Latest news with #TurtleIsland
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- UAE Moments
From Reef to Horizon: Immersive Island Experiencesat Angsana Velavaru
Maldives, 14 August 2025– Angsana Velavaru invites travellers to immerse themselves in a rhythm shaped by tides, coral garden, and island breezes. Nestled within one of the Maldives' most vibrant marine environments, this ocean front retreat curates experiences for the curious- those drawn to depth, discovery, and the understated beauty of nature's untouched corners. Just a scenic 40- minute seaplane journey from Male', Velavaru- often affectionately known as 'Turtle Island' offers far more than postcard views. It's a getaway to extraordinary diving, sea-bound journeys, and barefoot island adventures that remind guests what it feels like to be fully present. Into the Blue: Dive Sites and Snorkelling Discoveries Angsana Velavaru sits at the heart of a marine wonderland, with over 30 dive sites just minutes away. Led by the resort's PADI 5- Star Glod Dive Centre, guests can explore gentle coral slopes, dramatic drop-offs, and manta ray cleaning stations. Daily two-tank dives and tailored expeditions bring both seasoned divers and curious beginners face-to-face with the Maldives' thriving underwater world. For those preferring to snorkel, the house reef offers a painterly introduction to coral life. Guided safaris led by marine experts offer an even deeper appreciation of reef ecosystems, while the calm water surrounding the island ensure that even first-time snorkelers can experience the ocean's embrace with ease. Ocean Adventures: Cruising, Fishing and Sunset Moments While the underwater world is a marvel itself, the surface holds its own kind of magic. Guests are encouraged to step aboard traditional dhonis and experience the ocean from a new perspective. Whether setting off on a dolphin cruise or watching the sky turn cold on a sunset sail, the views are unforgettable. For hands-on experience, traditional handline fishing trips introduce guests to a beloved Maldivian pastime, guided by local crew with stories to share. Other highlights included private boat charters and sandbank escapes- all designed to slow time and deepen one's connection to the sea. Land Experiences and Island Explorations Back on shore, Angsana Velavaru remains alive with nature and community. Morning nature walks and local island visits offer a glimpse into Maldivian island life beyond the beaches. At the resort's Marine Lab, guests are invited to take part in coral planting efforts or learn more about the marine conservation from passionate resident marine biologists. Families travelling together will find meaningful moments at the Ranger's Club, where young explorers can join treasure hunts, marine workshops, and outdoor games tailored to different ages. For solo travellers or couple, quiet moments under the stars, yoga by the beach, or walking around the island complete the rhythm of the day. Angsana Velavaru offers more than travel - it offers immersion, and the chance to become part of a living seascape. Whether descending into kaleidoscopic reefs realms of crafting memories ashore, every moment resonates with nature's quiet power.
Toronto Star
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Artist honours rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot at National Mosaic Art Exhibition
Dianne Sonnenberg stands in front of her mosaic titled 'Turtle Island' in Toronto, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fatima Raza SDV flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
CBC
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
National Indigenous Peoples Day to be marked with hundreds of events
Hundreds of events are planned across the country Saturday to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, recognizing First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures and traditions. Prime Minister Mark Carney will take part in a closed event to mark the day, which was first observed in 1996. The office of Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said she will host youth at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to mark the day by crafting paper hearts with "messages of reconciliation, hope and commitment." The Governor General will plant the hearts in Rideau Hall's "heart garden," which honours Indigenous people who died in residential schools, along with survivors. "Each heart is a symbol of our collective responsibility to listen to and carry forward their stories — of pain and disappointment, strength and courage — and to commit to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action," Simon's office said. Countrywide events A sunrise ceremony in St. John's kicked off the day's events. The ceremony included prayers, greetings to the sun and giving thanks to the Earth. Attendees also participated in a smudging ceremony and shared blessed water and berries. "We're very fortunate to be one of the first in Turtle Island to greet the sun. And so that's a big responsibility for us to do that in a good way," said Kelly Young, a spokesperson for First Light, a local non-profit that offers services to the Indigenous community and works on preserving Indigenous culture. Festivals, markets and more will be happening in communities across the country. Events in Montreal include a barbecue, summer market and live comedy, while in Ottawa, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, features a competition powwow, traditional foods and teaching sessions. Fort York National Historic Site, featuring traditional dances, live concerts and a food market. Starting Saturday, the Forks in Winnipeg will host Many Nations, One Heartbeat, an 11-day festival of Indigenous performances, games, fashion and crafts, one of many events across Manitoba.
