Presented in partnership with North York Arts

Arts as Medicine is a half-day workshop that focuses on both traditional and contemporary explorations of the relationship between health, wellness, and art from an Indigenous perspective.

Please be aware that if you have any specific allergies or respiratory concerns, a smudging ceremony will take place during the workshop.

Joanne Okimawininew Dallaire LLD is proudly Cree, her ancestry is Omushkego from Attawapiskat and Mattice Ontario and Hull Quebec, calling Toronto home. Joanne has dedicated her career to counselling, advising and educating on Indigenous concerns, empowering and capacity building and advocating for change in terms of broader societal relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Her over 30-year social service career has contributed to transforming the lives of individuals, and the culture of agencies and the recognition and respect for Indigenous people, concerns and contributions within mainstream society. Joanne facilitates and consults in the not for profit sector and Toronto District School Board, around hiring practices, staff training, group facilitation and policy and procedures development. She sits on several councils and committees. Joanne received an Honorary Doctor of Laws in the Community Service Faculty at Ryerson University in recognition of her life"s work, the Minaake Award for Leadership, Herbert H Carnegie Amazing Aces Award for Courage, the City of Toronto Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards - Aboriginal Affairs Award.

She sits as the Elder for Ryerson University, Ryerson"s Aboriginal Education Council, and the Truth and Reconciliation directive for 10 years. "Her presence on this council is essential to its ability to work as a cohesive, respectful body responsible for the infusion of Indigenous curriculum, worldviews and overall presence in Ryerson University as a whole. It is in no way an exaggeration to say the progress that is envisioned for Ryerson University in terms of the mandate of the Indigenous Education Council would not be possible without the support, guidance and active engagement of Joanne."

Joanne's approaches to working with individuals as well as small and large groups are not only comprehensive but creative, effective and unique. Her work has transformed lives and improved relations between people and the community. She openly shares her own life's journey through all forms of abuse, intergenerational trauma from Residential Schools and finding her profound sense of self.

Veronica Johnny is a two-spirit, multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist. She is Cree/French Metis on her mother"s side and Dene/Scottish First Nation on her father"s side. Veronica is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation; was born and raised in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and presently lives in Northern Ontario. From humble musical beginnings, Ms. Johnny has emerged as a dynamic force in the Canadian music and arts industry, working as a performer, producer, manager, promoter, writer, arts educator, workshop facilitator, entrepreneur, youth mentor, cultural knowledge keeper and Cree language advocate. She is a singer/songwriter, contemporary Indigenous hand-drummer and also the front woman, vocalist and manager of The Johnnys, a high-energy rock"n"roll band she founded with husband Dave Johnny. Veronica has become a seasoned performer as both solo artist and a member of groups, amassed studio experience on either side of the mixing console, manages several artists, and facilitates workshops for hundreds of youth, each year.