Dear friends of the Tatamagouche Centre,
As you have probably heard, the Tatamagouche Centre Board is working towards transferring stewardship of the Centre's land and buildings to Women of First Light. This extraordinary transition follows a 70-year commitment from the United Church of Canada, board, staff, Peace and Friendship, Breaking the Silence, Contemplative Pathways, Program Resource Group and many other partners to social justice, spiritual connection and settler-Indigenous Peace & Friendship.
On Saturday, September 19th, we will come together to celebrate the many ways that gathering at the Centre--and the underlying work of gathering--have touched and transformed us. The day will be a time to celebrate the Centre's people and history, grieve its closing, and honour its future under the stewardship of Women of First Light.
We would be so pleased to see you there!
The celebration starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m.
Lunch and snacks are potluck style. We can use the kitchen to serve food, but we cannot cook there, so please consider bringing food items that don’t need to be reheated.
Rooms are available for a Friday and/or Saturday overnight stay. We will have several different cost options available. Please reach out to Katja@tatacentre.com for more information on pricing and how to book accommodation!
Broadly, the days schedule is:
Smudging ceremony
Story telling to honour the people & history
Potluck lunch (please consider bringing a little extra for people who can't bring a food offering)
Choose your own adventure
Collective role-playing and storytelling games
Contemplative walk on the land honouring history and Rematriation
Crafting & informal socializing
Self-directed activities
Story harvesting
And more…
Closing and transition circle led by Women of First Light
We are asking that folks register (it will only take a second!) to help us track numbers. Registration is not required, but you will be doing us a favour by letting us know that you're coming! Here is the registration form Tatamagouche Celebration Registration
The celebration is free, but we are suggesting a donation of $20 be made on the day of the event. These funds will go towards supporting the process of Rematriation!
Please reach out if you have questions! Tatacelebration@outlook.com
Details to follow.
We are looking for volunteers: if you are able to volunteer 1 to 2 hours of your time during or after the gathering (clean-up), please let us know! Your help would be much appreciated.
With appreciation for all the ways the Tata Centre has influenced our lives and work,
the celebration team
Karen Fish
Cam Ure
Nanci Lee
Amy Brierley
natalie abdou