All posts by dan kellar

journalist and co-editor of CKMS News. host AW@L Radio. grilled cheese chef, anarchist, blockade enthusiast, "best papa ever", systems geographer, he/him. on rex's ignoramus list https://radiowaterloo.ca/news https://radiowaterloo.ca/awl-radio/
CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-05-01- Indigenous artwork at new library branch focuses on interconnectedness and storytelling

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CKMS News -2025-05-01- Indigenous artwork at new library branch focuses on interconnectedness and storytelling.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – While the neighbourhood surrounding Kitchener’s newest library branch in still under construction, inside the building, a 15m long wall sculpture has been installed and unveiled, which according to a city press release “explores and honours connection to the earth and to each other, but also the traditional sharing of knowledge within Indigenous communities.”

The artwork, a collaboration with Anishinaabe Indigenous artists Isaac Murdoch and Nyle Johnston is named Wintertime Stories and is a sprawling mixed medium sculpture made with acrylic and wood and features pictographs and iconography. The press release notes the sculpture is “rooted in the Anishinabek storytelling tradition, intersecting cultures and life in the northern woodlands”.

This show features interviews with Wintertime Stories co-creator Nyle Johnston and Eric Rumble, the Coordinator, or Arts and Creative Industries at City of Kitchener, who helped facilitate the selection process for the artwork.

Watch a short film on the artwork here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiputhmpSH4

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-04-25- More Strong Mayor Powers Granted In Waterloo Region

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CKMS News -2025-04-25- More Strong Mayor Powers Granted In Waterloo Region

dan kellar
Waterloo Region, ON – On May 1st, mayors of 169 small and medium sized municipalities will be granted Strong Mayor Powers by the provincial government, giving them new abilities to direct hirings, enact by-laws, and set their budgets with less democratic participation by city councillors or the public. Since 2023, 47 other mayors have been granted the new status.

The conservative government says that the powers will help municipalities deliver on provincial priorities like building homes and infrastructure.  However, data from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation  shows that housing starts were down 33% in January and February compared to the same months in 2024, leading critics, including the Green Party to question the effectiveness of the Strong Mayor strategy.

This show starts with an interview with MPP Clancy and moves onto interviews with the Mayor of Wilmot Township Natasha Salonen, and Mayor Sandy Shantz of Woolwich Township, who are both about to be granted the Strong Mayor Powers.  Also included is a statement CKMS News received from Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-04-17- Local cycling route finder app rolls in with big update

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CKMS News -2025-04-17- Local cycling route finder app rolls in with big update.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – With the launch of “version 2” of the Cycling Guide, Mark Connolly told CKMS News that the app will find “the best available, low stress, cycling friendly routes available” to get a cyclist to a destination.  Connolly, who is the executive director of the not-for-profit Cycling Guide Foundation, and a programmer on the project spoke with CKMS News earlier this week.

Cycling Guide is a free app that uses data from the open-source Open Street Maps to create routes to a set destination that favours safe cycling infrastructure. The app will show a cyclist where they may encounter more stressful riding situations through a colour coded system, and allow a user to select the route that best fits their comfort levels.

Version 2 of the app still only provides routes in Waterloo Region and Guelph, but Connolly told CKMS News that it is beta testing in Ottawa, Sarnia-Lambton, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News – 2025-04-16- “Elbows Up For Climate” action and economic sovereignty in Waterloo

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CKMS News – 2025-04-16- “Elbows Up For Climate” action and economic sovereignty in Waterloo.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – Waterloo mayor Dorothy McCabe has joined more than 160 other civic leaders across the country to demand that Canada’s federal and provincial leaders respond to the ” dual threats of tariffs and climate change” by taking bold action on climate initiatives and supporting the national economy.

