Thunder Bay ON - The Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) proudly announces its 8th Annual Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Night. The night is in observance of the United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and launches the UN 16 days of activism against gender-based violence #orangetheworld campaign. This year’s global campaign theme is: Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls. The campaign ends on December 10th, Human Rights Day, emphasizing that violence against women is the most prevalent breach of human rights worldwide.
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) has been working to end violence against Indigenous women for over 50 years. ONWA believes that Indigenous women have a fundamental right to live in safety and that communities must all work together to create a future free from gender-based violence.
The Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Night embodies more than an event; it's a gathering of hope and healing. The gathering merges the power of words, art, music, and community to create a space where healing from violence through art becomes palpable.Participants and attendees will experience how poetry, art and music can express the inexpressible, bring to light hidden stories, and foster a sense of shared resilience and empowerment.
By featuring a mix of established and emerging artists, this event provides a platform for diverse voices. It underscores ONWA's commitment to nurturing a dialogue around the impact of violence and the journey to healing and resilience, particularly for Indigenous women and communities.
This year, ONWA is honored to welcome esteemed guests, including: author, filmmaker, artist, and speaker Cher Obediah; esteemed poet, activist and former chief AL Hunter; activist, writer, poet, teacher, and community leader Jana-Rae Xera; as well as emerging poets from across the province.
Adding to the evening's resonance, attendees will enjoy the musical artistry of Sara Kae and the profound talent of seven-time Juno Award winner Susan Aglukark.
This inspirational event is scheduled for November 25, 2023, at 7:00 PM EST at the Delta Hotel in Thunder Bay, Ontario, it will also be available online via Zoom.
To register for the event visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsf-upqj8rG9NgQoIaKsQyaBVoySaY31Xq
If you are unable to attend Poetry Night you can still help us raise awareness by submitting your work to be published in ONWA’s Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Book, volume 8. Province wide submissions are considered for ONWA’s annual publication which highlights poetry written by Indigenous women. Poems submitted this year (2023) will be published in a Poetry Book released at next year’s Poetry Night (November 25, 2024). Please be advised that the submission deadline is 11:59 PM EST on December 31, 2023.
To submit your poems please use this link: https://forms.office.com/r/zA64Rw4L55
To read previous versions of the Poetry Book: https://www.onwa.ca/strong-hands-stop-violence