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Image: (L to R) INDIGENOUS STORYTIME TEAM: Carmen Almeida (St. Jude’s Children's, Youth, and Family Ministries Coordinator), Preeya Nayee (Oakville Museum Programmer), Carolyn Cross (Oakville Museum Supervisor and Debwewin Ally Leadership Council Representative), Jennifer Faria (Featured Artist), Nancy J. Coombs (St. Jude’s Debwewin Ally Leadership Council Representative and Rector’s Warden), Tiffany Henry (Founder and Director, Time to Earth--Event Caterer)

A capacity group of children and their caregivers came together to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day Weekend at a special Indigenous Storytime event, co-sponsored by St. Jude’s and the Oakville Museum, on June 22, 2025. Jennifer Faria—a member of Chippewas of Rama First Nation who is a fine artist and creator of acclaimed picture books—gave readings from Raven, Rabbit, Deer and sequel, Finding Moose.  Oakville Museum, the event’s host, welcomed guests in its beautiful, historic space in Old Oakville for the summer afternoon gathering.

Following the reading and time for sharing, attendees enjoyed doing a craft based on the Sacred Grandfather Teachings, which Carmen Almeida (St. Jude’s Children's, Youth, and Family Ministries Coordinator) has incorporated monthly in Children’s Church throughout 2024-25.  Snacks were provided by Tiffany Henry of Time to Earth Catering, an Indigenous women-led land-based collective. Families and guests also visited the Museum’s Debwewin: The Truth Project Exhibition, to deepen understanding of Indigenous history and contemporary experiences.

St. Jude’s is grateful to team up with Oakville Museum and continues to welcome ways to extend bonds of friendship with our community and Indigenous partners. While gathering in fellowship on Indigenous Peoples Day weekend, we seek to honour our shared histories, Creator and Creation, as well as keeping these commitments in our everyday lives.

For more information on Jennifer Faria’s books and art, please visit her website: http://www.jenniferfaria.ca/

Parish Guilds And Committees
Justice and Servant Ministries