The demands are presented in a letter released by the Elbows Up for Climate Campaign, a group of elected municipal officials, and argues that the status-quo approaches to climate action is not working. The letter proposes “five bold and achievable ideas the next federal government can implement as soon as it is elected, to tariff-proof our economy and create a jobs boom in every community”

To bring the letter’s demands into a local context, CKMS News spoke with Mayor McCabe, who discussed climate risks in Waterloo Region, actions the city is taking to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and what economic sovereignty looks like in the region.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-04-11- Kitchener’s April Pools initiative launches to promote water safety

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CKMS News -2025-04-11- Kitchener’s April Pools is in full stroke for water safety

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – April Pools month is in full stroke in Kitchener as the city’s Aquatics team is raising funds to directly support the Water Smart safety programs and offset the costs of participation in swimming programs.

A press release from the city reads “Water safety is no joke.  In Canada, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury death among children 1-4 years of age, and the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10 years of age”.

Throughout April, the admissions on Saturdays and Sundays at three of the city’s pools, Forest Heights, Breithaupt Centre Pool, and the Grand River Rec Complex will go towards the safety programs.  There will also be free water safety resources available at all indoor pools across the city.

This show features an interview with Alex Geisel, Supervisor of Aquatics and Programs for the city of Kitchener.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News – 2025-04-09- Kitchener named as a “Tree City of the World”

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CKMS News – 2025-04-09- Kitchener named as a “Tree City of the World”

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Kitchener has joined 21 other cities in Canada and 210 cities in 24 countries around the planet in being named a Tree City of the World by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and The Arbour Day foundation.  The designation reflects the city’s efforts in “tree care, policy development, community engagement and maintaining a healthy urban canopy”.  Nearby, both Hamilton and Cambridge also hold the leafy designation.

In a press release announcing the designation, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said “As we look to celebrate Earth Day later this month, this recognition is a wonderful indicator that we’re moving in the right direction for our community, our forest and our planet!”

This show features an interview with Joshua Shea, the Manager of Forestry and Natural Area  Management at the city of Kitchener. Shea reflects on the Tree City of the World designation, speaks about an upcoming free tree giveaway, and discusses his most appreciated trees. For more information visit kitchener.ca/trees

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-04-04- Sensory Backpack initiative launched in Waterloo

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CKMS News -2025-04-04- Sensory Backpack initiative launched in Waterloo

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – The city of Waterloo has unveiled a new tool to support the sensory needs of community members while visiting city facilities, the sensory backpack.  Packed with items to help individuals reduce or increase sensory input, such as noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and fidget tools, the new initiative was launched on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness day.

The backpacks also include information about Waterloo’s inclusion services, and items for self-regulation and communication such as a timer, a drawing pad, and Picture Exchange Communications System (PECS), which allows folks to communicate through pictures.

These kits fit in with the city’s reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion framework, and are accessible to any visitor at 6 city run facilities. Similar programs have been launched in other Ontario cities including Ottawa, Toronto, and Barrie.

This show features an interview with Molly Riediger, the Inclusion Services Coordinator at the City of Waterloo.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-04-03- Consulting along the path of Baden’s Prime Ministers statue project

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CKMS News -2025-04-03- Consulting along the path of Baden’s Prime Ministers statue project

dan kellar
Baden, ON – Another round of public consultations has wrapped up regarding the Prime Ministers’ Path project in Baden. A list of recommendations on possible next steps for the controversial statue project will be delivered to Wilmot council at a special meeting on May 12th.

The most recent round of consultations were accompanied with the creation of a 12 member working group made up of residents who worked on the draft recommendations for the project. The draft recommendations are focused on governance and project oversight, funding, inclusion, education, location, and the project’s place in an era of truth and reconciliation.

This show features an interview with Denise Soueidan-O’Leary, the co-lead facilitator of the public engagement, and a project manager at the consulting firm Lura.  More information about the Prime Ministers Path project, including all of the draft recommendations, can be found at engagewr.ca/prime-ministers-path.

