From DAREarts’ Cathy Elliott:

“What I do is take the traditional ingredients and I apply modern cooking techniques and my creativity, but it still falls in line with storytelling and our traditions. It all makes sense on a plate. I don’t randomly throw stuff in a pan. There’s a story behind it.” – Rich Francis

Rich will be sharing his wisdom with Culinary Arts students from Huron Heights SS in Newmarket. Together they will be preparing a Traditional feast with a twist and you will be helping us to answer the growing requests to work with First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and their communities.

Any way you can help will further empower the children that need it most. You saw the McLean’s Magazine article about racism towards Aboriginal people. You see what these kids are up against. You can help, too.

1. Buy a ticket for $50.00 for the First Roots Feast. You’ll meet Rich Francis, see traditional dancers, hear the drum and sample a fantastic meal. There will be live musical entertainment by local musicians Cathy Elliott and Glenn Marais (and who knows who will come out of the wood work from in and around Newmarket)!

2. Make a donation. Go to darearts.com First Roots Donate or call the office and make a donation over the phone. We give charity receipts for donations over $20.00.

a) If you can’t make it to the Feast, you can buy a ticket and donate it back so that someone else can fill that seat.

b) You can donate cash to sponsor either Rich Francis or the Sacred Spirit Dancers. Contact me for a sponsorship form and response form and you will get a key sponsor mention in our program, print and on-line materials.

c) Donate an auction item for the Silent auction. If you or someone you knows has a business you’d like to promote, contact me at celliott@darearts.com and we’ll inform you as to where to deliver or arrange pick up if you’re in the Toronto, Newmarket, Orangeville, or Alliston areas.

3. Donate your time. We’ll need people to help with serving a buffet style meal, greet guests, pick up donated items, etc. If you’re in high school, we can give you volunteer hours.

4. Pass this message on! Even if you can’t make it to the Feast in person, your support will help us out greatly by spreading the word about what we do! You don’t have to live in Toronto, or even Canada to make a difference for ALL of our children!

Please send any questions to me, Cathy Elliott, at celliott@darearts.com or (905)729-0097.

Meegwetch, Wela’lin, Thank You!
Cathy

Posted with permission from Cathy Elliott, DAREarts
Read DAREarts’ profile in our Community-Engaged Arts Directory and Map