- Canadian Study Week 2024 in Reggio Emilia, Italy
“We are part of an ecosystem…our earthly journey is a journey made together with the environment, with nature, with the cosmos…This is where the great web of our lives exists.”
Loris Malaguzzi
Our intentions for this two-day gathering are that participants develop / renew / redefine relationship with/in the network of the living earth, have a rich experience documenting and creating documentation, engage in communicating meaningfully in some of “the hundred languages”, and gain experience having and being a pedagogical companion. It is an ambitious set of optimistic intentions, but congruent with ORA’s mission and vision, and with the overall intention that is guiding our Piazza ORA series with Tiziana Filippini: to recognize that we are part of the network of nature – that we all belong.
The Southern Ontario Network’s “Nurturing the Seeds” gathering will take place on April 26-27 organized in two settings. Although this gathering has been organized in the Southern Ontario Network, everyone is welcome. On the first day (Saturday), we will gather at Planting Seeds of Hope (plantingseedsofhope.ca), near Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, about 30 km east of Hamilton. This former monocrop farmland has been transformed into a thriving, biodiverse landscape teeming with life, and has fostered a deep and lasting connection between children and the natural world. With guidance from experienced healers and educators, participants will be encouraged to cultivate gratitude, recognize the interconnectedness of all living beings, and deepen or renew their relationship with the living earth.
Our guides for the day include Jackie Ryan, founder and executive director of Children’s Lands Canada and Planting Seeds of Hope, Dr. Johanne McCarthy, Onondaga Nation, Beaver Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and a licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctor, and Suzie Miller, an Indigenous teacher who has been working to support children through meaningful relationship with/in nature. A significant part of the day will be spent outdoors. Participants will document their experience and learning throughout the day.
The next day, we will be together at Niwasa Early Learning and Child Care Centre in Hamilton where we will have the opportunity to create (in small groups) documentation of the previous day’s experience and learning (with support from educators who are ORA members with lengthy experience working with documentation), and to see and respond to the documentation of the other groups. Niwasa has been connected with Jackie’s “Planting Seeds of Hope” project for many years, and the educators have been weaving Indigenous teachings and values together with the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Participants will have an opportunity to see this evident in the classrooms. There will also be an opportunity for participants to communicate in other expressive languages, with the support of artists (who are engaged in the Arts for All project coordinated by Victoria Long, all of whom are participating in Piazza ORA),
engaging with materials connected to the setting we were in on the previous day.
Day One will take place to a large extent outdoors, so participants must dress for the weather. We are planning to leave no harmful traces, so you will be asked to bring plates and cutlery and refillable water bottles. Registration will be limited to 27 participants, so we recommend that you act soon. We will have an online orientation prior to the event. Registrants will also be provided with detailed information about what to wear and what to bring to this event, as well as directions to the host locations. There will be an online orientation gathering during the week of April 14, in addition to communication via e-mail. We are certain this event will be not only memorable, but transformational.
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer – Braiding Sweetgrass, p. 124
$250.00
Registration closes on April 9. All registrations must be accompanied by payment. We understand that there may be reason to cancel after registering.
Registration for this event is limited to a small group. We will create a waiting list if response exceeds our capacity.
The Ontario Reggio Association reserves the right to cancel this event if a minimum number of participants have not registered or for other unforeseen reasons. That decision will be made by April 10. In that event, all monies paid for registration will be refunded. ORA will not be responsible for any other costs incurred.
The first day will involve significant time outdoors, and participants will have to dress suitably for weather and ground conditions. There will be an orientation session on Zoom the week of April 14th, where greater detail will be provided.
On the Saturday, participants are asked to bring a sandwich to augment the soup that will be provided. Full lunch will be provided on Sunday. In keeping with our commitment to reducing harmful impact, we also ask that you bring your own bowl, plates, cutlery, water bottle, and mug.
