WAYF is back with more fabulous FREE events
WAYF Presents Name the Tree – September 17, 2023
WAYF Presents Name the Tree – September 17, 2023
Date & Time:
Sunday September 17th, 2023
10am-11:30am
Cedarvale Park
Meet at St. Clair West station (Heath Street exit)
Join us for a walk to explore and learn about tree identification. We will be learning about both native and invasive species. We will discuss the various features of trees that can help us identify them. Each species has a unique combination of features including the characteristics of the bark, the leaf shape, size and colour, as well as flowers, fruits and more. By understanding the native ecology of the area participants will gain an appreciation of the complex dynamics and the severe impacts of changes made to the local biodiversity.
Cedarvale Park is one of the top ravines to explore in Toronto containing a trail that leads through a wetland and Mulberry bushes that grow in several areas. The trails have been regenerated with trees planted by many volunteers. The park provides a natural and accessible corridor to those living in the borough of York where no other ravine trails exist.
This event will be open to everyone, however, we will also prioritize those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.
Spots are limited.
There will be a $10 honoraria available to those who are registered to the event.
Link to register: https://forms.gle/qYBYRT34wDD1f3bB6
In partnership with Park People and the City of Toronto
Facebook: @ParkPeopleCA & @TorontoPFR
@Park_People & @TorontoPFR & @TOtrees
@parkpple & @TorontoPFR
#InTOtheRavines, #TORavines, #TorontoPFR
Sunday September 17th, 2023
10am-11:30am
Cedarvale Park
Meet at St. Clair West station (Heath Street exit)
Join us for a walk to explore and learn about tree identification. We will be learning about both native and invasive species. We will discuss the various features of trees that can help us identify them. Each species has a unique combination of features including the characteristics of the bark, the leaf shape, size and colour, as well as flowers, fruits and more. By understanding the native ecology of the area participants will gain an appreciation of the complex dynamics and the severe impacts of changes made to the local biodiversity.
Cedarvale Park is one of the top ravines to explore in Toronto containing a trail that leads through a wetland and Mulberry bushes that grow in several areas. The trails have been regenerated with trees planted by many volunteers. The park provides a natural and accessible corridor to those living in the borough of York where no other ravine trails exist.
This event will be open to everyone, however, we will also prioritize those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.
Spots are limited.
There will be a $10 honoraria available to those who are registered to the event.
Link to register: https://forms.gle/qYBYRT34wDD1f3bB6
In partnership with Park People and the City of Toronto
Facebook: @ParkPeopleCA & @TorontoPFR
@Park_People & @TorontoPFR & @TOtrees
@parkpple & @TorontoPFR
#InTOtheRavines, #TORavines, #TorontoPFR
Questions? Want to register? Email the WAYF team: [email protected]
Stay tuned for more exciting events
Empowerment with critical knowledge and radical self-love
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Twitter - @WAYFCollective
Instagram - @wayf_zinefair
Twitter - @WAYFCollective
Previous Workshops
Date & Time:
Saturday, August 18th, 2023
10am-11:30am
Humber River Recreational Trail
Meet at Old Mills Stations
(Rain date: August 20th)
Join us for a walk to explore and learn about tree identification. We will be learning about both native and invasive species. We will discuss the various features of trees that can help us identify them. Each species has a unique combination of features including the characteristics of the bark, the leaf shape, size and colour, as well as flowers, fruits and more. By understanding the native ecology of the area participants will gain an appreciation of the complex dynamics and the severe impacts of changes made to the local biodiversity.
Humber River Recreational Trail (Kings Mill Park) home to a rare wetland ecosystem containing diverse migrating bird populations with a waterway containing over 60 species of fishes. the Humber Marshes is one of the last remaining river mouth marshes in the city. Its historical significance traces the ancient Toronto Carrying Place Trail, used by First Nations people as a trade route. The site contains mural paintings honouring Philip Cote, Traditional Wisdom Keeper and artist who is member of the Moose Deer Point First Nation.
This event will be open to everyone, however, we will also prioritize those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.
Spots are limited.
There will be a $10 honoraria available to those who are registered to the event.
Link to register: forms.gle/eS1T8obCNcrCFRJk9
In partnership with Park People and the City of Toronto
Facebook: @ParkPeopleCA & @TorontoPFR
@Park_People & @TorontoPFR & @TOtrees
@parkpple & @TorontoPFR
#InTOtheRavines, #TORavines, #TorontoPFR
Saturday, August 18th, 2023
10am-11:30am
Humber River Recreational Trail
Meet at Old Mills Stations
(Rain date: August 20th)
Join us for a walk to explore and learn about tree identification. We will be learning about both native and invasive species. We will discuss the various features of trees that can help us identify them. Each species has a unique combination of features including the characteristics of the bark, the leaf shape, size and colour, as well as flowers, fruits and more. By understanding the native ecology of the area participants will gain an appreciation of the complex dynamics and the severe impacts of changes made to the local biodiversity.
Humber River Recreational Trail (Kings Mill Park) home to a rare wetland ecosystem containing diverse migrating bird populations with a waterway containing over 60 species of fishes. the Humber Marshes is one of the last remaining river mouth marshes in the city. Its historical significance traces the ancient Toronto Carrying Place Trail, used by First Nations people as a trade route. The site contains mural paintings honouring Philip Cote, Traditional Wisdom Keeper and artist who is member of the Moose Deer Point First Nation.
This event will be open to everyone, however, we will also prioritize those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.
Spots are limited.
There will be a $10 honoraria available to those who are registered to the event.
Link to register: forms.gle/eS1T8obCNcrCFRJk9
In partnership with Park People and the City of Toronto
Facebook: @ParkPeopleCA & @TorontoPFR
@Park_People & @TorontoPFR & @TOtrees
@parkpple & @TorontoPFR
#InTOtheRavines, #TORavines, #TorontoPFR
Financial consciousness and funding our soul - December 19th, 2021 at 3pm
In this workshop, we reflect on how we learned about money from the past and what our relationship is with money. We explore our values and beliefs as well as ask ourselves some challenging or difficult questions of our ideas around money and finances.
How to Make Mental Health Racially Accessible? - Monday December 20th at 7pm
In this workshop, we examine mental health within the context of a decolonial framework. What does mental health mean when we speak of it within the context of racial issues and racial justice? How do various racial groups approach the topic of mental health?
* These events prioritize those who identify as Trans/non-binary/queer or allies
If you require an ASL interpreter, please let us know before December 5th 2021
In this workshop, we reflect on how we learned about money from the past and what our relationship is with money. We explore our values and beliefs as well as ask ourselves some challenging or difficult questions of our ideas around money and finances.
How to Make Mental Health Racially Accessible? - Monday December 20th at 7pm
In this workshop, we examine mental health within the context of a decolonial framework. What does mental health mean when we speak of it within the context of racial issues and racial justice? How do various racial groups approach the topic of mental health?
* These events prioritize those who identify as Trans/non-binary/queer or allies
If you require an ASL interpreter, please let us know before December 5th 2021
The Decolonize Gender project is a series of panel discussions and/or workshops that invite racialized facilitators (Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour descent) to enter a discussion on gender with other racialized trans people. The purpose of this 5 part series is to foster ways of approaching gender and tran-ness beyond the western framework; and aims to allow racialized trans people to have opportunities of developing a sense of identity and community beyond western notions of gender.
Decolonizing Gender Speaker Series #5 with Pree
Friday, February 26th, 2021 at 7 pm EST
Pree (they/them) is an artist/educator currently based in Tkaronto, originally from Tiohtià:ke. They're a child of immigrant settlers from Punjab. Pree will be leading a zine making workshop on the topic of self-care!
Decolonizing Gender Speaker Series #4 with Bilal Baig
Friday Jan 15, 2021 at 7pm EST
Bio: Bilal Baig (they/them) is a queer, trans-feminine, Muslim playwright, performer and workshop facilitator. Bilal's first play, Acha Bacha, had its world premiere in 2018 and has been published by Playwrights Canada Press. Other written work in development includes Kainchee Lagaa, Kitne Saare Laloo Yahan Pey Hain, and I want that free mind! Bilal is a core team member at non-profits such as Story Planet and Rivers of Hope, where they develop and facilitate workshops for youth in under-resourced neighbourhoods in Toronto focused on creative writing and literacy (Story Planet), and combatting Islamophobia through the arts (Rivers of Hope).
