Engaging Canadian Seniors
Programme
This page is updated as information becomes available.
Workshop 1 – Saturday, April 15, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET on Zoom
COMPLETED.
The Power of Food: How Recipes Preserve Memories with GIULIA DE GASPERI
The most profound and significant memory can be found within the simplest recipe. We will share recipes that are meaningful to us, and we will learn how even very few ingredients can hold the memory we cherish the most. Please bring a recipe which is linked to memories.
Giulia De Gasperi is an editor and non-fiction writer who focuses on issues of inclusivity and well-being.
Workshop 2 – Saturday, May 13, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET on Zoom
COMPLETED.
The Many Definitions of Family: Reflecting and Journalling with CHRISTOPHER DIRADDO
Family is such an important part of our culture; it plays a large role in the stories we tell. But which family stories are not being told? And what does it mean to be a part of a family? How do we create honest depictions of those we share our lives with? In this workshop, we will reflect on what makes a family and explore what more can be done to expand that representation.
Montrealer Christopher DiRaddo is the author of the novels The Geography of Pluto and The Family Way. He is also the founder and host of The Violet Hour Reading Series & Book Club.
Workshop 3 – Friday, June 16, 2023, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET on Zoom
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Indigenous-Italian-Canadian Connections: Reflecting
and Sharing with PAOLO FRASCÀ & ANGELA NARDOZI
Paolo Frascà and Angela Nardozi, co-directors of the Indigenous-Italian-Canadian Connections Project at the University of Toronto, will consider the following questions. What is the relationship of Italians to colonialism in Canada, the United States, and beyond? What are the responsibilities that Italians must honour to pursue better relations with Indigenous Peoples? What might Nation-to-Nation relationships between Italian and various Indigenous Nations look like?
This discussion is inspired by the work of scholars such as John Borrows (Anishinaabe), who teaches on the contemporary value of the Guswenta/Two-Row Wampum, an agreement between Settlers and Indigenous Peoples forged at Niagara in 1764 to live in peace and friendship while not interfering in one another’s path. The conversation is further guided by Indigenous initiatives that advocate for Land Back and for a return to treaties. We are also inspired by the work of the Hon. Frank Iacobucci on Truth and Reconciliation and on Indigenous representation in the justice system.
Paolo Frascà was born in Calabria and moved to Toronto at thirteen. He lives in Toronto / Tsi Tkaronto, Treaty 13. He teaches Italian language and culture, sexuality studies, and Italian-Canadian studies at the University of Toronto. He is active in the community through initiatives such as the Endangered Language Alliance of Toronto and Italian-Canadians for Black Lives.
Angela Nardozi Ph.D., OCT., is a guest on Turtle Island, with both sides of her family originating in Italy. You can find out more about her coaching, consulting, and work in Indigenous education at www.angelanardozi.com.
Workshop 4 – Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET on Zoom
Registration link coming soon.
Queer Spaces in Canada as Inspiration for Creativity: An Intergenerational and Cross-Gender Approach with VINCENZO PIETROPAOLO & LIANA CUSMANO
Vincenzo Pietropaolo and Liana Cusmano are the creators of the exhibit Unveiling the Queer-Italian-Canadian Experience, a literary and photographic collaboration.
Vincenzo Pietropaolo has published over a dozen books that explore social issues. He is a contributing editor at POV Point of View Magazine, and a member of The Writers' Union of Canada.
Liana Cusmano (they/them/iel/lu) is a poet, spoken word performer and arts educator. They are the author of the novel Catch and Release (2022). Twice Montreal Slam Champion, Liana is also Fiction Editor at carte blanche and Associate Editor at Accenti Magazine.
Workshop 5 – Friday, September 15, 2023, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET on Zoom
Registration link coming soon.
Crossing the Line: Writing About Coercive Control with HEATHER McGUIRE
Through the documentation of our stories, we can develop clarity of our lived experiences. In this workshop, we will explore writing about difficult topics and identifying problematic behaviours. A survivor of domestic abuse, workshop leader Heather McGuire will share knowledge gained from experience and research.
Heather McGuire is a short story writer and the author of the forthcoming memoir Living as a Ghost in My Marriage.
Workshop 6 – Date & Time TBD
Registration link coming soon.
Finding the Funny with CAROLYN BENNETT
Carolyn Bennett is a comedian, a writer for television and film, and a speaker on substance abuse and recovery.
Workshop 7 – Date & Time TBD
Registration link coming soon.
Writing Away the Pain: Reflecting and Sharing with ELIO IANNACCI & LICIA CANTON
Elio Iannacci is a journalist, poet and active member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Licia Canton is a short story writer who leads healing through writing workshops.
Workshop 8 – Date & Time TBD
Registration link coming soon.
The Memoir: Collaborating across Cultures and Time Zones with JANE CALLEN
Jane Callen is a short story writer and novelist. She has recently completed the memoir Tango on the Waves, about the struggles of a Tango Maestro in Milano during Covid 19.
Workshop 9 – Date & Time TBD
Registration link coming soon.
Finding Your Voice: Words, Images and Performance with ANNA CAMILLERI
Anna Camilleri has been working with performance, image, and text for 25 years. Her book publications have been recognized with distinctions by the LAMBDA Literary Foundation, Association of Independent Publishers, and the American Library of Congress. Anna is founding Artistic Co-Director of ReDefine Arts (established in 2005 as Red Dress Productions).
Workshop 10 – Date & Time TBD
Registration link coming soon.
We Are Here: Coming Together Despite Our Differences with CELESTE TURNER
Celeste Turner is the LGBTQ2+ Support Coordinator at the Community Health Centre in Niagara Falls and a member of the Alliance's Rainbow Communities Advisory Group.
*Open to Canadian seniors and Canadian seniors living abroad. Limited to approximately 10 participants per workshop.
The project is made possible through the financial support of Employment and Social Development Canada as part of the New Horizons Seniors Program.
