In this four-part workshop, we'll explore our hyphenated identities while honoring our ancestors and laying the path for our descendants.
As hyphenated individuals living in between cultures, we are, as activist Eboo Patel describes it, “standing at the crossroads of inheritance and discovery, trying to look both ways at once.”
In this virtual writing workshop series, we write to honor our ancestors and imagine the path we lay for the generations to come.
We ask ourselves, who are our ancestors? For those of us from communities that have largely been displaced – on this land or on another, by force or by choice – what connections do we hold to our past and to those who came before us? We look to our ancestors – biological or otherwise – and honor all they have given us, while letting go of that which no longer serves us.
We then turn to the future, to the possibilities that lay before us. Have you ever considered yourself as a future ancestor? As an elder with wisdom to share and possibilities to create? In the second part of our workshop, we ask ourselves, what riches do we inherit, and what discoveries are left for us to bestow upon future generations?
No writing experience necessary. Only an open heart and an open mind with a readiness to give and receive vulnerability.
We’ve carefully and intentionally designed this workshop to be supportive and generative. We’ll give you writing prompts to spark your creativity in a safe and positive environment. All you need is a steady Internet connection to join us online, some paper, and a pen.
Cost: $300
SYLLABUS AT A GLANCE
There are four sessions included in this course with meetings once a week for two hours.
Session 1 (Sunday 2/4, 11AM-1PM ET): We are "Living Hyphens"
Session 2 (Sunday 2/11, 11AM-1PM ET): Honouring the Past & Our Ancestors
Session 3 (Sunday 2/18, 11AM-1PM ET): Imagining Our Future & Our Descendants
Session 4 (Sunday 2/25, 11AM-1PM ET): Storytelling Night
About Your Facilitator: Justine Abigail Yu
Justine Abigail Yu is the founder of Living Hyphen. She is an award-winning workshop facilitator whose work with Living Hyphen has been featured on international, national, and local media outlets including the Globe & Mail, NextShark, CTV National News, and CBC. She was named a “Changemaker” by the Toronto Star in October 2021.
Justine Abigail is a fierce advocate for diversity and representation in Canada’s arts and literature scene. Her mission is to stir the conscience and spur social change.
Follow her work at justineabigail.com or across socials at @justineabigail.
Location
This is a virtual writing experience. Video conferencing details will be sent after registration.
ABOUT FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY
At Living Hyphen, we strive to make all our initiatives financially sustainable while also maintaining artistic independence and ensuring accessibility for our community. Our creative workshops will always have a few subsidized pricing options for those experiencing financial hardship.
Please use the code LETSWRITE! at registration to access our subsidized pricing. If you have any questions, please get in touch at hello@livinghyphen.ca.