Ancestral Voices

About Ancestral Voices: Belonging and Identity in Canada

Meet and learn from established and emerging artists and authors who represent diverse Indigenous, Caribbean, African and Black communities. Discover our shared histories, our unique lived experiences, and the past, present, and future of own-voices storytelling in this conversation series hosted and conceptualized by Kim Wheatley and Maxine Gordon Palomino.

This series of events will be done virtually, with some sessions ideal for classrooms and others ideal for adults. Visit your library’s website for program updates and more information. 

This program series is presented in collaboration with York, Durham, and Peel Libraries.

About Our Hosts:

Maxine Gordon Palomino

is an award-winning certified storyteller {emerging), lawyer (Ontario & Jamaica) and partner at Palomino Gordon Law Professional Corporation, and co-developer and host of Ancestral Voices. She has over ten years of experience as a public speaker and served on a community task force providing recommendations on the dismantling of anti-Black racism. Maxine is dedicated to championing own-voices storytelling, and to highlighting the interconnection of heritage and cultural stories to belonging and identity. Of Caribbean heritage, she has presented at international and national storytelling events, and to college students in the USA as part of their communication and diversity studies. 

Kim Wheatley

is an award-winning public speaker, event organizer, writer, ceremonial practitioner and Traditional Anishinaabe Grandmother, and the co-developer and host of Ancestral Voices. She has over 30 years of experience providing Anishinaabe Consultation services locally, nationally and internationally, and has worked with most major universities in southern Ontario, many colleges, public and private schools, government organizations, special interest groups, environmental groups, corporations, institutions and spiritual groups. Kim’s intention is to serve those she collaborates with to provide authentic voiced support, insights and truths.

Upcoming Programs

Wednesday, September 13 at 7 PM

Ancestral Voices

Past Programs

Please look at our previous programs as part of this program and view the recordings.