Workshops and Facilitators

A note regarding visiting artist and material fees. This is a letter meant to be reviewed by organizations, business, school teachers and school boards before asking any Indigenous person to make a presentation in your classroom/school/community.

"Please don't take offence to this, I beg you. Unfortunately, I have to write this response to several school boards and/or teachers each week for the past number of years.

In my most sincere voice, I really wish that materials were not so expensive, but we (Indigenous workshop facilitators) cannot afford to buy them for your students, drive them there, present them and teach about them for 3 hours. Workshops are 'work'.

We encounter a lot of educators that want us (Indigenous people) to share our cultures in the classroom. We recognize that it is an opportunity to advance understanding of our cultures and we want to do so...we really do. Most of us even do it for free at first - that is, until we realize that the gas is coming out of our grocery money.

Coming to your classroom costs us a lot; a day away from work or family, gas, food (and sometimes hotel) the craft materials and, most importantly, we are sharing the most intimate parts of our lives - our spirituality.

Collectively, Indigenous people are trying to help change the way Canadians understand us. Historically we have been undervalued as contributors to Canadian culture...Tell me, what has changed if we cannot even reconcile fees for our expenses? Why are we invited?

Educators are getting paid to be in the school and teach in the classroom - it seems unfair to ask us to do it for free or even to break even. Teaching your non-Indigenous children is not our obligation - we have our own communities, children and youth to take care of.

Please pass this along to your colleagues. I dare to speak on behalf of Indigenous women in the classrooms."

Nia:wen and kindest regards,

Dawn  Iehsthóserinon:nha  (She Keeps the Feathers)