2018 marks the beginning of an exciting new year at the ROM Youth Cabinet (YC), as the group is introducing 5 new members and welcoming 5 returning, to learn about Indigenous culture and history through the Daphne Coxwell First Peoples Gallery.
For the second year in a row, the YC is excited to work with the online storytelling platform, Wattpad, to share stories inspired by guest artists, the gallery, and personal experiences. Since the YC has started this year, Indigenous artists, writers, knowledge keepers, and dancers have included: Monique Mojica (Embodied Storytelling), Lindy Kinoshameg (Prairie Chicken and Social Dancing), and Nimkii Osawamick (Hoop Dancing).
"It was great to learn and experience a different form of dance through the use of hoops. Nimkii's way of representing the earth and its creation through hoop dancing was inspirational. Being able to practice some of his techniques and movements was fun, and was a fantastic way to start the Youth Cabinet meetings this year." - Donna
"It was really awesome to have Lindy come and do a performance for us. It was really personal and we got to ask questions and learn about his dance in greater detail, things we never got to learn about everyday." - Clara
In addition to working with Indigenous guests, artists and elders at the ROM, the YC has visited the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and has participated in a Skype call with Australian Musician Mitch Tambo.
"It was an eye-opening experience to learn about Indigenous culture of Australia as well as the inspirations of Mitch's music through our Skype call. His music video has very different style and artistic value from the ones that I am exposed to everyday." - Darrel
In addition to working with Indigenous guests at the ROM, the YC has visited the Native Canadian Centre and has participated a Skype call with Australian Musician Mitch Tambo.
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ABOUT THE CABINET
The ROM Youth Cabinet is a culturally diverse group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth between the ages of 16-21 years old from Toronto and the Greater Toronto area. The ROM Youth Cabinet is facilitated by Leslie McCue, from Curve Lake First Nation with support from Summer Catt, this year's Indigenous Youth Intern from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. The YC uses an Indigenous framework and a for-youth-by-youth philosophy to provide YC members with tools they need to build leadership skills,explore their community, and tell their stories. Each year, members collaborate on a culminating youth-centred and ROM focused project
www.rom.on.ca
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