1st meeting back at Concordia in 18 months. Yay!
President Judy opened the meeting...
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work today is the land traditionally used by the Hoaudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Neutral people. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws and philosphies of the Indigenous people with whom we share this land today.
The Haudenosaunee languages belong to a family of 16 North American languages spoken around Canada and the United States. Most of the languages have been lost after falling out of use over time however those of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy including: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, have survived as well as the Tuscarora and some Wyandot. Those that are dwindling in use are being rekindled with the help of community Elders and the younger generation. For most languages the number of fluent speakers has gone down but individual nations are working to restore their languages and keep them alive. The Mohawk language is the healthiest with 3000 fluent speakers spread out in Canada and the United States. Cayuga and Oneida is in decline but elders and the younger generation are working together to revive the languages. Onondaga is spoken mostly in Canada while Seneca is spoken mostly in the United States. Those that do speak the languages are creating programs to protect their language and at the same time preserve the traditional knowledge.
Announcements
Catch the Ace Lottery is delayed by AGCO paperwork….again
Help is needed to sell and install flags for Remembrance Day
Alex Pavlov is requesting blankets for the shelter where he works, Judy is going to Organize
Guests: Simon Fallows and Mario Peretti
Speaker : Introduced by Neil Aitchison
David Connolly
David is a formally trained Actor, Dancer and Singer. He has worked on Broadway and across North America before returning here to the Region. What many people don’t know is that David is a double amputee below the knees. For most of his life he has kept this a secret, but the 1st 4 years of his life were spent in the Shriners Hospital in Montreal. David asks us all to look at the disabled with a “different lense”. To see them as people first, with many abilities and a few things they do “differently than others”
David is part of Drayton Entertainment and is the Director the new Drayton Youth Academy on Parkside Dr. in Waterloo. Opening on Dec. 1st, the academy offers courses in Acting, singing and dancing for those aged 1 to 101 (pre natal courses coming soon) . The idea is to awaken and inspire everyone’s artistic side. And programs will be available for anyone who wants to participate, regardless of financial status.
For more info, head over to the website
