On a bright, warm day in early September, members gathered at the First Nations House of Learning for our first official cluster meeting: Engaging in a Good Way With Each Other. Through the windows, the sun illuminated the leafy arboretum that encircles the FNHL Longhouse. We spent the morning welcoming members in and greeting each other over coffee and baked treats.
After settling in, our resident Elder, Auntie Rosie, led us in an opening circle to begin our day. One by one, each member introduced themselves in a relational way. Each of us shared where we come from in a way that honours our ancestors—by acknowledging how they are an indivisible part of who we are and what we do.
Our circle concluded, and we eased into our first question of the day: “Who are you?” With this question, we reflected on our identity, our background, our homes, and anything else that makes us who we are.
Then, we began to create. Using fancy markers on circles of paper, we drew our own conceptualizations of our answers to the question. It was emphasized that there were no rules, limitations, or “right” ways to create—just start putting things on paper and see what you can come up with. After taking the time to create, we went around and talked about what we drew and what it meant to us. We shared stories about ourselves, our family, our histories, our roles, what connects us to the land, our values, and more.
While we were making our art, we chatted freely about whatever we wanted. We talked about our day, our families, our interests, and got to know each other without the structure of a prompt. When it came time to share our artwork, we had created an environment among ourselves that already felt safe, supportive, and welcoming. Members began to open up, sharing the deep and personal meanings behind their art.
After taking a break to share a meal and nourish our bodies together, we repeated this “Think, Create, Share” process with two more questions: “What inspires you?” and “What future do we want to build together?”
We closed the day in circle, outside under the shade of the arboretum. With the warm, late-summer breeze wrapping around us as we spoke and listened, we reflected on the day, on what we shared, and on our gratitude for being able to get to know each other in ways we did not expect.