Decolonizing Gender Speaker Series #3 with Tyler
Dec. 4, 2020 @ 7pm EST
Tyler is a multidisciplinary performance artist. Their art emphasizes marginalized voices that intersect mixed-race and queer identity. Exploring these themes through various projects: Photography (Self In Response to Influence of Violence & Community, Light Our Bodies, and Fruit Basket ), Visual Art (Self in Response, Breath On One Land, and But When), Community Arts (It’s All Queer Pride (2018-2021)), Burlesque (as Tygr Willy (BoylesqueTO, HausBoat, Passion Fruit)), and Theatre (Hummingbird, Mx.).
Decolonizing Gender Speaker Series #2 with Ravyn Wng
November 13th @ 7PM EST
Ravyn (she/her) is an African, Bermudian, Mohawk, 2Spirit, queer and transcendent individual. Ravyn aims to challenge mainstream arts and dance spaces by sharing her stories while continuing to create opportunities and platforms for marginalized LGBTIQQ2S people with a focus on African/black communities. Ravyn is a co-founder of ILL NANA/ DiverseCity Dance Company, the artistic director of OVA and part of Black Lives Matter Toronto Steering Committee
IG: @ravynwngz
Decolonize Gender Speakers Series #1 with Carrington
Friday, 30 October 2020 from 19:00 EDT-20:30 EDT (7-8:30pm EDT)
Carrington is a neurodiverse, Two-Spirit, plus size fashionista. They are Black Scotian & Mi’kmaw storyteller and will be providing Indigenous perspectives on decolonizing gender.
IG: @ceyonce_
Building Allyship with Racialized Trans Community Members
Thurs., May 16, 2019, 6:30 to 8:30 pm - Located at SKETCH Working Arts at 180 Shaw Street, Lower Level
Make Your Own Zine with Althea Balmes
Thursday, April 11, 2019
An assuring zine making workshop for IBPOC
This workshop is open to Indigenous, Black and People of Colour interested in creating or collaborating on pocket zines. Its small size makes it a useful tool for organizing, mobilizing or declaring your love for someone! In this workshop we’ll create pocket zines that focus on self-healing, affirmations and words of wisdom, perfect for times when you feel like your world is out of control. Just take this zine out and remember, you have a loving community who supports you.
So let’s connect, share our resources with each other and start creating a self-affirmation pocket guide to feeling okay!
Awaken Your Comic Sense! w/ Loretta Miauw
Saturday, March 2, 2019
In this workshop we are going to slow down, get into our bodies and senses to explore diasporic identities through drawing comics!
Do diasporic identities have a texture?
A colour?
A sound?
A taste?
An Image?
You will take away a range of images which could be used as a starting point for your own comic meditation on topics of class, race, trauma, diaspora, asian identity and migration.
About Loretta Miauw:
Loretta Miauw is a second-generation chinese-australian comic artist and facilitator based in Tkaronto. She self-publishes the comic series ‘Dreams of Loss & Transformation’, a collection of true dream comics and ‘Sweat & Tears’, a fictionalised auto-bio comic about trauma, healing and breakups. She loves drawing people in nature.
How to Care and Respect Our Bodies with Asam Ahmad
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
This workshop breaks down the ways in which body policing and fatphobia affects the mental, physical and sociological health of all bodies, in particular bodies of size, fat bodies, and bodies that do not fit the “norm.” We will unpack harmful notions of health that are often used to shame fat people for simply existing, and explore some of the misconceptions most people have about what a healthy body should look like. We will explore the role of the media and social norms in dictating which bodies are good bodies, and challenge participants to unpack their own biases and unchecked assumptions about different bodies.
This event is for people who identify as Asian (that includes but is not limited to Southeast Asian, South Asian, East Asians, Asian-Pacific Islander)
About Asam Ahmad:
Asam Ahmad is a poor, working-class writer, facilitator, poet and community organizer. He has facilitated countless anti-oppression/anti-racism trainings in a range of settings, as well as training organizations and universities on call-out culture and transformative justice accountability processes. His writing and poetry have appeared in CounterPunch, Black Girl Dangerous, Briarpatch, Youngist and Colorlines, among others. His first book of essays is forthcoming from Between the Lines Press. He lives in Tkaronto.
How to Support Within Our Own Communities with Asam Ahmad
Thursday, December 6, 2018
How can we address the prejudices and discriminations that we have internalized, while supporting each other and also holding each other accountable? What does internalized white supremacy look like for Asians, and how does it manifest in our communities and in our relationships with each other?
