Message from the Gathering: Winter 2025 Feast

St. John’s, NL – First Light held the first in a new series of seasonal feasts, called the Gathering of Voices, on November 18, 2025. Community members, Elders, First Light staff, and representatives from government and community organizations came together to share stories, reflect, and enjoy a meal in community.

From more than 85 individuals sharing their stories in 11 circle conversations in response to two invited storytellers. There were five main themes in the knowledge shared: 

• The education system does not include accurate information about Indigenous people in Newfoundland and Labrador. This must change. Participants shared that gaps and misrepresentations in public education continue to fuel ignorance and racism faced by our community every day.
• There is a clear need for visible, affirming representations of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and languages to support identity, belonging, and pride.
• Many described firsthand experiences of racism in healthcare and emphasized the need for cultural safety and anti-racism training across health systems.
• There are significant barriers to care for Indigenous people, both in rural and remote communities and in urban centres, which lead to delayed or unsafe care.
• Indigenous communities are strong and we must support one another in the face of systemic inequity and create ways to channel our frustrations into advocacy.

The full Message from the Gathering can be downloaded here.

Media Contact