Digital Storytelling Workshop
2026-02-13 09:00 - 2026-02-15 15:00 (America/Toronto) | 110 Matchedash Street N, Orillia (Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Match Hub), 110 Matchedash Street N, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 4T8, Canada
Aaniin, Everyone!
We are excited to share our next 3-day Digital Storytelling Workshop series designed to celebrate and amplify your voices through the power of digital media. This program offers a unique opportunity to learn storytelling techniques, explore digital tools, and connect with others in the community to share the stories that matter to you.
This could be an opportunity for loved ones to share their survivor story, during their journey with cancer for instance.
Maybe someone you know has overcome challenges in their life and looking to celebrate their successes.
Or maybe there is someone you know who would like to time capsule all those special moments with a loved one.
The opportunities are endless for the story they could tell.
Here are some samples of other stories to view: Community Story Strategies » Gallery
Please see attached flyer for the upcoming digital storytelling series, scheduled February 11th, 12th and 13th, 2026.
Location: Orillia, ON
Time: 9am-3pm (a light morning snack and lunch will be provided)
Register for the series here: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50508715/Digital-Storytelling-Series-2026-Q4
Visit our website for other engagements/ upcoming workshops www.mamaway.ca/events
Contact Bawd with any additional questions via cell: (705) 826-0575 or email: belliott@banac.on.ca
Once registered, we will meet virtually over zoom on Weds, February 4th from 10:00-11:30am to go over what Digital storytelling is, and how we can help prepare you for the series. This will be an opportunity for you to ask questions as well.
But here is a bit more information to help you prepare for the upcoming series in the meantime if you choose to join us.
Each day, will include PowerPoint presentations sharing more information about the storytelling process and you will have time to work on your story supported by BANAC- Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin staff.
We will also share other digital stories with you to help inspire your creative process 😊
Feel free to explore this link in the meantime to view other DST stories: All series – Stories for Caregivers
Reviewing these videos will give you a feel for what you will be creating at the workshop.
Digital storytelling is not the same thing as film/video production.
During the workshop, you will:

share your story verbally with a group of other storytellers and receive/give input on the content
write a final script no more than 350 words in length – day 1
read and record this script as an audio file (solo via video camera audio) – day 2
choose/generate still pictures and short video clips to use in illustrating the story to support your voiceover; Day 2 & 3
And learn to use digital editing software that lets you combine these materials into a short (about two to four minutes long) digital story- throughout the 3 days

What to Expect: 📌 Hands-on training in digital storytelling
📌 Guidance from experienced mentors
📌 A space to share and preserve cultural narratives
📌 Supportive community engagement
Creating your own digital story will be personally exciting and is also a creative way to connect with others in the group.
Spots are limited, so be sure to register now; https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50508715/Digital-Storytelling-Series-2026-Q4
Email Bawd Elliott at belliott@banac.on.ca for more information.
We look forward to seeing your story unfold!

Anishnaabemowin Circle (Virtual Access)
2026-02-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Anishnaabemowin Circle – Join the conversation
Elder, Hector Copegog will be leading an Anishnaabemowin Talking Circle,
every other Friday, starting January 16th, 2026 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
This virtual drop-in group is a space for supporting each other through a talking circle in the language.
Register here: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50491811/Language-Class-registration-2026

If you have any questions, please email Lianne:
lhudon@banac.on.ca and she will coordinate with Elder, Hector

Snow Shoeing-Midland
2026-02-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Little Lake Park, Midland ON, 606 Little Lake Park Road, Midland, Ontario, L0K 2E0, Canada
Come and join Chris for some fun and exercise with a nice snow shoe hike through Little Lake Park. Meet at 10 am at the East Parking area. If you don’t have any snowshoes, We have some to lend you.

Barrie Walking Group
2026-02-17 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Johnson’s Beach Parking lot, 2 Johnson St, Barrie, ON, L4M 1E1
Come join Chris and Amaru for a Barrie Walking Group along Barrie’s waterfront. Starting at 10 on Tuesday mornings from the Johnson’s Beach parking lot.

Building Our Bundles: Uplifting Your Spirit for Frontline Workers
2026-02-17 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-24 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-03 10:00 - 14:00 | 110 Matchedash St. N., 110 Matchedash St., N, Orillia, ON, L3V 4T8, Canada
Join Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Life Promoters Courtney Thomas and Bawd Elliott for Building Our Bundles: Uplifting Your Spirit 6-week Series!
This series will provide a safe and supportive space to connect with each other and explore a range of topics related to cultural teachings and building your own bundle. By participating in the program, it will provide you with the tools and resources you need to help you live a good life!
Here is the breakdown of the 6-week Series and what we will be doing each week:

Week 1: What’s in Your Bundle?: What is a bundle? Bundle teachings.

Week 2: Four Sacred Medicines: Teachings about the four sacred medicines and harvesting.

Week 3: Shaker: What are shakers for?

