This Town Hall gathers the Circle together following Canada’s sesquicentennial, representing 150 years of colonial injustices against the First Nations. It considers the Calls to Action resulting from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and commits to honouring Indigenous peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land and waters, and their rich contribution to society.

JP Longboat and Terri-Lynn Brennan lead this discussion-based session for artists, cultural producers, trainers, presenters and others interested in creating and sustaining sovereign arts spaces, to continue the legacy of self-determined Indigenous arts practices.

JP Longboat is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Circadia Indigena. He is Mohawk, Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River and is a storyteller, performer, and established multi-disciplinary artist. His work emanates from the cultural practices of his people: language, territory, and traditional teachings. Terri-Lynn Brennan is the CEO of Inclusive Voices Inc., and a community builder who focuses on Indigenous inclusion.

By sharing current research in the field and answering any and all questions, Longboat and Brennan will aim to shed light on the various needs of Indigenous artistic communities in Toronto. Based on their ongoing collaboration with renowned Métis artist and activist Clayton Windatt, and Alex Glass, Program & Assistant Executive Director at ArtsBuild Ontario, Brennan and Longboat will discuss their experiences working within Toronto’s cultural centres, and facilitate a dialogue on the topic of sustainable Indigenous creative spaces.