What are areas we may have acted out in harmful ways, despite our best intentions? How may we have harmed our own friends and family when we act in ways that perpetuate the power dynamics and struggles we fought so hard against? This discussion will delve into these questions and provide a space for participants to take part in a brave conversation without shaming each other.
This event is for people who identify as Asian (that includes but is not limited to Southeast Asian, South Asian, East Asians, Asian-Pacific Islander)
About Asam Ahmad:
Asam Ahmad is a poor, working-class writer, facilitator, poet and community organizer. He has facilitated countless anti-oppression/anti-racism trainings in a range of settings, as well as training organizations and universities on call-out culture and transformative justice accountability processes. His writing and poetry have appeared in CounterPunch, Black Girl Dangerous, Briarpatch, Youngist and Colorlines, among others. His first book of essays is forthcoming from Between the Lines Press. He lives in Tkaronto.
Difficult Conversations: Conflict Resolution with B.K. Chan
Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018
How can we as a community come together to have difficult conversations with each other in ways that allow us to support one another and hold each other accountable? What happens when there are issues within our communities that need to be addressed, but we remain silent to avoid conflict and burn out? How can we develop strategies to talk to one another about complicated issues, particularly when we recognize the complexity of experiences that we all carry?
Karen B. K. Chan (she, they) is an award-winning sex and emotional literacy educator in Toronto, Canada, with 20+ years of experience. Karen (aka BK) is dedicated to having difficult conversations that are real, transformative, and kind.
Known for her accessible style and sense of humour, BK integrates curriculum content into stories, and theory into practice. She works with individuals, groups, and organizations, and trains professionals across disciplines.
BK's Website:
http://www.fluidexchange.org/
Body Politics Series: Beauty & Desirability
Facilitated by Rahim Thewar
Thursday, October 25, 2018
How does conventional standards of beauty impact us as Asians and South Asians as we move through the world? (body hair, eye shape, nose structure, hair, etc.) How can we consider dismantling internalized notions of unrealistic beauty standards while still feeling desirable?
How can we talk about personal resiliency, develop strategies to challenge these norms and cultivate self-acceptance while supporting one another?
About Rahim Thawer:
Rahim Thawer is a registered social worker who works as a psychotherapist on the LGBTQ family health team at Sherbourne Health in Toronto and as a consultant in private practice. He operates from a harm reduction, sex positive, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approach providing psychotherapy to newcomer, racialized, queer, trans and HIV-affected communities around issues of anxiety, depression, trauma, body image and problem substance use. Rahim also supervises master’s of social work and counselling psychology students and has taught as a post-secondary instructor at George Brown College, Centennial College, and Ryerson University. He developed curriculum for a number of courses in Centennial College’s Addiction & Mental Health Worker Program (AMHW) before its launch in Fall 2016. Rahim is a co-editor of a local history anthology entitled Any Other Way: How Toronto Got Queer, which was shortlisted for the 2017 Toronto Book Awards, and he was nominated for the CBC Proud to Shine Feature in 2018 for his volunteer and activist work. Rahim is on the Guelph Sexuality Conference planning committee and is part of the Core Organizing Team with Salaam Canada, a national LGBTQ Muslim organization.
Zine-making workshop
Thursday, April 5, 2017
Location: QAY
This workshop will begin with the history of Zines, why Zines were started. We will explore the fundamentals of foundation for techniques of staging, clarity, emotion and other principals. part I.
Objectives:
- to provide historical context of how and why Zines were created.
- to provide participants with tools to tell a story visually as well as touch up on some formal techniques
Zine-making workshops
Thursday, April 12, 2017
Location: QAY
Mark making is the different lines, patterns, and textures created in an artwork or drawing. This workshop will explore different types of mark making, discusses the aesthetics of mark making, and playing with different mediums (paint, chalk, etc)
Objectives:
- to improve mark making skills
- increase decisiveness when mark-making
- explore different mediums of creativity
Asian Feminism against white supremacy and patriarchy
Date TBA
Location: TBA
We will explore Asian Feminism as it pertains to the Asian experience within the context of subverting white supremacy and patriarchy.
Topics:
- Asian desirability
- the fetishization of Asian woman, etc.
- Create discussion around Asian identity and tools of empowerment for Asian folks.
Black Lives Matter facilitated in Partnership with Queer Asian Youth
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Location: ACAS - Unit #410 - 260 Spadina Road
We will bring in someone from Black Lives Matter Toronto to speak to Asians of their experiences of organizing BLM, their approach, and challenges they face.
