Teachings from the Land

• Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
• Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Location: High Park (exact location will be shared upon successful registration)

High Park is the largest park within the city of Toronto. This land is home to one of the few remaining Black Oak Savannas, which has cultural significance for many Indigenous peoples. Carolynne Crawley will guide a slow-moving walk to create opportunities to connect with the land, waters, and beings through sensory activities. Teachings will be shared about the importance of being in a good relationship with creation through an Indigenous lens, along with the need for reconciliation with the Earth. Carolynne will create opportunities to share cultural land connections with one another through sharing circles. This walk is suitable for children six years of age and above. Children are the responsibility of their parents or caregivers. This event will take place on woodland walkways and will not be easily accessible to strollers and mobility devices. Please dress for the weather as the event will happen rain or shine. In the event of thunderstorms or high winds, the event will be postponed.

Suitable for children aged 6 and up, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Please dress for the weather. The event will go ahead rain or shine, except in case of thunderstorms or high winds. Trails are not accessible to strollers or mobility devices.

Facilitator: Carolynne Crawley, founder of Msit No’kmaq and cofounder of Turtle Protectors, is a woman of Mi’kmaw, Black and Irish ancestry and is from Mi’kma’ki territory, also known today as Nova Scotia. Tkaronto has been her home for the past 50 years since she was a young child. Carolynne grew up with a deep relationship with Mother Earth that was fostered through her upbringing and cultural land-based teachings. She is dedicated to social and environmental justice and focuses her work on reconcili-action with the land. Carolynne is passionate about reconnecting people with the land, waters, and all beings, as there is no separation between us. She is a Forest Therapy Guide and was a Mentor and Trainer in the practice for five years. She is a Holistic Nutritionist, Storyteller, Public Speaker, a Co-Producer of a documentary, a Facilitator of the Blanket Exercise, and a member of the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle. Carolynne also worked in food security for 12 years and previously worked as a Child & Youth Worker for two decades. Carolynne currently leads programs that support the development and strengthening of healthy and reciprocal relationships that focus upon reconcile-action with Mother Earth.

Registration required. University of Toronto students, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty are welcome. Partners and family members (including chosen family members) who are co-caregivers with U of T students, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty are also welcome to attend. If you have any access needs to ensure your full participation in this event, please contact the Family Care Office and we will make appropriate arrangements.