For Private Groups & Events
Fostering Understanding, Sharing Knowledge and Building Relationships
Promoting Awareness
All of our programs can be adapted for individuals or private groups. We can work with families, clubs, cottager and tourist organizations, resorts, museums, festivals and more. Our workshops can accommodate people of all ages and abilities.
A Journey Begins sessions are conducted in a safe and respectful learning environment. We aim to promote greater awareness and understanding, fostering an opportunity for a connection towards active and sustained Truth and Reconciliation efforts.
Our goal is to provide all of our workshop participants with real time experiences to increase your understanding of Indigenous culture, ways of knowing and being.
Experiences
The Haudenosaunee Worldview
This multi-part workshop is the starting point for a learning journey. Participants are introduced to the original instructions given to the Haudenosaunee people, and gain an understanding of how they view the world.
The Maple Syrup Experience
This hands-on, interactive, outdoor workshop combines the traditional Haudenosaunee method of making maple syrup with stories, songs and teachings that connect to concepts of sustainability, stewardship, tradition and gratitude.
Making Traditional Water Drums
In this two day, immersive workshop, you will hand carve a traditional Haudenosaunee water drum using traditional tools and methods. While you work, you’ll share stories, songs and food over the fire with your fellow participants and instructors.
Benefits
A Journey Begins workshops are:
- Interactive, engaging, inclusive and fun
- Connected to your learning goals
- Customized to your individual needs
About Christopher
Christopher Stock’s teachings are rooted in Indigenous culture, history, and languages that have survived for generations. With over 30 years of experience working with learners of all ages, Chris has honed a unique teaching style that provides an interactive cultural experience, offering participants the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Recently I was gifted the honour to engage in a 2 day workshop with Christopher Stock (and his Family) from ‘A Journey Begins’ learning how to make an authentic wooden Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) water drum. He and his family were very welcoming, very organized and thoughtful in their preparations for us, offering different options for decorating our drums, so that they would be as unique as we are. They were very respectful and created an atmosphere of acceptance with warmth and encouragement. I would attend any other workshops through ‘A Journey Begins’ in the future in a heartbeat, and fully recommend both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people to attend one! You will not be disappointed. It was a great way to spend a weekend!
Jennifer Fleming, Indigenous Correctional Programs Officer