Sewing Workshops for Kashechewan Evacuees

Artscan Circle, in partnership with Xpera, recently hosted sewing workshops in Niagara Falls to support Indigenous community members from Kashechewan First Nation who were relocated following a full evacuation due to unsafe drinking water.

Kashechewan First Nation, located along the Albany River in Northern Ontario, was evacuated as a result of ongoing water infrastructure challenges. This displacement required families to leave their homes and communities, creating significant emotional, cultural, and practical impacts.

Led by Tłı̨chǫ (Dene) artist and scholar Celine Mackenzie Vukson, the workshops created a welcoming, culturally grounded space for creativity, knowledge sharing, and wellness. Participants gathered to sew, connect, and support one another during a time of disruption.

The sessions took place at the DoubleTree Hotel in Niagara Falls on January 27 and 28. Guided by Artscan Circle’s values of respect, relationship-building, and community care, the workshops supported healing, cultural continuity, and community connection through Indigenous-led creative practice.