Library virtual event for National Indigenous Peoples Day

By Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Times Reporter

The Strathmore Municipal Library is hosting a virtual meeting with three speakers in an open talking circle on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The event was set up by Tammy Nischuk, literary practitioner at the library. Through this event she hopes to encourage people to listen.

“I think that Indigenous peoples have an incredible wealth of knowledge, and that there’s a lot to be learned in our community and personally, from other individuals. I think we have to encourage discussions that matter in our community; and in order to form educated opinions, you have to have conversations with multiple points of view,” said Nischuk.

The event will consist of speakers sharing stories, along with a talking circle where people may share their thoughts.

The talking circle will “follow the three speakers,” noted Nischuk. “It’s an opportunity for people to share whatever’s on their mind about education or about their reflections on the event and how the speaker’s words might have impacted them, or share their personal stories. It’s a time for the community to come together and just have an opportunity to share discussion in a safe space.”

The speakers invited to the event include Astokomii Smith, Indigenous liaison with the Town of Strathmore; Michael Emery, speaker and mountain climber; and Sandra Lamouche, writer and TEDx speaker.

Registration is available on the library website (strathmorelibrary.ca).