Memorial Round Dance – Honoring Our Loved Ones

What to Expect

Join us for the heartfelt Memorial Round Dance—a traditional Indigenous ceremony held to honor and remember those who have passed into the Spirit World. Through ceremony, feasting, drumming, singing, and dancing, we come together in a circle of healing, connection, and celebration of life.

Hosted in collaboration with local partners, the evening will feature:

• Ceremonial and social songs
  
• A traditional feast
  
• A special giveaway that embodies the spirit of sharing and remembrance
  

Everyone is invited to join hands in a welcoming circle, participating in a deeply inclusive cultural experience rooted in respect and unity.

This Round Dance also serves as a memorial for those impacted by:

• Residential schools
  
• Overdose
  
• Suicide
  
• Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit+ (MMIWG2S+)
  
• And other profound personal and communal losses
  

Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo of a loved one who has passed (featuring only the individual being remembered) to be included in the memorial song.

Throughout the evening, Elders and cultural knowledge keepers will be present to share teachings and stories, deepening our collective understanding of the Round Dance and its spiritual significance.

Come together in remembrance, healing, and celebration. Kina gwaya bizhaak! All are welcome.

Attendees are encouraged to wear orange or red.

This event is part of Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week at TMU

This event is part of reconciliation at TMU.

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released the report Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future (external link) , which outlines the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system and 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of those schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation. 

In response to the TRC’s Education Calls to Action, after two years of community consultations, TMU released the Truth and Reconciliation Community Consultation Summary Report and established the TRC Strategic Working Group, which structured much of TMU’s work toward addressing the Calls to Action.

Today, TMU remains committed to increasing awareness of Indigenous histories, worldviews and cultures and continues to promote inclusion of Indigenous persons and perspectives at the university and foster respectful dialogue and relationships between both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members. Learn more about TMU’s ongoing work toward Truth and Reconciliation.

As part of TMU’s ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation, this event will highlight the histories, cultures and treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Through presentations, discussions and community engagement, attendees will gain deeper insight into treaty relationships and their contemporary significance. Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week (November 3 – 7) is a time to learn, reflect and engage in collective responsibility toward reconciliation.

Kina gwaya bizhaak! All are welcome! 

This event is wheelchair accessible

The university is committed to the accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. If you require any additional accessibility accommodations to ensure your full participation, please let us know on the registration form or email indigevents@torontomu.ca.

Wellness & Cultural Support

Weecheetowin Support Services (external link)  (pronounced Wee-cheet-owin), will be on-site to provide mental wellness and cultural support during the event.

Crisis Support 

For immediate crisis support, please call MMIWG Crisis Line 1-844-413-6649 or Hope For Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about supports available to Indigenous students, faculty and staff at TMU.

Crisis support through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society is a provincial organization that provides essential services to residential school survivors and families experiencing intergenerational trauma. For immediate crisis support, please call 1-866-925-4419, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Additional Support for Indigenous students, faculty and staff at TMU 

For Indigenous students

Indigenous students can access culturally supportive programs and services, including peer support groups and Indigenous traditional counselling through Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services. 

The Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CSDC) is working in collaboration with Indigenous Initiatives and Indigenous Student Services in the OVPECI to offer counselling support to Indigenous students. Indigenous students looking to learn more or book an appointment can contact Lisa LaFreniere at lisa.lafreniere@torontomu.ca and Eden Abraham at eden.abraham@torontomu.ca. 

Good2Talk (external link)  is a free, confidential and anonymous service for post-secondary students for 24/7 professional counselling. Good2Talk also provides mental health information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being. Access their services immediately by calling 1-866-925-5454 or texting “GOOD2TALKON” to 686868.

For Indigenous faculty and staff

Through the university’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), Telus Health, Workplace Wellbeing Services and Indigenous Initiatives have arranged for Michael Diotte (Indigenous trauma counsellor) to be available for individual, confidential, virtual or in-person counselling (Michael is located in Oshawa area).

Indigenous employees (who have self-identified through the Employee Diversity Self-ID Program) can call the Telus Health Care Access Centre at 1-844-880-9142 and request an appointment with Michael.

Indigenous employees who have not self-identified through the Employee Diversity Self-ID Program and wish to access support through Life Works are also eligible for this service. If you have any questions about your eligibility for EFAP services, contact Jennifer Alefounder (Director, Workplace Wellbeing) at jennifer.alefounder@torontomu.ca. Jennifer continues to be a member of the working group that oversees the ongoing resources and support of Indigenous employees.She will be on-site as well for immediate support.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Osawamick, Manager, Indigenous Events and Special Projects, at indigevents@torontomu.ca.