The Health Arts Research Centre Joins Gathering Our Voices 2019!
On March 21st, 2019, the Health Arts Research Centre joined the Gathering Our Voices (GOV) Indigenous Youth Leadership Training on the traditional territories of the Hupačasath and Tseshaht First Nations (Port Alberni). We held two workshops for interactive creative expression and self-reflection.
The morning workshop, “Using your Strengths and Passions to Bring Positive Change to Your Community’s Health”, provided youth with the opportunity to reflect on their character strengths and inner passions. Youth created mixed-media art pieces to represent how their “sparks” will contribute to their community’s health.
The afternoon workshop, “Finding and Sharing Your Voice: Creative Expression in Mental Wellness”, had youth listen to lessons from Awoomatock (Gina Laing), a residential school survivor, and her daughter, April Laing, about stories and experiences of art and healing. Together, youth created a group circle art piece that represented what health and wellness means to them.We were so impressed at the youth’s artistic expressions and bright minds and are very excited to see where their futures take them! The Health Arts Research Centre would like to express our warmest thanks and gratitude to Awoomatock (Gina Laing) and her daughter April Laing for their sharing of stories and personal reflections during the workshop “Finding and Sharing Your Voice: Creative Expression in Mental Wellness “. This workshop was part of the 2019 Gathering Our Voices Indigenous Youth Leadership Training that took place on the traditional territories of the Hupačasath and Tseshaht First Nations (Port Alberni). We are deeply grateful for the time and energy they took to share their stories with Indigenous youth about their personal experiences with creative expression, wellness and healing.
