National Poetry Month celebrates ‘Land & Sea’ with Indigenous voices in Toronto

A collaborative celebration of Indigenous storytelling and environmental reflection will take center stage this National Poetry Month, as Native Women in the Arts (NWIA), The League of Canadian Poets, and the University of Toronto First Nations House present National Poetry Month 2026 — Land & Sea on Thursday, April 30.

Held at the Teaching Lodge in Toronto, the free event will feature an evening of poetry readings headlined by Cree poet and broadcaster Rosanna Deerchild, alongside five selected Indigenous readers.

The 2026 theme, “Land & Sea,” invites participants to reflect on the spiritual and reciprocal relationship between people and the natural world. Rooted in Indigenous teachings, the theme emphasizes water and land as living, sacred entities—sources of knowledge, responsibility, and continuity. Organizers encourage poets and audiences alike to engage with these ideas through writing, reflection, and shared experience.

“Every stone, stream, mountain, and drop of water is a teacher,” the event description notes, calling on participants to honor these relationships through acts of care and gratitude.

The evening program will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and includes opportunities for emerging Indigenous poets to share original work aligned with the theme. Selected readers will receive an honorarium of $150 CAD. Pre-registration is required by April 27.

Attendees will also be able to connect with the editorial team behind the Bobbi Lee Journal, a student-led publication dedicated to showcasing Indigenous scholarly and creative work across disciplines and mediums.

Guest artist Rosanna Deerchild, from O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation, is widely recognized for her contributions to literature and broadcasting. She is the author of three poetry collections and recipient of the 2025 Indigenous Voices Award for poetry. Deerchild is also the host of Unreserved on CBC Radio, where she highlights Indigenous culture and community voices.

The event is part of a broader National Poetry Month initiative supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, and Canadian Heritage.

Organizers say the gathering aims not only to celebrate poetry, but also to strengthen community ties and elevate Indigenous perspectives in Canada’s literary landscape.

Admission is free, though space is limited. Registration is available through the University of Toronto event portal, and further inquiries can be directed to the First Nations House resource centre.