The OMA invites you to our monthly Lunch and Learn Talking Circles with OMA Elder-in-Residence Elder Shishigo Gijig, occurring every last Friday of the month beginning December 12, 2024 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. Lunch and Learn sessions are free to attend, open for OMA members and non-members and will be hosted virtually over Zoom.
Co-facilitated by OMA Director-at-Large Audrey Rochette and Elder Shishigo, these events will involve teaching stories on reconciliation, group conversations and sharing of wellness and support resources. The OMA continues its commitment towards positive change in the museum sector, knowledge-sharing and the development, engagement and participation in reconciliation frameworks.
About:
Elder Shishigo Gijig is Anishinaabe from Wabadowgan/Whitesand First Nation. Fluent in Ojibway, she has extensive experience working in the Toronto area, including as an Indigenous docent at the Royal Ontario Museum, a facilitator for the Ministry of Education, and Reconciliation discussions and sharing circles within Post secondary education in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Her roles have also included community-based research, cultural mentorship, and advisory positions for Indigenous arts initiatives. She is currently a Guest Lecturer within the Indigenous Studies Program at the University of Toronto and contributes as a guiding Elder in the urban Indigenous community, focusing on reconciliation.
Elder Shishigo is a residential school survivor who has shared her story of hope, survival, resilience, and courage. A proud grandmother and mother, she is a spiritual woman who guides her community through teachings and provides a safe space for dialogue and storytelling. Her advocacy includes promoting Indigenous rights, cultural preservation, and leading community healing initiatives and educational workshops.