Drop in to celebrate the achievements of w omen in our community at an inspiring evening of art\, performances\, and story sharing.
\nHalal food and other refreshments will be served at 4:30 PM along with time to socialize and explore the art on display. Ther e will be children's activities throughout the evening.
\nThe main p rogram begins at 5:30 PM and features musical and dance performances as we ll as Indigenous story sharing and drumming.
\nA quiet prayer room i s available for those observing Ramadan.
\nPresented in partnership with Kingston Interval House\, Kingston Immigration Partnership\, Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest\, Trellis HIV Community Care\, Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston\, Sexual Assault Centre Kingston\, Kingston Anti-V iolence Advisory Council\, and Resolve Counselling Services Canada.
\n< p>Supported by the Kingston Frontenac Anti-Violence Coordinating Committee and the Friends of the Library.\nSchedule of Events
\n4:30-5:30pm Refreshments\, children&rsquo\;s activities \, IWD activity\, smudging
\n5:30pm Event Begins: W elcoming remarks
\n5:35pm Message from the library staff
\n5:40pm Land welcoming by Grandmother Kate
\nKa&rsquo\;taroh:kwi is situated on the ancestral homeland of the Huron-Wendat\, Anishinaabe\, and Haudenosaunee Confederacy. M&eacut e\;tis\, Inuit\, and other First Peoples across Turtle Island have also ma de their home here. The region&rsquo\;s diverse landscape nourished genera tions of different Indigenous Nations who walked on the land\, hunted in t he forest\, and fished in the lakes. Kingston was included in the Dish Wit h One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant between Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee to share hunting territory. By comparing the land to a dish to be shared and cared for\, Indigenous ancestors taught us the importance of peace-buildin g\, sustainability\, and collaboration. As uninvited guests\, we are grate ful to grow our roots in the traditional territory of Anishinaabe and Haud enosaunee\, and to thrive on Indigenous Peoples&rsquo\; generational carin g for the Land.
\n5:50pm Guzheng performance by Yuchen
\nGao Yuchen is a 12-year-old music prodigy from Beijing. She ha s demonstrated a deep passion for music since early childhood and began le arning piano and Guzheng at the age of five. Through years of dedicated pr actice\, she has honed her skills and performed at different events\, earn ing wide community recognition.
\nGuzheng is a traditional Chinese p lucked zither with a history spanning over 2\,500 years. It features 21 st rings and measures 64 inches in length\, tuned to the pentatonic scale.
\n\;6:00pm Poem reading by Sadiqa de Meijer
\ n
Sadiqa de Meijer is Katarokwi/Kingston's Poet Laureate\, and an
award-winning writer of poetry and essays. Her upcoming poetry collection
is called In Qaf&rsquo\;s People and is available for pre-order. One of he
r favourite words in her first language is leeshonger (lays-hong-er) which
means a hunger to read.
6:10pm Indigenous story sharing\, singing and dancing \;
\nLynda Gerow\, Program Manager of the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest (KNCLN)\, will share stor ies in connection to women\, girls\, and Two Spirit peoples\, grounding th e space in reflection\, strength\, and lived experience.
\nYessica R ivera Belsham (Ocelopacihuatl)\, Community Care Manager at KNCLN\, will sh are a song with a traditional drum honouring Mother Earth and all women. T he song will be accompanied by the St. Pierre Fancy Shawl Dancers\, whose movement carries resilience\, beauty\, and the enduring strength of Indige nous women.
\n6:20pm Keynote speech by Ophelia
\ n
V. Ophelia Rigault\, MEd\, is an inclusion strategist\, keynote
speaker\, and joy activist who brings over 15 years of expertise in Equity
\, Diversity\, Inclusion\, and Belonging. As the Principal Consultant of R
EAL Talk Solutions and the Founder and Director of The SHINE Club\, she bu
ilds dignity‑centred systems where belonging is measurable\, action
able\, and woven into everyday practice. With a Master of Education specia
lizing in Leadership\, Ophelia blends lived experience\, humour\, and trut
h‑telling to challenge audiences to move beyond intention and lead
with courage\, accountability\, and joy. Her keynotes inspire leaders to l
isten without defence\, honour impact over intent\, and create cultures wh
ere everyone can flourish.
To learn more about REAL Talk Solutions visit https://realtalk solutionsconsulting.com/
\nAnd about The SHINE Club visit: https://theshineclub.org/
\nAfro Mama Rythmé\;es was formed in 2024 in Kingston by a group of F rancophone mothers united by a shared passion for African dance and world rhythms. The collective aims to celebrate cultural diversity\, share the r ichness of African traditions\, and create moments of connection\, energy\ , and joy through each performance. Afro Mama Rythmé\;es brings vita lity\, authenticity\, and a community spirit to every appearance. Among us are teachers\, educators\, social workers\, and more.
\nAfro Mama R ythmé\;es a é\;té\; formé\; en 2024 à\; King ston par un groupe de mè\;res francophones unies par une passion com mune pour la danse africaine et les rythmes du monde. Le collectif vise &a grave\; cé\;lé\;brer la diversité\; culturelle\, à \; transmettre la richesse des traditions africaines et à\; cr&eacut e\;er des moments de partage\, d&rsquo\;é\;nergie et de joie à \; travers chaque prestation. Afro Mama Rythmé\;es apporte vitalit&e acute\;\, authenticité\; et esprit communautaire à\; chacune d e ses apparitions. Parmi nous il y a les enseignantes\, les é\;ducat rices\, les travailleuses sociales etc.
\n6:40pm Vocal perfo rmance from Inna
\nInna Leshchuk is an Honored Artist of Uk raine. She was a soloist in a military orchestra for more than 10 years. S he is a vocal teacher at the Music Academy. She is a member of the jury of international competitions in Italy\, Austria\, Bulgaria and Canada.
\ n6:50pm Closing remarks
\n7:00pm Mix and mingle\, smudging
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