Winter Solstice Storytelling by the Fire

Miigwech Collective brings together three Indigenous women from various artistic and professional backgrounds. Through the Miigwech Collective, Rosary Spence, Cotee Harper and Tamar Ilana partner with organizations such as FabCollab, Luminato Festival and Harbourfront Centre to present culturally grounded events, showcases and gatherings that highlight a matriarchal movement promoting strong women in leadership roles. It is through this invaluable work that the Miigwech Collective honours their ancestors and the generations to come. 

Marie Gaudet is a Turtle Clan member and a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation, located on Manitoulin Island. She was born and raised in Toronto. She is the mother of seven, five boys and two girls, and a Grandmother of two.  She was born to a Residential School survivor. Her mother, the Late Rose Logan, was her first teacher and mentor of Anishinaabemowin. She worked closely with her mother in translating her storybooks. This was an opportunity to begin to reclaim her identity, as it is her dream to become a fluent Ojibwe Language speaker. 

She works at Kapapamachakwew (Wandering Spirit School) as the Native Language Instructor and Traditional Knowledge keeper. She works closely with the Elders Council and Administration to design and deliver culturally appropriate programming,such as Clan day teachings, seasonal drum feasts, ceremonies and Land-Based Learning activities. 

Gaudet is a member of the Giiwedinanang Council at Aboriginal Legal Services in Toronto and a Knowledge keeper for Native Child and Family Services. She provides teachings, singing, ceremonies, and support to the community and assists in support work in other Indigenous agencies within the GTA. She has written and illustrated three self-published books in Anishinaabemowin and assisted students at the First Nations School of Toronto in writing and publishing their stories in Anishinaabemowin. 

She led youth groups titled “Stay In School Project” from 2001 to 2017, which included community theatre training, indigenous singing, story creation and dance. Some of these groups included a partnership with Red Pepper Spectacle Arts. Nelson Publishers has published two of Gaudet’s stories for a Grade Two and Grade Four curriculum on how stories are passed down through generations and contributions made by First Nations in early settler life. 

She is a Storyteller, singer and traditional song composer. Her performances include Adzokan with Red Sky in 2017 and 2018 and Luminato in 2019 and 2024. 

Emily Rose is Cree and Ojibway from Moose Cree First Nation and Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island. She is a jingle dress dancer and has been dancing since she was a toddler. She regularly attends events and powwows with her family drum, Eagle Heart Singers & Dancers. She is passionate about singing traditional songs and attending ceremonies. Rose is also a well-recognized seamstress and beadwork artist.