OTTAWA - Ottawa Public Library (OPL) joins forces with Library and Archives Canada (LAC) to present to Ottawa families a unique storytelling experience paired with a hands-on basket-making workshopwith the Three Sisters Artist Collectivecomposed of Claire, Emily,and Mairi Brascoupé.
This in-person programwill take place on Saturday,September 14 at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. Registration is open on Eventbritefor the following time slots: 1 pm, 2:30 pm and 4 pm. These workshops will be offered in English only.
Participants will have the opportunity to listen to Algonquin stories before designingand makingtheir own paper birchbark basket inspired by traditional Algonquin craftsmanship. This event is aforetaste of the rich cultural collaboration between OPL and LAC and a preview of the hands-on, creativeand inclusive programming that will be offered at Ādisōke, future home of OPL’s Central Branch and LAC’s public services, when it opens in 2026.
The three sisters: Claire, Emily, and Mairi Brascoupéare members of KitiganZibi Anishinabegand residein Ottawa on Algonquin Territory. They have been chosen to illustrate the interior and exterior windows of Ādisōke, to showcasethe art and culture of Algonquin territory.
“I like that even when people are inside the building, they’llbe able to reflect on the nature found on Algonquin territory. When people visit the Ādisōkefacility, they will have the chance to reflect on the stories and history of the land.”,saysClaire Brascoupé
Their multidisciplinary work spans digital and analogtechniques, including birch-bark biting, beadwork, printmaking, digital illustration, animationand sculpture. They blend traditional art forms, passed down through generations, with contemporary materials and methods. Their collective practice aims to introduce Algonquin design and knowledge into public spaces, fostering engagement, questions, understanding, connection, and inclusion.
The Libraryactively participatesin and contributes to national truth and reconciliation efforts by offering a variety of learning opportunities about the history, cultureand voices of Indigenous peoples. On September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, sevenOPL branches will be open for this purpose:
For more information and to stay updated on program details, visit OPL’s website: BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca