Indigenous Water Stories on The Grand River: A Sunset Riverboat Cruise Event - June 12
Indigenous Water Stories on The Grand River: A Sunset Riverboat Cruise Event
On the evening of Thursday, June 12th, 2025, All Things Tea is more than honoured to kick off its inaugural riverboat sunset cruise event, welcoming esteemed Elder, published author, and powerful storyteller, Norma Jacobs (Wolf Clan, Cayuga Nation of the Great Haudenosaunee).
Given there is a Treaty along this beautiful waterway, the Grand River, it only makes sense to feature a storyteller from Six Nations, and it's with great respect and our good fortune to be able to feature Norma (Cayuga name: Gae Ho Hwako, meaning "holding the canoe").
As we set sail from Caledonia at 6:30 pm, Norma will share with us Indigenous water stories, while helping us understand the Indigenous perspective of and relationship with water. All Things Tea will be serving cups of premium loose-leaf tea and treats, and every guest will go home with an Indigenous-designed porcelain teacup. Event-specific details are below, but first...a little more on our esteemed storyteller:
A beloved figure to be sure, Norma Jacobs has served as Elder-in-Residence at WLU where she helped Indigenous students as they sought to reconnect with their Indigenous identities. She taught courses at WLU, co-leading conversational circles with students (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) who battled with understanding the impact of colonial systems on Indigenous families, communities, and culture. Norma is a published author, putting into writing her experiences and wisdom. She is a knowledge-holder of Haudenosaunee cultural ways, practices, and languages. She's a Longhouse Faith Keeper and - as mentioned - a deeply respected Elder of the Wolf Clan in the Cayuga Nation. Norma has also been an advisor to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In short, Norma Jacobs is a gem and uses her oral tradition of storytelling to educate, connect, heal, and inspire. We hope you'll join us for a spectacular evening as the sun dips into the Grand River. There are limited spaces available for this event, so don't hesitate to sign up if you are interested. There are no refunds for this event. We sail, rain or shine (don't worry, there's a lovely inside room for us to enjoy!).
EVENT DETAILS
Date: June 12, 2025
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm (the cruise leaves at 6:30pm sharp - please plan to be 15-20 minutes early)
Address: Grand River Cruises, 36 Brant County Rd 22, Caledonia, ON N3W 2G9
Cost: $125.00 (click here to register for your spot!)
Additional Info
- Each guest will be served loose-leaf tea onboard, which will be accompanied by some light tea treats
- The cruise has a bar service, which would be paid by guests (cash, credit, or debit)
- There will be around one hour of storytelling with Q&A and you will have plenty of time to take in the views outside as we cruise into the sunset (be ready to take pictures - there is always beautiful wildlife to spot - herons/birds, muskrat, beaver, etc.)
- The riverboat is wheelchair accessible and there is an accessible washroom onboard
- Each guest will go home with a stunning Indigenous-designed porcelain teacup as a memento of our time together