East End Arts is excited to support this program led by Public Great this October! Scroll down to learn more.
Join this October for Don River Awakens—a festival of art, storytelling, and collective movement celebrating the ecological and cultural rebirth of the Don River and Port Lands. Through public art, movement, and workshops, The Don River Awakens engages community in celebrating the renewal of the Port Lands and the Don River. The project blends Indigenous knowledge, local artistry, and ecological storytelling to inspire awareness and shape the long-term cultural and community leadership on the island.
The free public procession and accompanying workshops will explore and celebrate the various intersections of nature, community, art, and place. Attend one event or join in for the full experience. Scroll down to learn about the different ways you can participate.
This project is created by The Public Great, with Red Pepper Spectacle Arts, Lost Rivers, Indigenous Artists including Kay Jones and Joseph Sagaj, and supported by East End Arts, the Toronto Arts Council, Monumental, and the City of Toronto Parks Team!
1. 
Make for the Don: Commemorative Lantern Workshop with Red Pepper Spectacle
Sun, Oct 19 • 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Ave.
FREE
Drop-in workshop
“Create glowing lanterns with Red Pepper Spectacle Arts in this hands-on workshop. Add your story and light to the Don River Awakens.”
REGISTER HERE
2. Make for the Don: Family Puppet Workshop with Kayos Jones
Mon, Oct 20 • 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Ave.
FREE
Drop-in workshop
“Join artist Kayos Jones to create fish puppets and textiles, blending art, ecology, and storytelling for the Don River Awakens procession.”
REGISTER HERE
3. On View: Biiskaabe Zaa’Emaanag (Return of the Salmon) by Joseph Sagaj
Sat, Oct 25 • 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Biidaasige Park, 51 Commissioners St.
FREE
Drop-in anytime
“Pause with Biiskaabe Zaa’Emaanag, a temporary installation by Joseph Sagaj, honoring renewal and resilience along the Don River.”
REGISTER HERE
4. Get to Know the Don River: A Lost Rivers Tour
Sat, Oct 25 • 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Biidaasige Park, 51 Commissioners St.
FREE
“Discover the hidden histories of the Don River on a guided walk surfacing its Indigenous roots, industrial past, and journey of renewal.”
REGISTER HERE
5. The Don River Awakens: A Community Costume and Puppet Procession
Sat, Oct 25 • 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Biidaasige Park, 51 Commissioners St.
FREE
“Lanterns, puppets, and costumes light the Don River at dusk in a community procession celebrating renewal, art, and connection.”
REGISTER HERE
ABOUT THE PUBLIC GREAT
Public Great is a social impact collective working to cultivate community building and equitable urban development. It is cofounded by Wesley Lincoln Reibeling (he/him) and Jossue Velasquez (he/him). Together, they work with communities and public, private, and nonprofit entities to facilitate community led solutions to complex urban issues. Their team serves as conduits of community in order to center development in inclusivity.
Learn more about them at their Website