Hi everyone!

So much on my list to share, but for now just want to make sure anyone in reach of Nogojiwanong knows about this event tomorrow. 

Kahsenniyo Kick is coming in from Six Nations to spend the afternoon with Sarah Lewis, Thamer Linklater, Kerry Bebee, Angeni Lovelady and Kelli Marshall, preparing for a public reading. Miigwech to Jenn Cole at Indigenous Performance Initiatives for holding this space for poetry, and for inviting me to curate this event. At the heart of this organizing is a vision of space for Indigenous poets to attend to their craft together.…

Hi folks, just a quick note to let you know that all my books are now available for order on my website. I'll sign 'em, deliver 'em, and maybe even add in a sticker or two ;) Please let me know if you have any trouble. Everything is also available pay-what-you-can, so get in touch if you need something other than what's on offer here. As always, you can still pick them up from Take Cover Books in town for that in-person experience.

Every empire falls.

These three words were a comfort to me in my early activist years. 

It is a truism. historically, scientifically, philosophically. Every empire falls.

It used to feel like a call to action, a righteous motivation to instigate the fall. But as Leeba discussed the fall of empire at our annual Rosh Hashanah gathering, I began to hear it more as a call for mercy. Leeba spoke of the inevitability of the fall, but also of our obligation to contribute to the way of the fall.

The morning after the gathering,…

Hi everyone,

A friend just stopped by to pick up a hastily assembled collection of towels, clothes, shoes, and kids' activities. Hundreds of evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation have arrived here and are being hosted by the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent. I was about to send this email when I heard that they are now overwhelmed with donations and are requesting for people to pause until they have time to sort through everything. This instant and abundant response from our community tells me how hungry we are for concrete action - an opportunity to reduce someone's…

As the phone rings, I’m wondering: is this a contrived proposal? What does Ubuntu and education in Zimbabwe have to do with my ponderings about hyper-local politics, Judaism, Palestine, and end times?

Then I hear Mutamba’s voice through my earbuds. His laughter. His joy at reconnecting. My nervous system settles immediately as I experience that thing that happens with old friends, where linear time gives way to spiral time, and you are instantly transported back to every moment you’ve shared. 

I ask him how he’s doing as I tidy the kitchen. He tells me he is working with…

Constellations of Belonging
Grown and cultivated by the panelists and participants of the Building a Beloved Community virtual session, April 3, 2025.
Seeded and woven by Ziysah von Bieberstein.

Are we divorcing ourselves from our humanity?
We live under threat of being separated from our communities, from our lands.
I'm not that far away from where George Floyd was murdered.
A woman, on her way to Iftar, was abducted for a blog post.

We have to be in places that are brave.
Step away from the fractures.…

Stoked to be gearing up to celebrate At the Risk of Listening with you in person!

Thanks to some dear friends who offered to make this happen, we will be gathering in Tkaronto on June 9 and in Nogojiwanong on June 13. 

I am blessed to be joined by a different musician for each event. Moyo Rainos Mutamba will be playing mbira at the Society Clubhouse as a fundraiser for Ubuntu Learning Village, and…

AT THE RISK OF LISTENING Book Launch & Celebration
Friday Jun 13th, 2025
7pm
Take Cover Books, 59 Hunter Street East
Tickets $10 or PWYC

We are very excited to host the launch of Ziysah von Bieberstein's collection of their work as Peterborough's Poet Laureate, At the Risk of Listening. It's all happening on the evening of Friday, June 13!