Eleanor Hegland is one of three making a presentation at the La Ronge Community Forum event tonight. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

virtual event

Online community forum examining Indigenous culture and history

Mar 30, 2021 | 12:00 PM

A free online event Tuesday hosted by the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCS) will examine racism, the impact it has in society and more.

The La Ronge Community Forum features three individuals who are working in Northern Saskatchewan to break down racial barriers and provide a better understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions. Colleen Charles, who is also a MCS board member, will present a Colonialism on Canvas art workshop.

“It’s a really great activity that I have personally done before,” MCS Executive Director Rhonda Rosenberg said. “It gives us really good ways of thinking about the impacts in the past and the present of colonization.”

Eleanor Hegland, an environmental protector and knowledge keeper, will talk about the importance of land, traditional medicines and reclaiming identity, while Eliza Doyle will share ideas about what to keep in mind if you are non-Indigenous and going into Indigenous communities to work.

“We are also really aware of some of the issues around land and colonialism that are happening right now in the North,” Rosenberg said. “We knew Eleanor was active in the conversation about the extraction of peat from near La Ronge. We thought that worked really well with the activity that Colleen was going to be doing.”

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Rosenberg noted MCS has also provided with Doyle with support to conduct anti-racism, trauma-informed, culturally-sensitive training for artists who may go to Northern Saskatchewan to share their talent.

Eliza Doyle is the founder of Community Arts Mentorship Programming and has music classes underway at several Lac La Ronge Indian Band schools. (Submitted photo/Eliza Doyle)

Anyone is welcome to register for the community forum, which is the last of six similar events hosted by the MCS in March. Rosenberg added viewers will be able to participate, ask questions and take part in conversations as well.

Those who would like to join the online forum should register here before 6 p.m. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno