Coming Events
Food, Land and Story – Youth Workshop
This is a 4-week Youth Workshop. Participants will meet at the Commons Farmhouse at 2:30 Saturday, March 28; April 4; April 11; and April 18, 2026.
Wahkohtowin: Food, Land and Story is a 4-week land-based teaching series designed for youth to reconnect with culture, land, and self-expression.
Through experiential workshops, participants explore:
Food as Spirit – Discover the cultural, spiritual, and relational aspects of food, and explore personal and communal food stories.
Carry Cedar Like an Aunty – Learn respectful harvesting practices, identify cedar as medicine, and develop a personal relationship with the land through hands-on guidance.
Rhythm and Poetry (Rap) – Use voice, rhythm, and creative expression to explore identity and storytelling.
Your Story Matters – Reflect on personal narratives, share stories safely, and integrate the teachings into everyday life.
Each session combines teaching, hands-on activities, and reflection to foster confidence, cultural knowledge, and a sense of belonging. The program is trauma-informed, grounded in Indigenous knowledge, and designed to empower youth to carry these teachings forward in a good way.
This is a FREE workshop hosted by Breaking Bannock with funding by Canadian Heritage - The Government of Canada.
Breaking Bannock gratefully accepts donations to keep offering programs - donations can be in cash brought to your class or e-transfers to breakingbannock@gmail.com
Aimee Chalifoux is an Indigenous literacy advocate, storyteller, and community leader with decades of experience supporting youth and adults in reconnecting with their culture, land, and voice. She blends traditional knowledge, land-based practices, and creative expression to create workshops that are experiential, relational, and healing. Aimee’s work focuses on fostering identity, confidence, and resilience in youth through storytelling, art, and cultural teachings rooted in food, land, and ceremony.
Voices of Courage: Women Standing Against Hate
A conversation with inspiring women leaders about confronting hate, uplifting community, and creating spaces of respect, belonging, and courage.
This is a FREE workshop hosted by Breaking Bannock with funding by Canadian Heritage - The Government of Canada.
Breaking Bannock gratefully accepts donations to keep offering programs - donations can be in cash brought to your class or e-transfers to breakingbannock@gmail.com
Aimee Chalifoux is an Indigenous literacy advocate, storyteller, and community leader with decades of experience supporting youth and adults in reconnecting with their culture, land, and voice. She blends traditional knowledge, land-based practices, and creative expression to create workshops that are experiential, relational, and healing. Aimee’s work focuses on fostering identity, confidence, and resilience through storytelling, art, and cultural teachings rooted in food, land, and ceremony.
Tsatassaya (Tracey) White is a curator, producer, event planner, and community mobilizer from the Snuneymuxw and Hupacasath Nations. A passionate advocate for Indigenous arts and culture, she creates community events and cultural programming that celebrate Indigenous creativity, storytelling, and dance. Through her work, Tsatassaya brings communities together and helps foster meaningful conversations about culture, connection, and reconciliation through the arts.
Elder Geraldine Manson, also known as C’tasi:a, elder of Snuneymuxw First Nation, married to Earl Manson. She presently works at Vancouver Island University as the “Elder-in-Resident”. C’tasi:a holds valuable teachings that were passed on to her by several Snuneymuxw Elders that mentored her over 17 years, teachings of Snuneymuxw lands that she refers to as “From the mountains to the rivers that flow into the Salish Sea” and what each contains. She was chosen to be their voice, eyes and legs when they can no longer do so, to continue to echo their words of history of Snuneymuxw. C’tasi:a has published three books that relate to the lands of Snuneymuxw. 1. Snuneymuxw Mulstimuxw, Sacred Place Names, their Travels and Stories. 2. Snuneymuxw History, Written in Places and Spaces, Ancestors’ Voices-An Echo in Time. 3. Plant Teachings from My Auntie. C’tasi:a is also a Elder Knowledge Keeper with the BC First Nation Justice Council and sits on the Snuneymuxw Matriarch Committee within her community.
SNUNEYMUXW FIRST NATION PROTOCOLS - The Spirit of Syeyutsus (Walking Together)
This is an Adult Workshop.
Sharing a meal together begins our journey of walking together. I will share sacred teachings called “Snu’uy’ulh” that have been handed down through our Ancestors. These are traditional laws governing respect, interconnection, and stewardship of the land and all living things. Nut’sa’ma:t (One heart, One Mind). This foundational principle dictates that everything is connected, and all actions must be taken with respect for the land, water, and future generations.
This is a FREE workshop hosted by Breaking Bannock with funding by Canadian Heritage - The Government of Canada.
Breaking Bannock gratefully accepts donations to keep offering programs - donations can be in cash brought to your class or e-transfers to breakingbannock@gmail.com
Geraldine Manson, also known as C’tasi:a, elder of Snuneymuxw First Nation, married to Earl Manson. She presently works at Vancouver Island University as the “Elder-in-Resident”.
C’tasi:a holds valuable teachings that were passed on to her by several Snuneymuxw Elders that mentored her over 17 years, teachings of Snuneymuxw lands that she refers to as “From the mountains to the rivers that flow into the Salish Sea” and what each contains. She was chosen to be their voice, eyes and legs when they can no longer do so, to continue to echo their words of history of Snuneymuxw.
Reading and Reconciliation: One Book, One Community - The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Wooly Dog
DOORS AT 5:00 pm
Speakers: Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun and co-author Liz-Hammond-Kaarremaa. Elder Geraldine Manson for opening protocol. Elder Lorna Johnny is serving fresh Bannock.
The Friends of the Gabriola Library have generously placed 12 books in our library, which are available for 7-day loan.
Tickets $30 each | all ages
If you're interested in purchasing tickets for this reading, please go to artsgabriola.ca/isle-of-the-arts-festival/
Pi’qwun Salmon with Qwustenuxun
Jared Qwustenuxun Williams is a proud Father, Husband, and Grandson, Indigenous Food Sovereignty Champion, Award Winning Writer, Accomplished Indigenous Chef, Indigenous Foods and Culture Educator, Indigenous Consultant, Hul’q’umi’num Language Speaker. Join him for a day of learning about Indigenous food technologies and food systems.
Bannock & Beyond: Sharing Stories and Traditions Through Fry Bread
A bannock making workshop facilitated by Lorna Johny, a proud Snuneymuxw and Cowichan nation member. Lorna has been perfecting the creation of the traditional indigenous dishes Bannock and Scow since she was a child.
Two Books, One Community
We are so pleased to announce the recommended reading in advance of the festival’s inaugural event, and the first of three Breaking Bannock – Building Bridges happenings on the IoTA roster. You know it as One Book, One Community, and this year, we introduce it as Two Books, One Community!
All the Little Monsters: How I Learned to Live With Anxiety, by David A. Robertson
Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation, by the late Honourable Murray Sinclair
We are thrilled to present Gabriola’s own Shelagh Rogers, a continuing One Book supporter, and David A. Robertson as the keynote speakers at this event.
Become a Volunteer
Interested in getting involved? Join our volunteer team and help make a difference in our community!
Email us at breakingbannock@gmail.com