Strong Hands Stop Violence
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Strong Hands Stop Violence project raises awareness of violence against women and girls. It includes an annual Poetry Night, an annual Poetry Book, and an ongoing collective Art Project.
The name Strong Hands Stop Violence comes from the collective Art Project. Participants of Poetry Night are invited to dip their hands in orange and blue paint and press on a canvas to signify standing together to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Art as healing trauma is a strong foundation of the work ONWA does, addressing violence from perspectives rooted in cultural teachings. ONWA is committed to supporting communities and providing hope to those on their healing journey.
Poetry Night
ANNUAL EVENT - NOVEMBER 25
Each year, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) hosts Poetry Nights across Ontario to raise awareness of violence against women in support of the United Nations International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women’s #orangetheworld campaign.
Poets, storytellers, writers and spoken word artists are invited to help raise awareness of violence against Indigenous women and girls by participating in this virtual event. Poetry Night includes readings from both emerging and established poets, live musical performances, and a collective art project.
Poetry Night provides an opportunity to create a space where Indigenous women and families can gather and celebrate their shared strength and resiliency. Art as healing trauma is a strong foundation of the work ONWA does, addressing violence from perspectives rooted in cultural teachings. ONWA is committed to supporting communities and providing hope to those on their healing journey.
2020
5TH ANNUAL POETRY NIGHT
2020 marks ONWA’s 5th annual Poetry Night, which will be held virtually through Zoom at 7:00-9:00pm EST on November 25, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Poetry Night will share a different format this year. Rather than having multiple events across the province, we will gather online for one provincial event. We will continue to feature readings from both emerging and established poets, and live musical performances. The collective art project will take the form of a “Strong Hands Stop Violence” Art Kit which will be mailed to those who register.
2020 Registration Deadline: 11:59pm on November 24, 2020
This year, ONWA is honoured to be featuring poets Al Hunter, Dr. Duke Redbird, and Trivena Andy.
Collective Mindfulness Poem
from Poetry Night 2018 - Thunder Bay
Blueberry
Close your eyes
Put a berry in your mouth
One word
Tattoo
Awaken
Explosive
Julilious
Sour
Sweet
Fresh
Bittersweet
Tart
Take a moment
Appreciate the little things
Even blueberries
Poetry Books
CHECK OUT ALL THE PREVIOUS VOLUMES
Submit your Poem(s)
FOR VOLUME 5 OF THE STRONG HANDS STOP VIOLENCE POETRY BOOK
Collective Art Project
CHECK OUT THE ART
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2018
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2017
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2016