et notre force. Elle croit en ahkamemowin ("ahh-gkaa-mey-moo-win" 5 syllabes) - ce qui signifie avoir de la résilience et ne jamais abandonner. En travaillant à la construction d'une communauté, elle apporte le message : "vos mots comptent, vos mots sont vivants, racontez-nous nos histoires avec soin".
LEANNE BETASAMOSAKE SIMPSON
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is a renowned Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, member of Alderville First Nation, writer, and poet, who has been widely recognized as one of the most compelling Indigenous voices of her generation. Her work breaks open the intersections between politics, story and song—bringing audiences into a rich and layered world of sound, light, and sovereign creativity.
Leanne holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba and teaches at the Dechinta Centre for Research & Learning in Denendeh. She is the author of five previous books, including This Accident of Being Lost, which won the MacEwan University Book of the Year; was a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and the Trillium Book Award; was long listed for CBC Canada Reads; and was named a best book of the year by the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and Quill & Quire. Her latest book, As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2017 and was awarded Best Subsequent Book by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Her new novel Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies is forthcoming from House of Anansi Press in the fall of 2020.
Leanne is also a musician combining poetry, storytelling, song-writing and performance in collaboration with musicians to create unique spoken songs and soundscapes. Leanne's third record, The Theory of Ice will be released in 2020.
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Leanne Betasamosake Simpson est une érudite Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg renommée, membre de la Première nation d'Alderville, écrivain et artiste, qui a été largement reconnue comme l'une des voix autochtones les plus convaincantes de sa génération. Son travail fait éclater les intersections entre la politique, l'histoire et la chanson, amenant le public dans un monde riche et stratifié de sons, de lumières et de créativité souveraine.
Leanne est titulaire d'un doctorat de l'université du Manitoba et enseigne au Dechinta Centre for Research & Learning au Denendeh. Elle est l'auteur de cinq livres précédents, dont This Accident of Being Lost, qui a remporté le prix du livre de l'année de l'université MacEwan ; elle a été finaliste pour le prix Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction et le prix Trillium Book ; elle a été longuement citée dans le cadre de CBC Canada Reads et a été nommée meilleur livre de l'année par le Globe and Mail, le National Post et Quill & Quire. Son dernier livre, As We Have Always Done, a été récompensé par le Globe and Mail, le National Post et Quill & Quire : Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance a été publié par l'University of Minnesota Press en 2017 et a reçu le prix du meilleur livre ultérieur décerné par la Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Son nouveau roman Noopiming : The Cure for White Ladies sera publié par la House of Anansi Press à l'automne 2020.
Leanne est également une musicienne qui combine poésie, récit, écriture de chansons et performances en collaboration avec des musiciens pour créer des chansons parlées et des paysages sonores uniques. Le troisième disque de Leanne, The Theory of Ice, sortira en 2020.
WILLIAM “NORTHERN KNOWLEDGE” KOMAKSIUTIKSAK
William Komaksiutiksak, also known as Northern Knowledge, is a touring Hip-Hop Artist who is originally from Kangi&ingiq, Nunavut. He is also the founder of the youth-led organization Strong Minded Inuit (SMI). William creates music to help learn how to speak his language of Inuktitut. He is a family man, a father, and he is strongly supported across Inuit Nunangat.
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William Komaksiutiksak, également connu sous le nom de Northern Knowledge, est un artiste hip-hop itinérant originaire de Kangi&ingiq, au Nunavut. Il est également le fondateur de l'organisation dirigée par des jeunes, Strong Minded Inuit (SMI). William crée de la musique pour aider à apprendre à parler sa langue, l'inuktitut. C'est un père de famille, et il est fortement soutenu par l'Inuit Nunangat.
Thank you to the City of Ottawa Diversity In The Arts Fund for sponsoring this event.
No Borders Art Festival
No Borders Art Festival Online - Coming to a living room near you!
For all up-to-date details visit: https://nobordersartfestival.com/
Saturday, May 16
3:00-5:00pm: Watch Party The John Allaire Show with special guest Tony D, two-time Juno award winner with Monkey Junk!
5:30 pm: Opening with Doreen Stevens, Louise Garrow, Makhena Rankin Guerin, Aymara Alvarado Lang, Pedro Diaz (Churún Merú), Marcelo Saavedra-Vargas, Yessica Rivera Belsham & Theo Paradis, Thunderbird Sisters Circle, Tito Medina, Just Voices Activist Choir. Featuring Music, Drumming, Teachings, Hoop Dancing.
7:00pm: An evening of performances with Yessica Rivera Belsham & Theo Paradis, Aymara Alvarado Lang, Rob Snikkar, Maria Hawkins, Evan Garrow, Ashelita Shellard, Lili Mivechi, Kerem Eker, Ellie Partridge, Royal Ottawa, Pedro Diaz (Churún Merú), Aki Metallic Silver
Sunday, May 17
9:00am: Facebook concert featuring Beverley McKiver on piano
10:00-11:00: Beading with Patsea!
11:00-12:00 TBA
12:00 -2:00pm: International conversation on survivng the pandemic: hosted by Patsea and Isaac Murdoch. International and Indigenous panel including Carmel Whittle, Francine Anishinabe, Aymara Alvarado Lang, Robert Snikkar, Beverley McKiver, Susan Fino (New York), Louise Garrow, Eleanor Hooker (Ireland), Ashelita Shellard, Kaz (India) and Pedro Diaz.
2:30pm: Wrap Up - poetry and more: Eleanor Hooker,
In Our Tongues with: Shery Alexander Heinis, Natalie Hanna, Sarah Kabamba, Danielle Gregoire, Mailyne K. Briggs, and Larissa Desrosiers.
