Indigenous Awareness Weeks Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address with Waubgeshig Rice
![](https://www.mcgill.ca/channels/files/channels/styles/fullwidth_breakpoints_theme_moriarty_small_1x/public/channels/image/mcgill-openingposter-02-1.png?itok=5OiYu0xF×tamp=1694013966)
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives at McGill University is pleased to invite you to the 2023 Indigenous Awareness Weeks (IAW) Opening Ceremony and Keynote Address. This year's keynote will feature acclaimed author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice. Register to attend now.
Waubgeshig Rice, a renowned Anishinaabe author and storyteller from Wasauksing First Nation, has written three novels and a short story collection. His works have been published in numerous anthologies. His most recent novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller. He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002 and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host. He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career. He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and three sons. His forthcoming novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, will be published in October 2023.
Mr. Rice will deliver an address entitled, “The Community Roots of Storytelling Careers.” To learn more about him, please visit his website.
The Opening Ceremony and Keynote Address will take place on Monday, September 18, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Leacock Building (room 232). It will kick off this year’s Indigenous Awareness Weeks (IAW), an event series, which takes place on McGill’s downtown campus from September 18-30, 2023. In addition to Mr. Rice's address, the ceremony will feature opening words by Kanien'kehá:ka Faith Keeper Otsi'tsakén:ra (Charlie) Patton and a performance by Inuit throat singers Qattuu and Abigail Asheevak. Refreshments will be provided at a reception from 5:00-5:30 pm.
The poster for this event was designed by Anishnawbe, Oji-Cree, and Two-Spirit artist NiibinDesigns.
Accessibility Information:
The Leacock Building has an accessible entrance on the east side of the building, and is also accessible through the Arts Building. All floors are accessible via elevators.
Accessible washrooms are available on the 1st basement and 5th floors. Gender-neutral washrooms are available on the 2nd and 5th floors.
To find out more about the 2023 Indigenous Awareness Weeks, please visit the IAW webpage.