Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter hosting ONWA’s 9th Annual Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Night

Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter hosting ONWA’s 9th Annual Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Night

Hamilton, ON – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is honoured to partner with the Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women to host the 9th Annual Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Night. This event will take place 7:00-9:00pm (EST) on November 25, both online and in-person in Hamilton, Ontario.

Every year, ONWA holds a Poetry Night on November 25th to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and to align with the UNITE 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (#orangetheworld) campaign. This annual event brings Indigenous women and allies together for healing through celebration of strength, resilience, and artistic expression.

This year will mark the first expansion of the in-person portion of the event outside of Thunder Bay. The evening will be hosted by local justice advocate Lyndon George of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation and will feature poetry readings by Cher Obediah, Deyowidron’t Teri Morrow, and community members. It will also include a cultural opening by ONWA Grandmother Renee Thomas-Hill, a performance from a local drum group, and the release of Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Book, volume 8.

ONWA is seeking poetry for next years Strong Hands Stop Violence Poetry Book, volume 9. Submissions can be made until December 31, 2024, and will be presented at next year’s Poetry Night.

• Register to attend Poetry Night online or in-person (Hamilton, Ontario) at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoc-2pqD8uG9W691ccV_-0H5t3Vg4cgNrB
• Submit your poetry: https://forms.office.com/r/UJ1mXkm8PB
• About the Strong Hands Stop Violence initiative: https://www.onwa.ca/strong-hands-stop-violence
• About the UN’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women: https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day

For more information and media inquiries, contact::
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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