STEPS

The land and the elements are a testament to the interconnectedness of life. From the weaving of roots buried deep within the ground, extending to the tree tops and out into the vast world, how can we reach out to the land that holds us together? From Weeds We Grow is a project led by the STEPS Initiative to strengthen our understanding and relationship to the land and water that is a vital part of our ecosystem. For the Ontario Culture Days festival and as a part of this series, Haudenosaunee/Anishinaabe multimedia artist Lindsey Lickers will host a community bead-in focused on the restorative properties of water at Rowntree Mills Park. Community members will create small fabric pieces that will be added to a collective installation displayed in the Toronto Public Library’s Albion Branch.

This series will also include an online talk with Lindsey and Elder Renee Thomas-Hill, dive deeper into their current relationship with the environment and the importance of our local waterways.

Artist’s bio:
The STEPS Initiative develops one-of-a-kind art engagement strategies to transform public spaces. From Weeds We Grow is an ongoing project exploring Rexdale’s history through nature. Through the existing project, they will be working with Lindsey Lickers, a Haudenosaunee/Anishinaabe multi-media artist. Lindsey, ‘Mushkiiki Nibi’ (Medicine Water) is Turtle Clan originally from Six Nations of the Grand River, with matriarchal ties to the Mississauga’s of Credit First Nation. She has been a practicing artist specializing in painting, beading and community arts facilitation going on fifteen years.

We acknowledge that Culture Days @ The Library is supported by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario, and the Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto.