The Don River Awakens.
The Don River Awakens.
Through public art, movement, and workshops, The Don River Awakens engages community in celebrating the renewal of the Port Lands and the Don River. The project blends Indigenous knowledge, local artistry, and ecological storytelling to inspire awareness and shape the long-term cultural and community leadership on the island.
The free public procession and accompanying workshops will explore and celebrate the various intersections of nature, community, art, and place.
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Placemaking begins with understanding place. The area that houses Ookwemin Minising and the mouth of the Don River have undergone a profound transformation from natural landscapes to Indigenous stewardship, colonization, industrialization, economic prowess, degradation, and now ecological renewal. Today, the island is being restored to its natural landscape, becoming a vibrant space for all Torontonians. Recognizing this journey allows us to celebrate the land’s resilience and create a shared vision for its future.
Initiative Themes
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Fostering an inclusive and equitable public space requires centering its many diverse communities from past, present, and future. This means amplifying the voices of those who have stewarded it, and inviting the next generation of caretakers to envision and shape its future together.
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Art is a powerful medium for storytelling and connection, capable of uniting people across diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. As the island undergoes its renewal, it is poised to become a new cultural landmark for Toronto. The Don River Awakens uses art as a unifying language to celebrate and honor the island’s transformation.
Commemorative Lantern Making Workshop
October 19 | 1 – 5pm | St. Matthew's Clubhouse
Our friends at Red Pepper Spectacle will lead a workshop inviting community to create bamboo-and-paper lanterns with imagery honoring the Salmon spawning season and Indigenous place naming.
Family Art Workshop
October 20 | 6:30 – 9:30pm | St. Matthew's Clubhouse
Families are invited to stop by anytime to work alongside Indigenous artist Kayos Jones to craft fish puppets and painted woven textiles.
River History Tour
October 25 | 3:30 – 5:30pm | Biidaasige Park
Walk with Lost Rivers and Bring Back the Don member, John Wilson, to explore the Don’s Indigenous and industrial histories, and its journey of renewal.
Costume & Puppet Procession
October 25 | 5:30 – 6:30pm | Biidaasige Park
Gather at dusk for a lantern-lit procession led by Red Pepper Spectacle and Kayos Jones, uniting art, culture, and community.
Public Art Installation
October 25 | 5:30 – 8:30pm | Biidaasige Park
Biiskaabe Zaa’emaanag (Return of the Salmon), by Anishinaabe artist Joseph Sagaj and commissioned by Red Pepper Spectacle, will be on view. Take a moment to reflect on our hopes for the Don’s future.
Support
The Don River Awakens is made in partnership with Monumental.
Additional support and partnership is provided by East End Arts, City of Toronto, Lost Rivers, local and indigenous artists and leaders in Tkaronto.
Special thanks to our friends Red Pepper Spectacle and Kayos Jones for their leadership and collaboration.
The Don River Awakens is generously funded by the Toronto Arts Council.