© Canadian Roots 2009
Centre for Aboriginal Initiatives
University of Toronto
Borden Building North, 2nd floor
563 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5S 19R

PAST EXCHANGES

Canadian Roots Northern Ontario Exchange: Summer 2009

The Northern Ontario Exchange trip begins with an orientation in Toronto and travels through Peterborough, Golden Lake, Algonquin Park, Temagami, North Bay, and Cochrane. After a beautiful train journey on the Polar Express we will arrive in Moosonee, and later Moose Factory. We will travel to remote communities in Northern Ontario and have the unique opportunity spend time in this beautiful part of Canada.

On our road trip, we will be hosted in both urban and remote communities. In these communities we will meet and engage with youth and community leaders while creating spaces for informal and honest dialogue. We will be introduced to innovative social projects, receive teachings, explore community challenges and successes, and get a feel for the different realities of First Nations communities in Ontario. The road trip will include billeting in community centres with youth from our host communities as well as camping and a stay at the Moose Factory Eco-Lodge. During the trip we will explore ideas of Identity, Self Determination, Historical Narrative and Storytelling, Truth and Reconciliation, Art and Music, Community Healing, and Sustainable Development.

Logistics and Cost

The trip will run from Tuesday, June 4th to Sunday, June 14th, 2009. It will include a two-day orientation in Toronto, three days of road-trip style community visits, and six days hosted within First Nations communities in Moose Factory and Moosonee. This six-day portion of the trip aims to immerse participants in a particular community and offer the time and space for relationships and partnerships to develop. The exchange will conclude with a feast at the Friendship Centre in Toronto.

The program cost is currently $600.00 per participant which includes all food, transport and accommodations. This subsidized rate comes from the support of our community partners. However, we understand that this fee can be prohibitive, and needs-based scholarships will be available. Please do not let finances prevent you from applying (we mean it!).

This trip will be facilitated by Karen Isaacs, a participant on Canadian Roots' inaugural Exchange and guided by Paul Carl from Queen's University's Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre. If you have any questions about this trip, please contact Karen at karendisaacs@gmail.com, to apply for this trip, click here

Bios

Karen Isaacs
Karen, 23, has been actively combining life as a university student and an educator for the past five years. As a student at The New School in New York City, Karen studies Community Development, bringing with her experience in International Development Studies at McGill University. She is currently working as a facilitator in Without Walls, a program she co-founded in 2008, that brings democratic informal education into formal school settings. Both in Without Walls, and as a leader in Hashomer Hatzair, a Socialist-Zionist movement, Karen combines the exploration of personal and cultural identity with an active engagement in critical social issues. Karen lives in a Jewish commune in Brooklyn, New York, and was thrown back into the challenges of Canadian society as a participant in the first Canadian Roots exchange in February 2009.

Paul Carl
Paul was born and raised in the 1000 Islands area east of Kingston, Ontario. He is of Algonquin and Oneida ancestry.
Paul is considered a traditional man by his communuty and dances as a Traditional Male Dancer. He also makes various native crafts and art. Paul has been involved with the local community for many years, sitting on many committees and boards such as the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre. Currently he works as the Office Assistant at Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre at Queen's University.