Week 4: Eagle Feather Teachings: Eagle feather dressing and teachings.

Week 5: Ribbon Skirt/Shirt Teachings: Why do we wear ribbon skirts and ribbon skirts?

Week 6: Feast Your Bundles: Potluck Feast! Bring your favorite dish to share!

Throughout the 6 weeks, participants will make a bundle bag, smudge kit, medicine bags, dress a feather, a feather case, a shaker, ribbon skirts/shirts and lastly, bring their favorite dish to feast their bundles.
The series will run every Tuesday from 10:00am – 2:00pm in Orillia.
Click link to register: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50491431/Building-Our-Bundles-Uplifting-Your-Spirit-Q4-2026
If you have any questions, please reach out to Courtney Thomas at cthomas@banac.on.ca or Bawd Elliott at belliott@banac.on.ca

Fraud Prevention Session Information Session
2026-02-17 10:00 - 14:00
Please join us for an information fraud prevention session with special guest joining us from the Provincial Liaison Team, Indigenous Policing Bureau as well as the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment.

Penetanguishene Red Road to Recovery Group
2026-02-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Georgian Bay Native Womens Association 41 Main St. Penetanguishene, ON, 41 Main St., Penetanguishene, ON
A 10-week program that uses the Medicine Wheel as a teaching tool and our Indigenous approach to healing to address the Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual aspects of addiction and mental health recovery.

Moon Lodge 2026
2026-02-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Microsoft Teams
Monthly virtual Moon Lodge
A safe place for women to come together to share their life experiences and embrace the teachings offered by Grandmother Renee and the knowledge shared by Sarah Connors, Naturopath & Indigenous Doula. And it will continue to occur the Third Tuesday of every month, 1-3pm.
We will be aligning our Moon Teachings with our endocrine system (how the body relates to nature). What this means is, we will focus on different areas of the body each month with focus on caring for one’s self and as always Sarah will share her knowledge to use Traditional Medicines to support that par to the body. This will provide an opportunity for all ages to join us and learn more about some ways they can incorporate these tools and teachings to live the good life in all stages along our journey.
Ongoing until Dec 2026
We meet monthly over Microsoft Teams, email Lianne with any questions.
Please fill in the registration link below to receive the link.
https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50491760/Moon-Lodge-Registration-2026

Red Road to Recovery Continuing Peer Support Group
2026-02-17 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-24 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-03-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtually

Ribbon Hoodie Workshop
2026-02-18 10:00 - 15:00 | 110 Matchedash St. N., 110 Matchedash St., N, Orillia, ON, L3V 4T8, Canada
RIBBON HOODIE WORKSHOP – FULL! Please email Courtney if you would like to be added to the cancellation/wait list at cthomas@banac.on.ca
Join Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Life Promoter’s Courtney Thomas and Bawd Elliott for a Ribbon Hoodie Workshop on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026!
Date: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm (or whenever you get your sweater finished)
Location: 110 Matchedash St N, Orillia
Click here to register: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50510429/Ribbon-Hoodie-Workshop-Feb-18-2026
A light lunch & refreshments will be provided!
There is parking on the street or in the driveway.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Courtney at cthomas@banac.on.ca or 1-705-795-3371

Mino Miijim 'Good Food' Roots of Wellness Series
2026-02-18 13:00 - 15:00 | 562 King St, Midland ON, 562 King St, Midland, Ontario, L4R 4P3, Canada
Mino Miijim “Good Food” Roots of Wellness Series:
This 4 part series will provide information about living with diabetes/ preventing diabetes, and how to nourish the body through food. Each session will focus on a specific topic, followed by a cooking session where you will prepare food to take home and enjoy.
Registration is required to allow for the planning needed in purchasing food
To register scan the QR code in poster OR follow the link below OR link at the bottom of this page under (website)
https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50373133/Mino-Miijim-Roots-of-wellness-series
If you have any questions, please email Christal at cchampagne@banac.on.ca

Snow Shoeing at Sunnidale Park Barrie
2026-02-19 10:00, 2026-02-26 10:00, 2026-03-05 10:00 | Springwater Park, 1331 ON-26, Midhurst, Ontario, L0L 1X0, Canada
Come join Chris the Land Based Healing Coordinator and Amaru from the Barrie Native Friendship Center as the lead people on a snowshoe hike through Sunnidale Park. Starting on January 29th, 2026 at 10 am Weather Permitting. Please meet at the Dorian Parker Center Parking Area by 9:45 am. If you don’t have your own snowshoes we have some to lend you.

Sweetgrass Gathering Circle - Aftercare Peer Support
2026-02-19 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-02-26 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-03-05 17:00 - 18:30
Location: 110 Matchedash St N, OrilliaTime: Thursdays – Join in person at 5:00 PM for food and connection, or join virtually at 5:30 PM
The Sweetgrass Gathering Circle is a weekly hybrid peer support group for Indigenous adults actively engaged in recovery. Each session opens in a good way—with smudging, food, and community—and offers a safe, supportive space to build wellness, identity, and resilience.
Through a mix of cultural teachings, creative expression, group discussion, and meaningful connection, participants explore topics such as the Seven Grandfathers Teachings, Miikaans (Stages of Life), emotional awareness, gratitude, healthy boundaries, and cultural crafting.
Whether you’ve been part of WMS, ASEC, AA, or other recovery programs, this circle offers a space to stay grounded in recovery through culture and community.

