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 storytelling playshop, we write to honour 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 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 chosen – and honour all they have given us, while letting go of what 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? 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 a space that is intimate, supportive, and generative. All you need is a steady Internet connection to join us online, some paper, and a pen.
This class is offered in partnership with the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society.
Dates: Tuesday, June 2, 9, 16, and 23
Time: 5pm-7pm PT | 6pm-8pm MT | 7pm-9pm CT | 8pm-10pm ET | 9pm-11pm AT
Location: Online
AWCS Member Price: $160.00
AWCS Non-Member Price: $200.00
ABOUT FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY
The Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society is community that thrives on support and encouragement. Based on the philosophy of "no writer left behind", the J. Michael Fay Subsidy Program is available to anyone who finds themselves in financial need but really wants or needs to participate in one our programs are classes. Click link above for more details and to apply.
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 national and local media outlets including the Globe & Mail, CTV National News, and the 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.
About the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society
Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS) was started by a small group of writers, led by J. Michael Fay, who had been running creative writing classes out of the basement of the Alexandra Centre in the Inglewood neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta. The AWCS has always been a place for writers to gather and support one another on the creative writing journey.
It doesn't matter if you're writing for something to do, overcoming trauma, creating a legacy project or want to become a published poet, novelist, short story writer. AWCS has something for everyone. .