Enhancing Children's Voices


Date: Jun 2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Coffee & Culture

For the past two years, Dr. Anne Burke and Dr. Diane Collier from Memorial University have been co-researching innovative teaching, language, culture and identity. Alongside primary teachers and children from two multicultural elementary schools in St. John’s, they have worked together to enhance ways to listen to young children's perspectives, to talk about artifacts and engage in various ways of making art to tell stories.

Please join the researchers, teachers and children as they talk about this rich project looking at experiential learning that honours the voices of children. Through working with artists and partnering with Memorial University and The Rooms, their research is part of a larger project called  ADVOST that includes projects in Finland and the United Kingdom.

Most recently, they completed an identity mapmaking project with the support of educator Anne Pickard-Vaandering at The Rooms. Children came to The Rooms to interact with the exhibition "Helping Hands: 30 Years at Kinngait Studios". They experimented with mapping and drawing their interests and identities, and then returned to their classrooms to create their own art. Their artworks are featured in the MakerFaire event at The Rooms on June 3.

Events & Programs

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Talk

Join guest curator and host, Jenelle Duval for an engaging conversation with panelists, Jordan Bennett, Samaqani Cocahq, Kayla Stride, and Nelson White.

The featured artists will reflect on their work as part of Duval’s exhibition, Tekweywinen tel weljesultiek (Be with us in our Joy), a uniquely interactive and play-based experience that showcases the works of seven Indigenous artists based in Wabanaki*—inviting you to explore their (and your) individual interpretations of joy.

For generations, Wabanaki artists have thrived and are known to be resilient and strong. Yet, it's not only their endurance that sustains them—laughter, spirit, and humour have been vital to their artmaking.

This exhibition is a celebration of that vibrant spirit, offering a space to uplift each other and collectively embrace the joy inherent in Indigenous culture. What brings joy to your inner child? How can we spark curiosity, invite wonder, and see the world with fresh eyes and an imaginative mind?

*Wabanaki, translated as “People of the First Light” or “Dawnland,” includes five nations: the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki. The region stretches from parts of Newfoundland to the Maritime provinces, Maine, and Quebec.

This is a free event but a ticket is required. Pelase reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709)757-8090. 

This program is in partnership with First Light in celebration of Spirit Song.

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Presented with PictureNL, we’re shining a spotlight on some of Newfoundland and Labrador’s superb films and filmmakers! Each month we’ll present a different local feature film on our big screen. Gather with friends and film buffs to celebrate home-grown talent.

Next up:

  • Screening six local shorts:
    • Faeries – directed by Yejide Emioladipupo – 7.41 mins
    • Poster Child – directed by Brianna Russell – 8 mins
    • Thumbs Up – directed by Mike Simms– 12 mins
    • After – directed by Nyah Williams– 12.12 mins
    • Scored by Time – directed by Nicola Hawkins– 9.49 mins
    • Sweet Pickle – directed by Lois Brown– 11 mins
    • Total screen time: 60 minutes

A Q&A will follow the screening.

This year-long monthly series is presented by PictureNL in partnership with The Rooms as part of Year of the Arts celebrations.  

Stay tuned as each monthly screening date is announced!

Tickets: $12 plus HST. Tickets are available online or by calling 709-757-8090.