 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-03-28- HART Hub roll-out to begin as government forces closure of CTS site

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CKMS News -2025-03-28- HART Hub roll-out to begin as government forces closure of CTS site.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – On April 1st the local Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub will begin operating, with provincial funding, with services which replace or build upon those offered by the current Consumption and Treatment Services site.  Notably absent from the HART Hub spaces will be drug testing machines and supervised consumption of drugs, including overdose reversal, which are foundational to the harm reduction model of addictions support.

In August 2024 the Ontario government announced that it would be forcing the closure of the CTS site in downtown Kitchener on March 31st 2025.

This show features an interview with Tara Groves-Taylor, the CEO of Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo, the lead operator of Kitchener’s HART Hub. A statement from the Ministry of Health about the CTS closures that was sent to CKMS News is also included.

For more background on this issue, see the CKMS News interview with Kitchener’s CTS operator Sanguen Health Centre

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-03-20- With an election imminent, MP Mike Morrice reflects on what has been accomplished and what lies ahead

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CKMS News -2025-03-20- MP Mike Morrice ready to return to Ottawa as prorogued parliament resumes on Monday

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – As the prorogued parliament gets set to resume on March 24th, Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice says he remains focused on his work and the needs of his constituents. However, he may not get the chance as reports suggest that an election could be called as early as Sunday.

CKMS News spoke with the Green Party MP ahead of his return to Ottawa. The interview covered the work delayed by the prorogation, the likelihood of an early election, election reform, and the implementation of the Canadian Disability Benefit. Morrice also discussed how the government can support all residents of Waterloo Region through the economic uncertainty created by the unfolding tariff war between Canada and the United States.

MP Morrice also responded to questions about ending Canadian complicity in the genocide of Palestinians and the recent letter signed by 29 MPs calling for Canada to implement a two-way arms Embargo between itself and Israel, adopt a clear definition of anti-Palestinian racism, and to recognize the sovereign and independent state of Palestine.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-03-19- Strike continues as regional workers demand “a fair wage for essential work”.

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CKMS News -2025-03-19- CUPE 1656 strike continues as regional workers demand “a fair wage for essential work”

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Midway through week 3 of their strike, CUPE 1656 workers want the region to return to the table with “a fair deal”. The latest offer from the regional government, which they called “competitive”, was tabled on March 15th but was quickly rejected by the union as inadequate.

A rally is planned for 6:00pm on March 19th at the Region of Waterloo headquarters. The rally is taking place ahead of a regional council meeting. The region has said its “goal is to reach an agreement that continues to support employees and is fair for residents.” 

The union represents full and part-time workers who clean drinking water, provide airport services,  maintain regional roads and emergency vehicles, and provide landfill services to the Region of Waterloo. Additionally the union represents the trade workers including millwrights, HVAC, plumbing and signals who “keep water, traffic, and buildings running”. 

This show features an interview with CUPE 1656 president Phil Dominas.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-03-18- Waterloo council delays implementing Inclusionary Zoning rules amid “uncertainty”

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CKMS News -2025-03-18- Waterloo council delays implementing Inclusionary Zoning rules amid “uncertainty”

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – On March 3rd, the City of Waterloo voted to delay implementing inclusionary zoning bylaws which would have required developers to include some affordable units in any new condominium projects in areas around major transit stations.  The new by-law, which was approved in June 2024 would have gone into force at the end of March and the decision to delay implementation follows a similar decision in December of last year by Kitchener’s council.

City staff presented a report to council which argued that tariffs from America, the federal government’s restrictions on international students and immigrants, fluctuating interest rates, and the low resale price of condos, are all creating uncertainties in the building market. 

This show features audio from the council meeting and an interview with Lynn Intini, an eviction prevention and tenant organising worker at the Social development Centre of Waterloo Region.  Intini discusses inclusionary zoning, the focus on investment driven developments, housing needs vs housing demand, and non-market solutions to the housing crisis.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS news -2025-03-06- New mini-documentary series digs into “secretive” assembly of farmland in Wilmot township by regional government

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CKMS news -2025-03-06- New mini-documentary series digs into “secretive” assembly of farmland in Wilmot township by regional government

dan kellar
Wilmot Township, ON –  A new group of concerned residents has formed to support the farmers in Wilmot township whose lands  are being targeted by the regional government for an undisclosed industrial project. Since the Wilmot Civic Action Network (WilmotCAN) formed in December 2024, members have been raising awareness about the land grab and demanding accountability from local politicians. 

