Our Vision

To establish a series of dynamic, culturally rich, and community-focused spaces and gatherings dedicated to the celebration and cultivation of Spoken Word, Storytelling, and Visual Arts. These venues and events will be founded on a holistic approach that honours the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical facets of creative expression.

Through offering arts workshops and culture camps, we aim to foster a nurturing environment for Indigenous writers and artists, equipping them with the resources and support they need to thrive. These initiatives are designed not only to embolden new and rising talents but also to create a supportive network where artists and writers can collectively contribute to the healing of our communities.

These collaborative spaces serve as a vital conduit for the transmission of oral traditions and teachings, empowering artists to weave these elements into the fabric of their work. They also function as educational platforms for service providers and the broader community, enhancing their understanding of Indigenous histories, the legacy of intergenerational trauma and the enduring effects of residential schools and continued colonial aggression on the safety and wellbeing of individuals.

Moreover, our commitment extends to tackling the critical issues of hate crimes and safety within these communal frameworks, ensuring that our initiatives contribute meaningfully to the resilience and empowerment of those we serve.

Our Team

Kevin Poetik Wesaquate (he, him)

Poet, painter, welder, spoken word artist and founder of Indigenous Poets Society. From Piapot First Nation he has been an SCYAP Indigenous Art Leader since 2009. He’s passionate about combining written word, storytelling and visual imagery to create dynamic workshops for youth and adults in community.

Hope Engel (she, they)

Dbiki Anung, IPS Admin, community workshops & Wholistic practice, Turtle Clan, Oklahoma Chachta, Chickasaw, Cherokee family of Civil Rights activist teachers & father went to Convent School. “Indigenous femme-inist”, multiple disabilities & white privilege, in liminal between worlds, I’m passionate about inter-connectedness between all relations and maintaining indigenous worldviews. An “auntie” standing for love, healing, connection and caring communities. My Life as Ceremony is maintaining culture, IndigArts storytelling & relational worldviews and “whole-istic” (spiritual, mental, emotional, physical) community well-being.

Wendy Belanger (she, her)

Wendy lives in Kitchener and is the Ontario Events and Administrative Assistant. She is Ojibway Anishinaabe Kwe and member of Sagamok Anishnawbek in Northern Ontario.

Board of Directors

Jo-Anne Absolon (she, her)

Jo-Anne Absolon connects IPS-ON with indigenous artists and community. She lives with her adult children, Jessica, Jackson, and her grandson. Her eldest son Jeremiah, visits regularly. Her family operates Kakatoosh Kafe Catering, providing food for indigenous community.

“Friends and family tell me I am a strong woman- Beautiful, Kind, Caring, Thoughtful, Loving, Generous, Genius, tranquil, passionate. Warrior spirit”

She completed her Indigenous Field of Study MSW at WLU in 2014, and works at GVI Indigenous Interventions.

Denise Marie Bird (she, her)

Denise is from Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man Assiniboine Nation Treaty 6 and Treaty 4. However, she was raised by her father on Moosomin First Nation after the death of her mother. Denise is in the process of reclaiming her languages (Stoney Nakoda/Cree), as well as relearning her Indigenous oral storytelling traditions while she studies psychology at the University of Saskatchewan.

Heather Richardson (she, her)

Heather Richardson, Cree descendant, as GiZhawenimin staff, provides Wraparound support for Indigenous Youth who are at risk, are in care or kinship, or left care in the Waterloo Region. This Aunties, Uncles and Two Spirit Carers program helps break the cycle by creating lifelong extensions to the family circle.

Collaborators and Consultants

Heather Majaury (she, her)

Heather Majaury is a descendant of unregistered Indigenous peoples & Canadian settlers. Originally from unceded Algonquin territory, her grandmother was the last person in her family to be enumerated an Indian in the 1920’s. Heather now lives in block 2 of the Haldimand Tract and is a theatre artist and administrator. She is the founder of Kaleidoscope Collective and uses applied theatre to affect social change.