On July 10th, community members gathered at the Haileybury Harbourfront Pavilion for a Canoe Making and Birch Bark Painting Workshop in partnership with the Temiskaming Métis Community Council, Keepers of the Circle, and Planet Youth! The workshop brought youth and families together to celebrate traditional knowledge, creativity, and connection to land. 

Participants learned about the significance of canoes in Indigenous culture, the traditional materials and techniques used to make canoes and got to make their birchbark canoe replica!

Families could also try their hand at birch bark painting, expressing their stories and symbols using natural materials.

It was awesome to see families spending quality time together – strengthening protective factors like parent-child connection, creating shared experiences, and intergenerational learning. Several parents shared how meaningful it was to take part in an activity like this alongside their kids.

To stay in the loop with future events, follow @PlanetYouthTimiskaming on Facebook or check out the Events Calendar on our website!