Beyond delegating to municipal councils, and confronting provincial politicians at public events, the group has also co-ordinated the creation of two mini-documentaries about the issue. A third video in the “Unearthed” series is in production.

This show features an interview with John Jordan, a founding member of WilmotCAN and a direct neighbour of the land targeted for purchase by the regional government. Jordan spoke to CKMS News about the Wilmot Civic Action Network, the mini-documentary series they are producing, and the lack of transparency around the project.

CKMS News reached out to Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr and Regional chairperson Karen Redman for comments about claims made in the videos and at council meetings, but did not receive a response.

For more on the land assembly check out this piece from CKMS News: https://www.frequencynews.ca/news/farmers-bring-over-40-tractors-into-downtown-kitchener-to-protest-wilmot-township-land-expropriation/

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-03-04- City of Waterloo launches “Get READI” plan to address systemic inequity.

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CKMS News – 2025-03-04- City of Waterloo launches “Get READI” plan to address systemic inequity.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – As Waterloo works to incorporate reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion, the launch of the Get READI plan in mid-February will now guide all city divisions as they plan and provide programs and services for the community. 

While announcing the launch, mayor Dorothy McCabe said that the work the city does must reflect the growing size and diversity of the city’s population. The city has been working towards this goal since 2017 to address historical systemic denial of equity.

This show features an interview with Divya Handa, the director of reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion at the city of Waterloo.  Handa discusses the Get READI plan including the genesis and origin of the city’s work, the cooperation needed in drafting the plan, how implementation will happen, and addresses some of the critiques of DEI that have been raised.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-02-26- Speed management initiatives put the brakes on driver speeds in Waterloo.

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CKMS News -2025-02-26- Speed management initiatives put the brakes on driver speeds in Waterloo.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – The second progress report on Waterloo’s Speed Management Plan was presented to city council on Monday, and in most cases, drivers are slowing down.  The report looked at the data gathered before and after new speed limits were posted on neighbourhood streets across most wards in the city. Limits were reduced to 40km/h in most places and to 30km/h in school zones and ward 7, the area around uptown.

Across the affected areas, city staff found an average reduction in driver speed to be around 5km/h, which according to a 2012 report form Ontario Coroners office would amount to fewer deaths and less severe injuries in the case of a crash with another vehicle or someone not in a car. City staff told CKMS News that the number of crashes and other incidents has reduced since the speed reductions initiative commenced.

This show features an interview with Jenny Renaud, the manager of transport engineering at the City of Waterloo.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-02-20- New exhibitions at city of waterloo museum a “space for reflection” on the region’s colonial roots.

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CKMS News -2025-02-20- New exhibitions at City of Waterloo Museum a “space for reflection” on the region’s colonial roots

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – New exhibits which explore Indigenous histories and resilience have opened at the City of Waterloo Museum.  These “impactful and informative” exhibits are a “space for reflection” about the effects of colonialism “in our own backyard”.  

Two of the exhibits are Killing the Indian in the Child: Generations Lost and Bi-Giwen: Coming Home – Truth-Telling from the Sixties Scoop, both created by the organisation Legacy of Hope.  The Sixties Scoop refers to actions by provincial governments which intensified in the 1960’s where Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities and adopted out to primary Euro-Canadian middle class families throughout North America. The Sixties Scoop was a continuation of colonial violence, and similar to Residential Schools the goal was assimilating Indigenous children into “western society”.

The other two exhibits are Bead the Tract from the organisation Protect the Tract which is a beadwork representation of the Haldimand Tract, and graphic recordings by Mohawk artist Dakota Brant. Graphic recordings are large-scale colourful drawings with written information, which are used for translating spoken word by facilitators during community engagement.

