The City of Brantford shares a free evening of Indigenous Culture with the community

Variety of images related to the Indigenous event

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford is pleased to share an evening of Indigenous Culture on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Proudly hosted by Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford Campus, the event takes place at the university’s Research and Academic Centre, located at 150 Dalhousie Street, and admission is free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the official program runs from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and features artisans, performers and films that showcase Indigenous culture.

“As an institution, Laurier strives to create an environment in which Indigenous values and culture are acknowledged, respected and celebrated,” said Heidi Northwood, senior executive officer of Laurier’s Brantford campus. “We are pleased to provide space for the City of Brantford to host this celebration of contemporary Indigenous art and artists. We look forward to the evening’s program and the conversations we hope it will inspire.”

Local Indigenous artisans will be onsite to showcase and sell their products. The event will feature a performance by world-renowned Hoop Dancer Ascension Aton:wa Harjo, a 19 year-old Mohawk, Kickapoo, Seminole from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. This will be followed by a special screening of Monkey Beach, a film that is a testament to an Indigenous woman’s ability to not just endure trials, but emerge from them empowered. Director Carla Robinson will be in attendance to take questions from the audience.

Finally, the evening concludes with Blood and Water, a self-narrated documentary, which shines light on the modern-day impact and generational trauma from residential schools with director and producer Layla Staats taking questions from the audience after the screening.

“I am thankful for directors Carla Robinson and Layla Staats for showcasing such impactful films in the City of Brantford,” said Lucas Isaac, Indigenous Affairs Advisor for the City of Brantford. “This is an excellent opportunity for all ages to gather, experience and learn from the lived experiences of Indigenous People.”

Tickets are available by emailing harmonysquare@brantford.ca or by calling 519-759-4150 ext.5074. Limited seating is available and offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Municipal parking is available at the Market Centre Parkade, located at 59 Icomm Drive or Municipal Lot #3, located at Darling Street. Fee information for each lot can be found at Brantford.ca.

Learn more by visiting Brantford.ca/IndigenousHistoryMonth or by calling 519-759-4150.

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Media Contact:

Sharon Sayles | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext.5218 | communications@brantford.ca