Trade & Tradition: Why is the Birch Bark Canoe Important? | National Indigenous Peoples Month
- Date
- June 26, 2025
- Time
- 1:00 PM EDT - 3:00 PM EDT
- Location
- TRSM (55 Dundas St. West), CPA Lounge
- Open To
- Students, faculty, staff and community members
- Contact
- Habibah Haque, trsm.inclusion@torontomu.ca
- Website
- https://www.torontomu.ca/indigenous/events/national-indigenous-peoples-month
The birchbark canoe is culturally significant in the history of Indigenous entrepreneurship and in trading relationships on Turtle Island. Canoes were essential for their mobility, being used to transport several hundred pounds of goods across long distances over water for trading across North America. The trade relationships that were built formed a sophisticated entrepreneurship system that flourished and existed long before the advent of European colonization, and went on to lay the foundation of what is now the Canadian economy.
Join us to honour the canoe and its legacy
Join Michael Mihalicz, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship & Strategy and Indigenous Advisor at the Ted Rogers School of Management as he shares insights into the importance of the birch bark canoe and the role that Indigenous entrepreneurs have played in shaping Canada’s economic history.
This event will also highlight the canoe-making process, led by Todd Labrador, Mi'kmaq artisan who built the canoe displayed at TRSM. Learn how to connect with the canoe in mind, heart and spirit – and how we, as a community, can honour our shared responsibility as its caretakers at TMU. This event is taking place in recognition of Indigenous History Month and National Canoe Day on June 26, 2025.
This event is part of Mzawe Kiing Anishinaabek Giizis | National Indigenous Peoples Month.
This month is a time for self-education, with a number of opportunities to celebrate and reflect on the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the university community and beyond.
Aambe Bizhaak! / All are welcome!
About the organizers/team
Ted Rogers School of Management, in partnership with the Chang School of Continuing Education's 50+ Festival.
Accessibility
The Ted Rogers School at Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to ensuring that the building is barrier free and the physical environment and public spaces are accessible to all.
The Ted Rogers School features:
- Elevators & Escalators on all 3 floors
- Single, private all gendered washrooms
- Accessible Parking (via CF Toronto Eaton Centre Parkade)
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email trsm.inclusion@torontomu.ca.