Nov. 24th, 1:00-3:00 PM
3516 Av du Parc, 1st floor

The Indigenous Support Worker Project (ISWP) and Pierre Parent will be bringing in crafters from Inuit and native communities to carve soap and make dreamcatchers on-site for two hours. Country food, such as caribou, will be served. Community members are invited to experience the ways that spaces for Indigenous art practices bring unity, a sense of purpose, connection, and joy. Pierre will also give a one-hour presentation discussing his own life experience and Indigenous realities and culture.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
As Indigenous people supporting Indigenous people, the ISWP is a harm-reduction based organization that uses experiential wisdom to build meaningful relationships and innovate solutions within the Indigenous Street Community. By meeting Indigenous people experiencing homelessness where they’re at, the ISWP is able to support safer substance use and provide access to physical, emotional, and cultural health resources.

Their primary goal is to build and maintain collaborative social relationships that contribute to Indigenous healing from intergenerational trauma and colonial violence. Their role is to model, support, and create opportunities for Indigenous resilience and wellbeing — within an Indigenous Harm Reduction framework.

Pierre Parent is a 52-year old Anishnawbe outreach worker. As a result of a lifelong battle with trauma and addiction, he wound up serving 10 years in federal prison. After becoming fully immersed in his culture and traditions with the Indigenous Elders who visited the prison, he facilitated an Aboriginal Peer Educational Coordinator initiative. Now a writer, public speaker, and social justice advocate, Pierre has been developing peer initiatives with the local Indigenous Street Community since April 2020.

Culture Shock is an annual event series on anti-racism, migrant justice, and Indigenous solidarity. It seeks to bring together racialized communities to discuss issues relevant to their lives, as well as to allow those who do not belong to these communities to learn more about struggles against racism, colonialism and border violence. Every year, QPIRG brings panels, workshops, film screenings, performance nights and fundraiser parties to McGill students and broader Montreal communities.

For more information email info@qpirgmcgill.org