10/21/2026
update from the Oshawa Library.
Indigenous Drumming
McLaughlin / Thursday / November 5 / 6-7 pm
Explore rhythm, music, and the spirit of the drum while learning about its important role in Indigenous cultures as the “heartbeat of Mother Earth.” In Partnership with the Regional Municipality of Durham. Family program.
Register here: https://oshlib.bibliocommons.com/events/6a68f543f4e5db3d00c4e096
Karuara: People of the River – Film Screening and Discussion
McLaughlin / Tuesday / November 10 / 5:30-7:30 pm
Join us for an evening about Indigenous communities fighting for water rights and protections. We will screen the documentary Karuara, People of the River, which follows a brave Kukama Indigenous woman, Mari Luz Canaquiri, and her community in the Peruvian Amazon as they stand-up to powerful interests to protect their river and the magic spirit universe below, winning legal personhood for the Marañón River in 2024. The case marked the first time a Peruvian court has recognized the rights of nature and Mari Luz won the prestigious Goldman Environmental prize last year for her work (known as the “Green Nobel”). The film explores the Kukama’s relationship with the river, which they call the “ɨa” (ee-ah), or the center, life force and mother of their universe, was produced collaboratively with Kukama Indigenous journalists, artists, elders and filmmakers holding key creative positions.
Closer to home, the Alderville First Nation Council unanimously passed a resolution last year recognizing the legal personhood status of Pemadeshkodeyong (Rice Lake) near Peterborough, a historic outcome culminating two years of work by the Council, community elders, and knowledge keepers. The people of Alderville Nation have lived on this territory for some 10,000 years and the lake has been fundamental to their lives and livelihoods, including providing manoomin (wild rice), a critical food source. Mounting challenges to the sustainability of the lake, including overfishing and pollution, prompted the Alderville Council to pass this resolution and establish Canada's first Guardian's Council for the lake.
We will screen Karuara, People of the River followed by a discussion between the film’s co-director, Stephanie Boyd, and Alderville Chief Taynar Simpson about these cases of Indigenous water protection and the importance of expanding Indigenous rights and the rights of nature in the face of climate change and other threats to our shared environment and ways of life.
Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/karuara-people-of-the-river-film-screening-and-discussion
Miigwetch 😊
Explore rhythm, music, and the spirit of the drum while learning about its important role in Indigenous cultures as the “heartbeat of Mother Earth.” In Partnership with the Regional Municipality of Durham. Family program.
