Tammy Patrick and Sharon Isaac from M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre at a Seven Grandfather Teachings felt mask station.

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This past Sunday, Mar. 26, concluded the second of two free public Wildlife Paper Mâché workshops in Owen Sound at the Harmony Centre.  

A total of 91 people of all ages participated over two days, in an intergenerational art workshop, to make paper maché masks and figures representing wildlife at risk from habitat loss and the climate crisis.

The event was a prelude to the second annual Earth Day Procession of the Species parade, which uses art to bring wildlife into the heart of the city, dramatically calling attention to the animal and bird life that cannot advocate for itself.

The organizers of Earth Day Grey Bruce believe that community art can be a force of nature in bringing people together to create the world we want. 

This year's workshop had a special focus on the Seven Grandfather Teachings, as represented by Wolf, Bear, Raven, Beaver, Turtle, Bison and Eagle.

The art workshops offered a space to reflect on humility, bravery, honesty, wisdom, truth, respect and love, and what these animals have to teach us at this particular moment of ecosystem crisis.

The Teachings were shared by Sharon Isaac, Cultural Facilitator with the M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, as well as by Tammy Patrick, member of the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre and of the Earth Day Planning Committee.

Sharon, with her storytelling, puppetry and ukulele singing ran a station for making felt masks with the younger children choosing the animal and teaching of their choice.  

The paper mâché portion of the workshop was led by local artists Ron Schweitzer, Hester Koopman and Michell Lawrence.

The workshops are part of a community effort to connect, energize and grow the climate action movement, with Earth Day marking the season of awakening.

Getting ready at the Harmony Centre for the Earth Day parade.

Earth Day Grey Bruce 2023 will take place on Saturday, Apr. 22, at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with an exhibition of Youth Climate Action Projects on display at the North Grey Union Public Library, and displays at the Tom Thompson Art Gallery. 

This will be followed at 12:45 p.m. by an opening Water Ceremony with Shirley John, Strong White Buffalo Woman from Saugeen First Nation, with support of the M’Wikwedong Drumming Group and M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, in Queen’s Park, across 1st Avenue West from the Library and Gallery. Come learn about the businesses and organizations pioneering the green transition locally at the Climate Fair, enjoy live music and visit the Children’s Area from 2:00 p.m. onward at the Farmer’s Market. 

The Procession of the Species parade, which everyone can join, will be led by the Durham Sauntering Band and will feature puppets, masks and costumes reflecting the theme of endangered wildlife, starting from the Farmer’s Market and running from 3:30 p.m. until 4:00 pm. Performances by Wildflower Dance Arts and Sheatre’s Act for Climate Project, will be at the Farmer’s Market and along the parade route.

Everyone is encouraged to come bringing wildlife art, stuffed animals, or costumes to give wildlife a visible presence at the Earth Day Parade. 

Workshop participants Utah and Poppy try on their newly-made parade masks.

The Earth Day Grey Bruce Planning Committee gratefully acknowledges generous support from the Meridian Branches in Grey and Bruce and from Meridian’s Good Neighbour Program, as well as the Community Foundation Grey Bruce. We would also like to thank our sponsors, including Caframo, Cooks, Grey Roots Museum and Archives, Hydrogen Optimized, Josie’s of Wiarton, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, Mix 106.5, Country 93, and 560 CFOS, and to acknowledge the Grey Bruce Labour Council donation.

To follow Earth Day Grey Bruce 23 developments, like our Facebook page and join our Facebook group, and follow us on Instagram via @EarthDayGB22

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source: media release, Earth Day Grey Bruce