In honour of Problem Gambling Awareness Month (March), ONWA’s Responsible Gambling team presents a series of free virtual gatherings of knowledge and storytelling addressing online streaming and gaming.
Taking place 5:30 - 8:00 PM EST every Tuesday throughout March 2023. Join us for an evening of teachings, storytelling, and creativity, as we work together to engage discussions on problem gambling and gaming in our communities.
Each session will be opened and closed by Elder and Knowledge Keeper Tina Armstrong in a good way. Every presentation will be followed by Questions & Answers period and end with a cultural activity.
For each session, the first 100 people to register before the listed deadline (and choose to include their mailing address) will receive free activity kits. All other registrants are responsible for their own supplies. Supplies are listed below and in the registrations.
SIGN UP NOW using the links provided below!
March 7th
Register at: https://bit.ly/3YXoxaK
Traditional Ways of being and the importance of community in combating problem gaming and gambling.
Presentation: “Traditional Storytelling” with Ron Mandamin
Activity: Medicine strawberry pin beading with Kaija MacKay
Activity Supplies: (Kit registration deadline: Sunday, February 26, 2023)
Red beads size 10/0
Thread
Pin
Beading needle
Red felt (cut into 2 heart shapes)
Green felt (cut into stem shape)
Tobacco, sage, sweetgrass, cedar trimming
March 14th
Register at: https://bit.ly/3IDT7RL
Youth and Parents internet safety techniques and prevention.
Presentation: “Youth & Parent: knowing your APPS” with Paul Davis
Activity: Medicine pouch beading with Kaija MacKay
Activity Supplies: (Kit registration deadline: Sunday, March 5, 2023)
2 leather pouch pieces with coordinating holes
Leather strip (approximately 4 feet long)
Small paint set
Paint brush
Large needle
Roll of sinew thread
March 21st
Register at: https://bit.ly/3KhasAX
An Indigenous Perspective on online safety.
Presentation: “Online Safety, An Indigenous Perspective” with Aaron Tyance and Amy Short
Activity: Dream Catcher beading with Kaija MacKay
Activity Supplies: (Kit registration deadline: Sunday, March 12, 2023)
Hot glue gun
4 inch ring
28 inches of 1/4 inch hide strip
20 inches of 1/8 inch hide strip
4 feet of sinew thread
6 large plastic beads
1 small plastic bead
6 feathers
March 28th
Register at: https://bit.ly/3ItJBQM
Traditional Storytelling… Todays society, the importance of community in addressing problem gambling and gaming.
Presentation: “Traditional Storytelling and Today's Society” with Maya Chacaby
Activity: Medicine Wheel beading with Kaija MacKay
Activity Supplies: (Kit registration deadline: Sunday, March 19, 2023)
Red beads size 10/0
Yellow beads size 10/0
Black beads size 10/0
White beads size 10/0
1/4 sweetgrass braid
3-by-3 inch bead backing
3-by-3 inch pellin
Graphic of small Medicine Wheel (to serve as pattern)
1.25 inch pin
Bobbin of thread
2 beading needles
Beading mat
About the Speakers:
Aaron Tyance
Responsible Gambling Coordinator at the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)
Amy Short
Mental Health and Addiction Anti-Human Trafficking Liaison at the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)
Kaija MacKay
Youth Outreach and Cultural Worker at the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA)
Maya Chacaby
Maya Chacaby is Anishinaabe, Beaver Clan from Kaministiquia (Thunder Bay). Her birth family comes from Red Rock (Deschamps/Blanchette/Desmoulin) and adoptive family (Chacaby) from Ombabika, Lake Nipigon (registered with Eabametoong). Maya was an apprentice in Traditional storytelling with Alex McKayban (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug) for 8 years along with many other wonderful Elders. She has a fancy teaching job at York University but offers anything and everything she does to Nokiiwin Tribal Council in service to her community. Maya also runs professional development sessions on cultural competency and culture-based trauma informed practices reaching more than 10,000 participants across the province over the last ten years with District School Boards, Health Service Providers, Hospitals, Law Enforcement, Legal Clinics, Children’s Aid, Municipal leadership, Provincial Ministries,Tribal Councils, and more. Her publications focus on Anishinaabe world views and pedagogies, Indigenous anti-human trafficking, Anishinaabemowin revitalization and ending violence against Indigenous women. Maya is a serious MMORPG gamer and is currently developing an open-world RPG called “Biskaabiiyaang" based on the language and stories from the North Shore. Maya has also developed a D&D style tabletop Anishinaabemowin adventure game that she runs through her language classes at York University.
Paul Davis
The BIO/Outline covers current topics/technology and trends. Cyberbullying ties into the whole message. Social media, Sexting/child pornography, digital trails, Smartphone, online security & more.
Paul Davies brings 32yrs+ of IT technology and expertise to his speaking engagements.
Paul has presented to over 720,000 students from grade 4-12 from Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia & Quebec to Louisiana, New York California, Iowa & Nevada. All in just ten years.
Since September – 98,000 students Virtually/Alberta/Quebec/NY states.
Relating to kids as a father of two girls, and to parents as an IT/Cyber professional – All presentations are targeted so that each audience leaves with a wealth of knowledge and empowerment for their respective age level.
Ron Mandamin
Anishinaabe teachings are passed forward through blood line, active teaching, engagement and ceremony. Ron Mandamin has received his traditional knowledge in this manner. His blood line flows back and back and back.
Ron holds traditional knowledge and passes forward that which he has been given. Ron is a highly respected Anishinaabe nini (man) who lives, leads and teaches from the traditional Ojibway ways he was raised.
He speaks fluently, was taught the traditional teachings, history, plants, medicines, healing practices, language, and all Anishinaabe, as few have. Ron is known across Anishinaabe country and is highly respected as a presenter, ceremonial lead, orator, singer, teacher, language speaker, fabric and beading artist and the list goes on.
He is a member of Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation. Contemporary boundaries locate his community in northwestern Ontario, by the Manitoba border.
Years ago, I encouraged Ron to gain credentials in the SGEI-Queen’s University Aboriginal Teacher Education Program. At the time, I was the Seven Generations Education Institute’s Post-Secondary Education Director.
Ron was actively teaching without mainstream credentials and subsequently, not receiving respectful remuneration. Ron chose not to enroll in our program and I have come to understand a little bit of why he chose not to venture into mainstream-indigenized study.
He carries Anishinaabe 3teachings in a pure form, taught in the language and with meaning as the Elders gave him. He did attend minimal mainstream education then chose to maximized the training he received from his Elders.
From a young age, throughout his life and through spirit Ron continues to learn and teach. As such, I have relied upon Ron to lead ceremonies, be a guest speaker to students, assist in healing practices and present at various workshops and conferences. Ron is an extremely special Traditional Knowledge Keeper.
In Treaty 3, I can think of no other person who carries the language, teachings and way of being as he does. He is a role model, humble and tenacious. Ron is the headman, Ogimaa for the Iskatewizaagegan 39 Midewiwin Lodge.
The Midewiwin Lodge, good hearted way, he leads humbly, attracts Anishinaabe from across our territory. He carries songs, teachings, protocols, and so much more that he passes forward to the people. Ron empowers others by encircling himself with many oshkabiwis, helpers, who are learning through active engagement.
His teachings impact lives as we listen, connect to Spirit, release pain, embrace love and laughter. Lives have changed because he has chosen to hold to the teachings, songs and gifts passed to him. He willingly passes them forward as - “These teachings belong to all of us. No one person owns these teachings, Creator loves us all.”
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