Pow Wow Family Fun Nights!
2026-02-19 17:30 - 20:00 | Rama Community Hall, 5950 Rama Rd, Rama, Ontario, Canada
In collaboration with Chippewas of Rama First Nation and Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin, we invite you all to join us for “Pow Wow Family Fun Nights” starting Thursday, December 4th, 2025, at the Rama Community Hall at 5:00pm!
This drop-in style event will showcase and teach various styles of dance that you would see at a pow wow. We will have Oshki Gnebig Mnis Youth Drum practicing with a couple dancers in regalia each evening to showcase their style of dance and will be available to show any of our community members how to dance. If you have regalia that you would like to wear, you are more than welcome to bring it to dance with.
We will be having a potluck style dinner starting at 5:30pm! If you are able to, bring your favorite dish to contribute to the potluck.
Time:

5:30pm – 6:30pm – Pot Luck Dinner
6:30pm – 8:00pm – Dancing & Singing

Location: Rama Community Hall (5950 Rama Rd, Rama, ON)
Dates:

December 4th & December 18th,2025
January 8th & January 22nd, 2026
February 5th & February 19th, 2026

If you have any questions, please reach out to me at cthomas@banac.on.ca or 1-705-795-3371 or Stephanie at stephaniem@ramafirstnation.ca or 1-705-325-3611 ext 1429

Winter Stories in the Yurt
2026-02-20 13:00 - 14:30 | Yurt
Come and Join Chris in the Yurt in Orr lake to hear some traditional indigenous stories. Chris will share the address with all those who register. Happening on February 20th at 1 pm- 2:30 pm. limited space available in the Yurt.

Indigenous Pathways to a Healthy Diet
2026-02-20 13:00 - 17:00 | 110 Matchedash St. N., 110 Matchedash St., N, Orillia, ON, L3V 4T8, Canada
Indigenous Pathways to a Healthy Diet. Understanding and healing your body’s relationship with food
would like to announce we are partnering with Bridget Foley (Anung Kwe) of Babaamaazkonenjike Counselling Service to bring to you a 4 hour workshop to help address the dietary needs of indigenous people. Using a two eyed seeing approach to weight loss, Bridget shares knowledge on how to fuel the body to decrease cravings, achieve sustainable weight loss, and address self sabotaging thoughts and behaviors, while promoting balanced living that incorporates indigenous knowledge and teachings.
Date: February 20th
Time: 1pm to 5pm
Location: Orillia
Register for this workshop by clicking here –> Indigenous Pathways to a Healthy Diet FEB 20th 2026
Chi Miigwech and Baa Maa Pii.

Learning to bead loom- 3 Week series
2026-02-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-05 13:00 - 16:00 | 110 Matchedash Street N, Orillia (Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Match Hub), 110 Matchedash Street N, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 4T8, Canada
Come join Chris the Land based healing coordinator learning to bead loom. During this three week Series Chris will teach you the basics of bead looming. Running on February 26th, Mar 5th and March 12 2026 from 1 pm- 4pm. Limited spaces available.

Niimooshnaadaan Minadoo Waatsoowin = Feeding your Spirit
2026-03-06 13:00 - 15:00 | zoom or Orillia Hub
Good day,
We are excited to share that we will be hosting our 4th Annual “Niimooshnaadaan Minadoo Waatsoowin – Feeding Our Spirit Series! It will look a bit different as we will host it at our Orillia hub with limited spaces available and offer a virtual option this year.
On the 4 Fridays in March (6th, 13th, 20th and 27th) we will gather to grow our community bundles by listening to teachings of regional knowledge keepers and our Mamaway elder, from 1-3pm!
Light snack and refreshments will be available on site.
4 Week series:
Week 1 – 13 Grandmother Moon Teachings by Luana Shirt
Week 2 – 7 Grandfather Teachings by Chris Walser
Week 3 – Three Fires Sweat lodge Teachings by Hector Copegog (later start, 2:00-3:30pm)
Week 4 – Berry Fast Teachings by Waabkaniikwe King
NOTE: We will send out a confirmation email with more details related to the session you registered for leading up to the series but it is being hosted in person in Orillia.
Feel share with those who would benefit from attending the series!
See registration links below:
Week 1 – Virtual access: click here
Week 1 – In person registration: click here
Week 2 – Virtual access: click here
Week 2 – In person registration: Click here
Week 3 – Virtual access: click here
Week 3 – In person registration: click here
Week 4 – Virtual access: click here
Week 4 – In person registration: click here