Globe and Mail
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Reconciliation is not a return to the past – it's creating something new together
David A. Robertson is a Swampy Cree novelist and the author of 52 Ways to Reconcile. It will take longer to get to reconciliation if we don't fully understand what we're attempting to do. That statement might be self-evident, but it is no less relevant. When it comes to reconciliation, in my experience, I am not sure how effective our actions can be if they are actions based on a misnomer. The term reconciliation itself, within the context of this countrywide movement, in the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, is most certainly an inaccurate description. What does reconciliation mean? It's essential to be clear: I don't want to discount Canadians' work on reconciliation. As with anything relatively new, there is a learning curve. But we have done well, although we can't rest on our laurels. We must forge ahead and look to the future, invested in the path and the length we need to walk it. Because this is a marathon, it is not a sprint. The Grandparents do not say that healing takes one generation; it takes seven. The dictionary definition indicates reconciliation is the restoration of friendly relations. That sounds nice, doesn't it? Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people want to have a friendly relationship. I have been around long enough and have been to enough places across Turtle Island to be sure of that. Is that what we're trying to do? Restore friendly relations? Restoration is returning to something. What do we want to return to? Here's a quick example of reconciliation: Two people meet, fall in love and everything is great. They move in with each other, have children, and look to the future with love and hope. But then something breaks, and the relationship falters. The couple splits. Years later, after a lot of work and healing themselves individually, they can, in turn, heal their relationship. They return to what they used to be. That is reconciliation. Here's my question: When was the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people right? It wasn't. Ever. So, there is nothing worth returning to. On one level of this journey, reconciliation is indeed proper terminology. Thanks to colonialism's historical and continuing effects, there is brokenness within Indigenous communities. The former principal at Jack River School in Kinosao Sipi (Norway House Cree Nation) once told me that you can't heal brokenness with brokenness. She meant that teachers needed to heal from their trauma, direct or passed down, before they could genuinely help the kids. Individually, in our families, and in our communities, we have work to do to heal before we can even think about the breadth of Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations. Opinion: We cannot let Pope Francis's efforts toward Indigenous reconciliation die with him But when we get there in seven generations (and keep in mind, with the impacts of colonialism still prevalent across Turtle Island, that clock hasn't quite started ticking yet), we will not be returning to anything. My father passed away in December, 2019, just a couple of months before the world shut down. At the time of his death, he had been working with a group of knowledge keepers, of Grandparents, on a new term for reconciliation, considering what it really entails, the work we really need to be doing. Their focus was not on returning to anything, but rather, on starting a dialogue. I found a paper in my dad's stuff entitled Guiding Principles for Working Together to Build Restoration and Reconciliation. The first point is 'Building Relationships through Mutual Respect and Understanding – respect enhances our ability to see, hear, and value others.' 'Nothing's off the table': AFN warns of potential legal action if Bill C-5 passes You sit across from me, we share with one another, we learn about one another, and through that respectful interaction we begin to see through the preconceptions we might have of each other. We see each other as human beings, first and foremost, and through knowledge transfer, we develop empathy, understanding and respect. That is how you build a good relationship. It's a foundational practice that ensures, going forward, you have something solid to stand on. Together. You and I. Collectively, it doesn't mean that we are returning to anything. What it means is that we are building something for the first time. It means that we are building community. Do you want to know the dictionary definition of community? It is a group of people with a shared interest living together within a larger society. We don't all have to do the same thing. Not at all. You have your life, and I have mine. But within the context of what we continue to call reconciliation, we do have a shared interest: coming together, working with and for each other, for equitable opportunities where everybody has a chance at success. Because we recognize that one person's victory is the victory of the community we have built, and that success, the stuff that comes from listening and learning, from empathy and action, will lead us to a better, strong and sustainable future. Whatever we want to call what we're doing, that's the way forward.
CBC
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Community event at Fort York celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day
A community event that showcases Indigenous cultures is underway in Toronto at the Fort York National Historic Site. The Indigenous Arts Festival and Na-Me-Res Pow Wow, which runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, officially kicked off on Friday. It is a celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is marked on Saturday. "This free community event celebrates traditional and contemporary Indigenous music and dance, along with artisan and culinary experiences from First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Turtle Island," the city said in a news release on Thursday. Cathie Jameson, of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, welcomed people to the event on Friday. Jameson said it's important to have powwows in the heart of Toronto and to gather, speak, see one another and feast with one another. Gathering is part of reconciliation and that helps to heal traumas, she added. "You're acknowledging past, present and future. You are acknowledging all of the ancestral lives that have walked through here because you are a descendant of that," she said. The event features community booths, artisans and performances. On Saturday night, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is expected to attend. On its website, the federal government says of National Indigenous Peoples Day: "National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. "For generations, many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have celebrated their cultures, languages, and traditions at this time of year. The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples, marking a time of renewal, connection, and celebration."
