Meet the Authors: Valley of the Birdtail
Date: Jun 20
7:00 pm
- 8:00 pm
Where: Theatre
Evening Talk
Join Judy A. White, K.C., in conversation with authors Douglas Sanderson, attending virutally, (Amo Binashii) and Andrew Stobo Sniderman to discuss their acclaimed book, Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town and the Road to Reconciliation.
Valley of the Birdtail is about how two communities became separate and unequal—and what it means for the rest of us. The story of these two communities reflects much of what has gone wrong in relations between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. It also offers, in the end, an uncommon measure of hope.
This program is free but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling 709-757-8090.
About the Authors:
Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) is Beaver Clan, from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He is a Fulbright Scholar, and holds the Prichard Wilson Chair in Law and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. Professor Sanderson has served as senior Advisor to the government of Ontario, in the offices of the Attorney General and Aboriginal Affairs.
Andrew Stobo Sniderman is a writer, lawyer and Rhodes Scholar from Montreal. He has written for the New York Times, the Globe and Mail and Maclean’s. He has also argued before the Supreme Court of Canada, served as the human rights policy advisor to the Canadian minister of foreign affairs, and worked for a judge of South Africa’s Constitutional Court.
Judy A. White , K.C. is a Mi’kmaq and member of the Flat Bay Band. Ms. White completed a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie Law School with particular emphasis upon Aboriginal Law. Ms. White also completed the Intensive Program of Lands, Resources and First Nations Government at Osgoode Hall Law School. Ms. White has recently completed the Leading Peoples and Investing in Sustaining Communities, an Indigenous certificate program at Harvard Business School. Ms. White has completed the Chartered Directors Program at McMaster University. Ms. White has vast board and governance experience and has served many agencies and in various capacities. Ms. White is currently serving as Director General at Indigenous Services Canada. Ms. White is the Chair of the Inuvialuit Arbitration Board. Ms. White serves as Chairperson of the NL Human Rights Commission, as well as Co-Chair of Equal Voice- NL. Ms. White was the 2022 Recipient of the Governor General Person’s Case Award.
Events & Programs
Get to know the artifacts and material culture from The Rooms Collections better through drawing. This new weekly series is designed for creatives who want to sketch independently and draw from a unique collection of artifacts and objects from our 6 vaults.
Each session of Drawing from Our Collections will feature a new curated selection of artifacts and material culture from our extensive archives, art gallery, and museum vaults. It will be a rare opportunity to observe and draw from items that are not usually accessible to the public. Prepare to gain valuable knowledge about our collections along with others who are keen to draw, sketch and learn.
This series is for those comfortable with drawing independently in a supportive and engaging environment. Bring your sketchbook and pencils and join us for a creative adventure that will deepen your connection to art and history.
4 sessions: October 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 2 – 4 pm
Cost: $80 plus HST for 4 sessions. 10% discount for Rooms members. Must be purchased as a block of 4.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early to secure your spot. Suitable ages for 15 and up. Register online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
Prefer an evening time slot? There is also a 6:30 – 8:30 pm session offered every Wednesday in October.
Join archaeologist Blair Temple to hear what archaeologists found during excavations that took place during the 2018–2023 Water Street Infrastructure Improvement (WSII) project: fishery artifacts dating to the 1600s, evidence of multiple fires in the 1800s… Learn more about the amazing archaeology happening right in our city!
Tickets: $12 plus HST. Free for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
Toby Rabinowitz, a St. John’s artist whose work radiates warmth and vitality, shares her inspirations and process behind her new exhibition, “A World Within a World.” Toby depicts a lively community of creatures, places, and stories, which reflect her lifelong creative journey.
Toby works across drawing, painting, photography, embroidery, and clay, and finds endless inspiration in the natural world. Her artworks are shaped by curiosity, kindness, and a belief in the everyday magic that surrounds us all.
Cost: $12 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
About the artist:
Toby Rabinowitz (b. 1969, Seattle, Washington, US) is a multidisciplinary artist based in St. John’s, NL. Raised on a farm in Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s, NL, she has been a pillar of the province’s arts community for more than 30 years.
Rabinowitz studied art at Maharishi International University (Fairfield, Iowa, US), Avalon Community College (St. John’s, NL), and Stephenville’s Western Community College (now College of the North Atlantic, Bay St. George, NL).
She refined her practice under mentors including Kathleen Knowling, Gerald Squires, Luben Boykov, and Valerie Hodder, among others. She recently completed a Parks Canada AiR residency at Gros Morne National Park and showed work in the 2025 Bonavista Biennale. Held in private and public collections nationwide, Rabinowitz’s art is represented by The Leyton Gallery of Fine Art, St. John’s, NL.
Have you ever been told your hair looks like a birch broom in the fits?
Join father-daughter duo Richard and Michelle Park to make your own mini birch broom! Birch broom making, the process of “running” a broom from one continuous piece of birch, was listed as Endangered in the 2024 Craft at Risk List.
Cost: $40 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. All materials included. Register online!
About the presenters:
Richard Park is a retired teacher who was first exposed to the birch broom in 1957 while teaching in the community of Fox Roost-Margaree. Later, in 1979 in Francois, he learned the skills to make birch brooms from a fisherman in the community. He has been making birch brooms since, including many as gifts.
Michelle Park is a retired history teacher with an interest in local history and folklore. Since the age of 10, she has watched her father make birch brooms as gifts for family and friends, as well as for the family’s own use. Michelle worked with Richard as part of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program. The pair also offered a Build Your Own Birch Broom (BYOBB) program at the Gillams Historical Society Museum on Wednesdays in August 2022.
Presented in partnership with Heritage NL.