Flow | Courant | Psiw-Tepos
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | Menahqesk (UNB Saint John + Tucker Park Beach)
A gathering in motion—the constant flow of water and knowledge through story and stewardship.
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We warmly invite you to
Flow | Courant | Psiw-Tepos,
a layered community gathering held during Ocean Week Canada in collaboration with partners across academia, arts, and community.
Honouring place in Wabanaki territory, this day flows between knowledge, care, and kinship—with each moment inviting your presence, at your own pace and rhythm.
All elements are rain or shine and free of charge. We adapt to change as needed; we respond to the call to be present together, however the day may unfold. The space is designed to be accessible and barrier-free, with alternative ways to contribute and participate.
Water-based activities require advance registration or invitation to ensure safety and equipment are in place.
Come as you are, and as you are able.
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Flow | Courant | Psiw-Tepos is a free, participatory, and multi-layered community gathering held during Ocean Week Canada. It blends academic dialogue, land-based learning, healing walks, and shoreline celebration in Wabanaki territory.
Rooted in Indigenous perspectives and interdisciplinary practice, this day honours water as teacher—reminding us that knowledge, like water, is alive and in motion.
Participants are invited to engage in one or more “currents” throughout the day, including a scholarly framework defence, a healing walk and dandelion harvest, a Palestinian BBQ and storytelling circle, and a floating dialogue on pedagogy, place, and relationships.
This event is presented in collaboration with Ampersand Collaborations Perluète, Ocean Week Canada, UNB Saint John, UNB Associated Alumni, the City of Saint John, Atlantic Palestinian Society – Saint John, Go Fundy Events, local Elders, community storytellers, and the UNB Biological Sciences Society.
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Follow the Currents: Follow Your Own Flow
Like water, this gathering moves in many directions. You’re welcome to join one current—or follow them all.
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Current Pesq (1): Witnessing & Wisdom
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | UNB Saint John
Tetrahedron: Oral
Join a public scholarly defence of an interdisciplinary doctoral framework. Rooted in story and systems thinking, this is a rare opportunity to witness academia-in-motion—transparent, relational, and rigorous.
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Current Nis (2): Stewards of the Shoreline
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Tucker Park Beach
Site Setup & Community Care
Volunteers join the City of Saint John’s Green Machine and Community Trailer to prepare the site. This current grounds the day in collective care and mutual readiness.
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Current Nihi (3): Healing Walk, Harvest & Cleanup
1:15 PM | Meet at UNB trailhead (behind Beckett Residence)
Dandelions, Reflection, and Restoration
A contemplative walk through the Healing Forest, harvesting dandelions for tea and tending the land through trail and beach cleanup.
Move gently, listen deeply.
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Current New (4): Shoreline Gathering: Food, Song & Story
2:00 PM | Tucker Park Beach
Palestinian BBQ + Dandelion Tea + Circle of Voices
Celebrate connection with shared food, story, and song at the water’s edge. Trail cleanup continues along the beach.
Hear offerings from an Indigenous Elder, a senior settler, a trans veteran, an immigrant storyteller, and graduate students from the UNB Biological Sciences Society.
The BBQ includes halal, gluten-free, vegan, and meat options.
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Current Nan (5): Current Conversations – Paddling as Pedagogy
3:30 PM | Launch from Tucker Park Beach (By Invitation)
Depart in tandem kayak or powerboat for a floating dialogue landing at Brothers’ Island. This current enacts the Tetrahedron’s method—learning through place, movement, and relationship.
Advance registration is required for “Current Conversations: Paddling as Pedagogy” to ensure safety, supplies, and weather updates.
Contact: ampersand.stephany@gmail.com
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Closing the Circle
Concurrent with Current Conversations | Tucker Park Beach
As paddlers journey, stories and reflection continue onshore. We hold space at the edge of land and sea for those who remain or return. After signalling the close of our day, volunteers will gently assist with teardown and repacking for City pickup.
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Relational Grounding & Gifting
The name Flow | Courant | Psiw-Tepos honours movement across languages, waters, and ways of knowing. Elders, artists, and guests may offer reflections or names as gifts—welcomed with humility and gratitude.
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Place Acknowledgement
We gather on the traditional and unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik and Mi’kmaq peoples. We honour the rivers, languages, and relationships that sustain this place and our responsibilities within it.
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Is the Event Free?
Yes—all activities are free of charge. Water-based components are limited and available by invitation only. Please contact ampersand.stephany@gmail.com to discuss.
RAIN OR SHINE – activities will proceed as scheduled, with adjustments for weather as needed.
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Accessibility
Reach out so we can work together to make this space more meaningful and welcoming to you if something is missing.
- Languages Supported: English, French, Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Arabic are welcomed and represented in event materials
- Age Group: All ages welcome; family-friendly
- Format: In-person only (rain or shine, with shelter options)
- Physical Accessibility: Beach setup includes mobility accommodations; alternative formats available for physically active components
- Cultural Accessibility: Space is held for Indigenous, settler, immigrant, and newcomer perspectives. Gifting and name offerings are welcomed.
- Food Accessibility: Halal, gluten-free, vegan, and meat options available at no cost