In a press release announcing the new exhibits, the city says “these exhibitions delve into the lasting impacts of the Residential School system and the Sixties Scoop while amplifying Indigenous voices, resilience and the ongoing journey toward Reconciliation.”

This show features an interview with Jennifer Huber, the program and engagement associate with the City of Waterloo museum, which is located in Conestoga Mall on King Street North in Waterloo. Admission is Free.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-02-19- Non-partisan pre-election forum to focus on building local community power

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CKMS News -2025-02-19- Non-partisan pre-election forum to focus on building local community power

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Ahead of the provincial election and in the midst of several overlapping social, environmental, and economic crises, the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region is hosting the first in a series of community discussions centered on building local community power. 

The first event, called Cutting Through the Noise: A Forum for Building Community Power, is happening on Friday February 21st. Describing the impetus to organise the event’s webpage reads “history has shown us that social change is possible”.

David Alton, the facilitator of the event told CKMS News “I don’t want any political party to think they just get the vote of people in waterloo region, they have to earn it”

This show features an interview with David Alton, the lived expertise program facilitator at the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region, and the facilitator of this first event which runs from 7-9pm on Friday, February 21 St John the Evangelist Anglican Church, on Duke St in downtown Kitchener.

 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-02-13- Delegates warn of increased precarity and homelessness due to continued inaction on renoviction bylaw

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CKMS News -2025-02-13- Delegates warn of increased precarity and homelessness due to continued inaction on renoviction bylaw.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – With hundreds of tenants in the city of Kitchener currently facing renoviction, local residents and housing advocates were pleading to city council on Monday night to fast-track by-laws to protect renters from “bad actor” landlords who use renovations as an excuse to evict tenants and increase rental prices. 

While Kitchener council has previously asked city staff to report back in June on the feasibility and jurisdictional issues of a renoviction by-law, 11 delegates, all in favour of stronger protections, argued that the city already has enough information to create new rules. Toronto, London, and Hamilton have all approved renoviction by-laws with Hamilton’s being enacted at the start of this year.

Several delegates at the meeting are members of the grassroots advocacy group Waterloo Region ACORN, who has been organizing renters facing renoviction at several buildings including 250 Frederick St and 141 Borden Ave. 

In the end, councillors voted for the status quo, and staff will still have until June to gather more information.

This show features audio from the February 10th council meeting, including delegates, city staff, and councillors.  

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CKMS News -2025-02-05- Waterloo council endorses “sobering” homelessness report

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CKMS News -2025-02-05- Waterloo council endorses “sobering” homelessness report

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – Waterloo city council voted unanimously to endorse the recent report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario which found that more than 80,000 people were homes in Ontario in 2024, a rise of more than 25% since 2022.  

The report, titled “Municipalities Under Pressure: The Growing Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis” was released on January 9th of this year.

Beyond the numbers, the report offers ideas to address homelessness by focusing on long-term housing instead of the go-to actions of creating temporary emergency shelters and promoting police backed enforcement of property laws. 

This show features audio from the January 27th meeting where councillor Vasic and mayor McCabe spoke about the findings in the report, and heard from staff member Sandy Little who created a summary of the report for council.  Little notes that the conclusions and recommendations from the report are being investigated at the city and region.

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CKMS News -2025-01-25- City staff share progression on parking space reductions for developments with designated affordable units

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CKMS News -2025-01-25- City staff share progression on parking space reductions for developments with designated affordable units

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – During the city council meeting on January 27th, Waterloo policy planner Adam Zufferli presented an update on the city’s plan to reduce the number of parking spaces required for housing developments which include at least 25% affordable housing units.

Fewer parking spaces translates into a smaller footprint of each unit and a lower cost of development.  The parking space reduction initiative fits into the city’s affordable housing strategy and is a part of the city’s Housing Accelerator Fund plan that was approved by the federal government in April 2024. 