Mirth Vital Marrow, Patsea Griffin, Doreen Stevens, Rob Snikkar, Bart Gerald, Carmel Whittle and others… and Just Voices Activist Choir
#6: May Gathering in Honour of Asian Heritage Month
***REGISTRATION FOR THIS GATHERING IS NOW CLOSED***
Due to Covid19, our May gathering will be online.
Registration will be required to ensure the safety and best possible experience for our guests and performers. We’re also accepting five (5) people for our open mic time slots! When you register for our event, simply check off if you want to be considered for our open mic.
For our open mics, we accept people from all backgrounds to share their writing, songs, poems or artistic work for two (2) minutes.
Date: May 12, 2020
Time of Event: 7-9pm
What you require:
Computer, smart device or tablet with internet access and audio capabilities
Zoom app
After registration, we will email you with the access information for our event on May 12, 2020.
MEET OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
KING KIMBIT
King Kimbit is an internationally-acclaimed Hip-Hop artist with a focus on the literary sense, interested in telling stories that are authentic to her experiences and identities. Her poetic work details the realities of her upbringing as the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, the truths of her social vantage point as a young racialized womxn, and her stance on social issues regarding racism, de/colonization, and gender inequality.
Since being crowned Urban Legends Poetry Slam Champion in 2012, King has been sharing love and light through her poetry and music across Canada, the US, and more recently in Jamaica, where she worked in part on her debut album of poetry and musical arrangements entitled "Life Lessons Poetically". King currently coordinates Urban Legends’ Youth Speak! writing and performance workshops for teens and is also 1/3 of the founding force of Cap City Cyphers, a space for rappers across the city to unite and celebrate love and unity through Hip-Hop.
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King Kimbit est un artiste de Hip-Hop de renommée internationale qui met l'accent sur le sens littéraire et s'intéresse à raconter des histoires qui sont authentiques par rapport à ses expériences et à son identité. Son travail poétique détaille les réalités de son éducation en tant que fille d'immigrants vietnamiens, les vérités de son point de vue social en tant que jeune femme racialisée, et sa position sur les questions sociales concernant le racisme, la décolonisation et l'inégalité des sexes.
Depuis qu'elle a été couronnée championne du Urban Legends Poetry Slam en 2012, Mme King a partagé l'amour et la lumière à travers sa poésie et sa musique au Canada, aux États-Unis et, plus récemment, en Jamaïque, où elle a travaillé en partie sur son premier album de poésie et d'arrangements musicaux intitulé "Life Lessons Poetically". King coordonne actuellement les ateliers d'écriture et de performance "Youth Speak !" d'Urban Legends pour les adolescents et est également 1/3 de la force fondatrice de Cap City Cyphers, un espace pour les rappeurs de toute la ville pour s'unir et célébrer l'amour et l'unité à travers le Hip-Hop.
ELLEN CHANG-RICHARDSON
Ellen Chang-Richardson (she/her) is a Toronto/Ottawa poet of Taiwanese and Cambodian-Chinese descent. Winner of the 2019 Vallum Award for Poetry, her writing has appeared in Anti-Heroin Chic, Cypress Press, Bywords.ca and more. Her debut chapbook Unlucky Fours is now available with Anstruther Press (2020). In addition to her writing, Ellen is the founder of Little Birds Poetry and the
co-founder of Riverbed Reading Series - a new Ottawa-based performance series launching May 20, 2020. Follow her on Twitter @ehjchang.
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Ellen Chang-Richardson (elle) est une poète de Toronto/Ottawa d'origine taïwanaise et cambodgienne-chinoise. Lauréate du prix Vallum 2019 pour la poésie, ses écrits ont été publiés dans Anti-Heroin Chic, Cypress Press, Bywords.ca et bien d'autres. Son premier livre de chapitres, Unlucky Fours, est maintenant disponible chez Anstruther Press (2020). En plus de ses écrits, Ellen est la fondatrice de Little Birds Poetry et la co-fondatrice de Riverbed Reading Series - une nouvelle série de performances basée à Ottawa qui sera lancée le 20 mai 2020. Suivez la sur Twitter @ehjchang.
NAMITHA RATHINAPPILLAI
Namitha Rathinappillai (she/her) is a spoken word poet, artist, and writer who has been part of the poetry community since 2017. She has been involved with Urban Legends Poetry Collective ever since her engagement with the Ottawa arts community, and made Urban Legends history as the first female and youngest director. She is a two-time Canadian Festival of Spoken Word team member with Urban Legends, and she published her first chapbook titled ‘Dirty Laundry’ with Battleaxe Press in November of 2019. She has been involved as a performer and a workshop facilitator within the Ottawa community at spaces such as Tell em Girl, Youth Ottawa, the Artistic Mentorship Program, Carleton Art Collective, The Fembassy, Youth Services Bureau, and more.
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Namitha Rathinappillai (elle) est une poète, artiste et écrivain qui fait partie de la communauté de la poésie depuis 2017. Elle est impliquée dans le Urban Legends Poetry Collective depuis son engagement dans la communauté artistique d'Ottawa, et a fait entrer Urban Legends dans l'histoire en tant que première femme et plus jeune directrice. Elle a fait partie de l'équipe du Festival canadien du spoken word à deux reprises au sein du Urban Legends, et elle a publié son premier livre de chapitres intitulé "Dirty Laundry" chez Battleaxe Press en novembre 2019. Elle a participé en tant qu'interprète et animatrice d'ateliers au sein de la communauté d'Ottawa dans des lieux tels que Tell em Girl, Youth Ottawa, le programme de mentorat artistique, le Carleton Art Collective, The Fembassy, le Bureau des services à la jeunesse, et bien d'autres encore.
Thank you to the City of Ottawa Diversity In The Arts Fund for sponsoring this event.