BY: AMANPREET CHONKRIAN

When Ayesha Khan visited a Lost Rivers walk along the Etobicoke Creek watershed, she immediately thought of her home in the Black Creek.

"This is such a lovely concept; the hidden stories of bodies of water." she mused. "I just thought; why can't we do this in Jane and Finch?"

She pitched her idea to Brian MacLean of Lost Rivers TO and together, they began forming the Black Creek Walks, Talks and Dances project; a set of educational teachings and art walks along the Black Creek in Downsview.

Along the way, various partners have come aboard, including York University Professor Anders Sandberg, Wyandot Tradition Keeper and artist Catherine Tammaro and Kathak performer and instructor, multidisciplinary artist Joanna de Souza. With funding from Myseum of Toronto, they were able to expand the project to include voices from many different backgrounds and cultures, including the Wendat who are Indigenous to Black Creek, with support and inclusion of the Wendat community in Wendake.

The free local programming is intended to bring the community together, showcase the intersectionality of various identities and migration histories, and build bridges between Jane and Finch and nearby York University. It will include 3 free walks open to the public in the month of April, and a conference on Indigenous theory and history in November.

"The opportunity to make dances that reflect our humanity, and our need to stay connected to nature, and to be able share this with the Black Creek community is totally rewarding for me as an artist and choreographer." Remarked Joanna de Souza, co-project lead and longtime Kathak dance instructor with M-DO Kathak Toronto. "Art is about expression and connection. We hope the folks joining us feel a whole new connection to their neighbourhood creek."

The walk choreographed by Joanna, The Living Creek, will feature Kathak dancing; a form of North Indian classical dance that employs storytelling and oral histories, original music by Ian de Souza, and spoken word by local resident and community worker Ayesha Khan. It will also feature a dance performance by Wyandot dancer Nichole Leveck.

The team welcomes participants from the local area to attend and participate in these interactive activities, including an interactive poetry and dance performance on April 16th, a food-themed walk taking place on April 17, and an Indigenous history walk and birchbark canoe-making workshop on April 23rd.

Brian MacLean, co-founder and one of the project leads has been developing the project for over a year and is greatly anticipating the opportunity.

"We hope our guided walks, talks, and workshop will centre residents in the nature we often overlook in the city and deepen everyone's connections to Black Creek's centuries of history and connection to land and water." Shared Brian. Our Creek connects us to the Humber River, Lake Ontario and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean! Jane-Finch residents are connected to great things and are capable of great things."

For a full list of the walks and to attend, please email blackcreekwalks@gmail.com or visit http://www.myseumoftoronto.com/exhibition/intersections-2022/