Council voted to receive the report and to instruct staff to “finalize the process, legal agreement template, and monitoring framework for reviewing parking reduction requests for affordable housing units”.  Public comments on the plan were due on the day of the presentation and Zufferli mentioned they will be included in the final presentation in a month’s time.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News 2025-01-24- A deep connection to place brings new classical composer back to Waterloo to launch debut album.

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CKMS News -2025-01-24- A deep connection to place brings new classical composer back to Waterloo to launch debut album.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – The Icarus Album, which is the debut work of new classical composer Erik Lankin, is being released today with a listening party and discussion at the Waterloo North Mennonite Church, a place with deep connection to his family. Lankin, who “grew up slowly in Kitchener-Waterloo” and is now based in Montreal, has reinterpreted the myth of Icarus and Daedalus for this album, as a metaphor for losing his father to mental illness.

Lankin says the musicians involved in the project are some of canada’s top classical soloists and neoclassical producers.

In an early review of The Icarus Album, Robin B. James of Igloo Magazine wrote “This amazing work of Erik Lankin creates a new triumph, which I would place high in the pantheon of significant human musical expressions.”

This show features an interview with The Icarus Album composer Erik Lankin. The listening party is a free event which starts at 7pm.

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CKMS News -2025-01-22- Extreme cold threatens lives while regional government initiates action.

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CKMS News -2025-01-22- Extreme cold elicits advocate pressure and forces regional government action

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – As daytime temperatures dipped below -20 degrees this week in Waterloo Region, anti-poverty advocates in Waterloo Region demanded action from municipal governments to open more indoor space for homeless community members. In response, the region teamed with local service providers to open a new 20 person emergency overnight warming space in Kitchener. A second emergency overnight warming space will open early next week in Cambridge.

This show features interviews with anti-poverty and housing advocate Regan Sunshine Brussé and councillor Jim Erb of the regional government. 

Brussé discusses the human rights approach to housing which the regional government adopted in the 2024 Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and offers her thoughts on how to address the extreme cold this winter.  Councillor Erb says the regional government and staff are working diligently to address the extreme cold, and he responds to ideas advocates have brought forward such as using Grand River Transit’s bus fleet or regional properties for emergency warming sites.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-01-17- MT Space hosting “Works-in-Progress” mini festival this weekend

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CKMS News – 2025-01-17- MT Space hosting “Works-in-Progress” Mini Festival this weekend.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Theatre lovers in Waterloo Region will have a chance this week to peek behind the curtain and experience some of the creative process involved in creating a play, as MT Space hosts their first ever “Works-in-Progress” mini-festival, part of their 20th year celebrations.

Patrons are invited to the Registry theatre for presentations of plays which are still being worked on by their creators.  Putting the “process over the product” each play will give audiences a glimpse into the creative process, and provide them the opportunity to give feedback to the playwrights.

This show features an interview with MT Space artistic director Pam Patel. Patel discusses the themes of the plays being presented and speaks about the value of developing a piece of theatre with audience feedback. Visit MTSpace.ca for more information about the festival.  Tickets for shows on January 17th and 18th are still available and are pay-what-you-can. 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-01-17- Art exhibition brings Palestinian culture and heritage to Kitchener’s city hall

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CKMS News -2025-01-17- Art exhibition brings Palestinian culture and heritage to Kitchener’s city hall

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – The second annual Palestinian Art Exhibition will take place at Kitchener’s city hall this weekend and will feature poetry, music, dancing, visual artworks, and several interactive workshops.  Organised by grassroots groups Sporas Scattered, the exhibition is “celebrating Palestinian culture, heritage, and resistance”.

This year, organisers have added an art camp to the exhibition geared for youth and have included workshops on Tatreez embroidery and Dabka dancing.

Organisers are also hoping folks will come out and celebrate the tentative ceasefire that has been announced in Palestine after 15 months of devastating violence.

This show features an interview with Malak Sameh an organiser with Sporas Scattered. The exhibition runs from 9am to 9pm on Friday January 17th through the 19th and is free to attend. For a full schedule of events, check out the Sporas Scattered instagram page and look for the pinned post.