Shadism facilitated by Asam Ahmad in partnership with Queer Asian Youth
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Location: ACAS - Unit #410 - 260 Spadina Road
Topics:
- How does the shade of our skin tones govern the way we discriminate and police each other on the social hierarchy within our communities?
- What are ways we can dismantle these socially constructed notions of who deserves greater privilege and distribution of resources?
- To create a space to question and challenge the ways we discriminate each other within our own community based on the shade of our skin.
Intersectionality facilitated by Ray Garcia
Friday, December 9th, 2016 - 6pm to 8:30pm
Location: ACAS - Unit #410 - 260 Spadina Road
Topics:
This workshop concerns the common experience of having to choose between being “queer” and being “Asian” that many Asian youth face because queer spaces can be very anti-asian (especially gay male spaces where “No Asian” is an acceptable position to overtly articulate on dating profiles or club spaces) and Asian spaces can be very anti-queer.
Objectives:
The objective of this is to create a safe space to explore how the Asian identity intersects with other identities so that folks gain an increased awareness and empathy towards others.
Conversation with Kristyn Wong-Tam
RSVP here on Facebook or register by emailing us
Thursday, November 24, 2016 - 6pm to 9pm
Location: Toronto City Hall, Meeting Room C
Kristyn Wong-Tam will introduce herself and describe her experiences as queer and Asian living in Toronto. She will speak of ways in which she’s negotiated public spaces and tactics for survival.
- How she survived as an Asian in white dominate space?
- How was the art space different from political space? Were there different tactics?
- What is her philosophy of identity in public and private space?
- How she deals with racism in politics?
- How does she deal with Asians who don't agree with her work?
- How does she navigate finding balance between interacting with white folks while serving the Asian community who may or may not agree with her?
Chinatown History Tour with Arlene Chan
RSVP here on Facebook or register by emailing us
Saturday, November 12, 2016 - 2:30-4:00pm
Location: Meeting at Chinatown Centre at 222 Spadina Ave (south of Dundas)
Arlene will take us on a tour of Chinatown giving us a brief of its history, including the changes it’s had over the decades, introduction to the clan associations, etc.
Tokens will be provided. The tour is all on flat surfaces with no steps and inclines.
For other details on accommodations and accessibility, please e-mail us at:
[email protected]
About Arlene
Arlene Chan, author and Chinatown historian, has written seven books about the history, culture, and traditions of the Chinese in Canada, some shortlisted for the Ontario Speaker’s Book Awards, Heritage Toronto Book Award, Silver Birch Award, and Red Cedar Award.
Growing up in Chinatown as a third generation Chinese Canadian, Arlene had a front-row seat to witness the development of the Chinese community in Toronto. She brings her first-hand experiences and family stories as a Chinatown tour guide for Heritage Toronto and The Ward Museum.
Arlene is the president of the Jean Lumb Foundation that awards high school students of Chinese heritage for excellence in academics, athletics, community services, the arts, and innovation. She serves on the board of Little Pear Garden Dance Company and as an advisor for the Chinese Canadian Museum, Heritage Interpretation Working Group for Ontario Infrastructure, and Toronto Public Library's Chinese Canadian Archives. When Arlene is not researching, writing, or leading tours, she can be found paddling around Lake Ontario on a dragon boat.
Asian Identity in Media
Thursday, October 20, 2016 – 6:15pm-8:30pm
Location: Unit #2-163 Sterling Road
Topics:
- How are Asians represented in Western media from Bruce Lee to Lucy Liu while roles for movies such as Ghost in the Shell are played by white leads?
- How are Asians represented within Asian media itself?
- Do we see a fairer representation within Korean pop culture and India’s Bollywood?
- What are the most pressing issues that are generated from the ways Asians are represented in both Western and Eastern media and the impact it has on us? What can we do to question, challenge, and dismantle toxic representations of ourselves on the screens and media?
Anti-Oppression facilitated by Rain in partnership with Queer Asian Youth
Thursday, October 27, 2016 – 6:15-8:30pm
Location: ACAS - Unit #410 - 260 Spadina Road
Topics:
- We will explore the definition of oppression, and share experiences of when Asian youth have experienced oppression.
- How can we address anti-oppression within our communities?
- What would anti-oppression look like for Asian identified youth whose experience of oppression includes the myth that they do not experience oppression?