Natural Dye Truth & Reconciliation Workshop

While all events are free, we request that you if you can comfortably afford it (or more, if you like!). Arts organizations and festivals across Canada are currently struggling financially. Our funding has decreased by 20% since 2023, while inflation has driven costs much higher.

Check out the full Festival Program and mark your calendar for an unforgettable autumn experience.

In honour of the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we are thrilled to teach you how to create a naturally dyed orange t-shirt with locally grown plants from the Colour Me Local Dye Garden.

Join facilitators Varsha Gill and LoriAnn Bird (Snyder) to learn how and when to collect plant materials, prepare fabric for natural dyeing (scouring and mordanting), and make beautiful orange dyes while spending quality time with others in the community.

Throughout the workshop, we will discuss the importance of Truth and Reconciliation and reflect on how we are working towards decolonization in our own lives.

Materials will be provided and you will take home your orange t-shirt. You will also be given a take-home resource to continue your dyeing explorations at home.

Please be aware that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a solemn day of remembrance. We highly encourage you to check out this "How We Learn Together" document from fellow community arts organization EartHand Gleaners Society to get a sense of what we expect from the folks joining us.

All skill levels are welcome. Open to ages 12+.

What to bring?

During the time our fabric soaks in the dye pot, we'll participate in reflection, introspection, and writing. Feel free to bring along a journal and a pen (if you'd like), and remember to have your water bottle with you.

LoriAnn Bird is an Indigenous Metis herbalist and educator with a deep knowledge of wild, medicinal and edible plants that grow in everyday spaces. Through Lori’s eyes, our immediate surroundings take on a new life and offer a wealth of untapped nutritional and ecological resources. Through Indigenous ways of knowing and pedagogies, Lori leads people of diverse backgrounds in reconnecting to the Earth’s wisdom.

Varsha Gill (she/her) is a textile artist, community arts facilitator, and land-and-arts-based social worker who believes in the transformative power of art for social and environmental justice, and decolonial worldbuilding. Born, raised, and based on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories, with family roots in Delhi and Punjab, her work is guided by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s invitation to “reimagine a world where people and land are good medicine for one another.

• Date: Thursday, September 25th
• Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
• Location: Slocan Community Hall
• Age: Ages 12+. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Slocan Community Hall is located in Slocan Park.
• Slocan Community Hall is a one-minute walk from 29th Avenue Skytrain Station and bus loop.
• Bus numbers #16, 29, 33 take you to 29th Avenue Station.
• Limited street parking is available.
• We recommend walking, taking the bus, riding your bike, or carpooling when possible.

• Slocan Community Hall is an indoor space located in Slocan Park, and can be accessed from a partially paved and partially grassed pathway in the park, adjacent to 29th Ave; wheelchairs should be able to access both areas unless extensive rainfall occurs.
• Chairs, washrooms, and a refrigerator are available on-site.
• Please do not hesitate to inquire about any additional accessibility needs by emailing bW9vbmZlc3QgfCBzdGlsbG1vb25hcnRzICEgY2E=

The Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival and all of Still Moon Arts' programming take place on the unceded territories of Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

A fusion of art, nature, and community, this month-long festival celebrates the Harvest Moon, Still Creek, local art, and the diverse cultural traditions of the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. Expect dazzling lanterns, live music, dance, food, art & nature workshops and community performances. Check out the full Festival Program!

Still Moon Arts Society mobilizes community and creates positive change through eco-arts and environmental stewardship programming, and produces the annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Still Moon is a registered charity whose mission is to inspire vibrant and connected communities by creating artistic experiences and nurturing a passion for nature.

Please join us in sending a big thank you to the Vancouver Food Forest Foundation for sponsoring this event.

We gratefully acknowledge support for the Renfrew Ravine moon Festival from the Renfrew Park Community Association, the Government of Canada, Stir Vancouver, Rock 101, Canadian Heritage, BC Arts Council , Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Collingwood Community Policing Centre, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board , Government of British Columbia, the Hamber Foundation, and the many other supporters, donors, and volunteers who make the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival possible. Your contributions are invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Also check out other Festivals in Vancouver, Arts events in Vancouver, Workshops in Vancouver.