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From the Hearth with Billie the Kid and Mandy Wilson

In-Person
15 October, 19 November, 17 December 2023 and 21 January, 18 February, 17 March 2024
2–4 pm

All are welcome and no experience is required.

From the Hearth is an in-person poetry and spoken word workshop series that expands our circles of care to embrace the journeys, stories and connections we share as humans. We guide both new and experienced poets through the art of storytelling and finding an individual voice that celebrates collective memory and belonging. We discuss why our stories are important, do exercises in expression and inspiration and think about community and collaboration. This series is facilitated by Billie the Kid who is a K’ai Taile Dené and Nehiyaw spoken word poet and storyteller in collaboration with Mandy Wilson, Community Connection Coordinator at the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest (KILN), 610 Montreal Street, Kingston.

March’s workshop is at Agnes and focuses on the responsibilities of the Poet / Land Steward to storytelling and traditional harvesting.

All are welcome and no experience is required. Participants can register for individual workshops, or join the full series.

Portrait of Billie the Kid

Portrait of Billie the Kid

Portrait of Mandy Wilson

Portrait of Mandy Wilson

BIOGRAPHIES

Billie the Kid is a K’ai Taile Dené and Nehiyaw spoken word poet and storyteller. Originally from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, she now resides in Kingston, Ontario, the traditional home of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Huron-Wendat. Billie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University and has performed at events across Turtle Island from CUPSI to the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. Her poetry breathes life into narratives as she explores relationships with family, friends, food, and the dynamic nature of dreams.

Mandy Wilson is the Community Connection Coordinator at the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest. She is a woman of mixed ancestry that includes, Indigenous, African and Orosh decent. She grew up in the small town of Sharbot Lake, located on unceeded Algonquin territory. She now lives in Kingston where her work is fueled by her passion for language revitalization and her love for our plant relatives.

Supported by the Guardian Capital Indigenous Art Fund.
Footnotes
Image Credits

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