JILLIAN MORRIS IN PIECES

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Last November, we debuted this theatre short that I wrote. I got some great feedback, so I submitted it to the Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival 38 with @nativeearthperformingarts . And here I am 1 year later preparing to showcase it to a Toronto audience! Thank you for believing in this project. I'm hella nervous and hella excited!!

The festival takes place on Nov 21-30. The Curse of Stolen Seeds will have 2 performances, Nov 27&30, at the Aki Studio (Regent Park area) in Toronto. New producers, new cast, which means I can sit back and see my creation come to life.

I hope this is the beginning of a new venture for me. I already have another story in the works. And considering extending this one to a full-length play. And it all started with "Community theatre, that looks like fun." 😅

I am grateful to those in my life who pushed me 'out on the stage' before I thought I was ready. I'm so grateful. 👀 at you @jenniferpodemski. And the many friends and family who have supported me through this beautiful adventure in the arts. Already so excited to have some of you committed to coming! It means everything 🥰

As September brings in a return to busyness, I wanted to share my gratitude for time spent with family, friends, and self this summer.

I spent 5 days in mid-August with a group of 7 women. Camping, paddling, sharing stories, and eating really delicious food! This was a profound experience for me - no contact with the outside world; nature, our only distraction. I highly recommend, with the right group of people 😉.

Next up was 8 days of exploring NS & NB - visiting family, Cape Breton, and Whale watching in St. Andrews were big highlights.

I didn't capture all the music experiences this summer, but there were a few - Burnstick was one of my favs! Beautiful musical duo and couple! I am so glad for Collingwood's access to live music...often free too!

I needed this reset. I needed the space to let go of some old stories. Stillness is such a gift. One I need to give myself more often.

We've had a visitor the past few days!! 😍

My book went live today at Amazon.ca (and all regions)! I am riddled with nerves 😅

I hope the pieces included in the collection resonate, intrigue, comfort...ultimately, evoke emotion and examination. All the poetry included was written during my tenure as Collingwood's Poet Laureate. I see it as a commemorative project to continue to give to the local arts community and beyond.

A huge thank you to @Ontarioartscouncil for the funding to publish this collection! And to @townofcollingwood for support of this event!

If you're in the area and are able, please join me to celebrate the release of born, genes, and quash! It is a free event with live music, conversation, and book signing. I will have copies on hand for purchase.

#collingwoodpoetlaureate #Indigenousarts #poetry #publishedauthor

My poetry book is finally coming! Join me in celebrating. We have a great evening planned, I'll share some of my poetry, my friend Fran Bouwman will join me in conversation, and a very special musical addition, JD Crosstown, will perform. Of course, books will be on hand for purchase as well.

Attendance is free, but space is limited. Find tickets at Simcoestreettheatre.ca.

I look forward to sharing my enormous gratitude to everyone who has encouraged me and kept me motivated. The publication process takes patience, and I made it through because of all of you!

Where: Simcoe Street Theatre, Collingwood
When: February 27th
Time: 7pm

What a way to wrap up a year of Indigenous storytelling! I don't yet know what the future holds for this series, but for now, I will hold onto the blessings it's brought.

So many people contributed to making this series a huge success. I don't know how to adequately express my gratitude. For those who supported by buying tickets for this or any/all of the events, you are so appreciated ✨️. To the storytellers who brought messages of inspiration, connection, humility, and hope, niawenkowa, thank you so much! To the team BTS, you know how I feel about you 🫶. And to my family, who not just put up with my obsession with this series but cheered me on all along the way ❤️ - a special thanks to AJ (@jaydria.bean) who jumped at every opportunity to be a part of this - you tie for first place for my best creation ever 😅.

This event was an especially vulnerable one as I debuted my first theatre short. We hit some pretty hard bumps in the road as production developed. But this was my most important piece of art to date. It isn't just a story. It isn't just a play. We worked hard and made the best decisions we could for those who would receive the message and information it shared. We cared for every relationship and aspect of the play, and I will forever feel grateful for all involved at every phase!

I'm feeling incredibly humbled and blessed 🥰

The year-long Indigenous storytelling series we just wrapped up was about sharing successes, making room for new and seasoned storytellers from all mediums. It was about uplifting and promoting the arts because art has power, art is healing, and art is connecting. It casts light on the darkness to support our way out of it. But like anything with high reward, there is sacrifice.

I can sometimes feel unattachable from my art. I am unwilling to compromise the standards or quality of my art. It isn't simply something fun or entertaining that I'm creating. It is always pieces of me. It is always an exposure of the most vulnerable parts of me. Asking me to sacrifice my art is asking me to sacrifice myself.

This doesn't mean it's not difficult to hold steady to these values. Relationships are also highly important to me. Only in extreme circumstances would I let a relationship suffer to save the integrity of my art. And sometimes I just misjudge a situation - I may be expecting understanding that doesn't come. And time isn't always available to make a thorough assessment. What's right isn't always clear. But I do know that compassion for others can't exclude compassion for self.

Life will never stop catching me off guard. All I can do is take the experiences, wanted and unwanted, and accept what they teach me.

Tickets are now available for our fall event! We have another special lineup for this one. A theatre short The Curse of Stolen Seeds written by yours truly, a screening of Ghost Hunters of the Grand River with conversation, and music & closing by my big-hearted friend and mentor @myiingan_minonaakwhe 💫

This is the last of our planned shows...it's been a lot of organized chaos 😅. But we have a team who knows how to get creative to problem solve. We've been through it, yet not once have we considered giving up. It's been so worth it. The feedback from the Collingwood and surrounding communities has been humbling and heart lifting 🥰. I am full with gratitude.

Please join us to celebrate this past year of Indigenous story sharing. We would love to have you!

Tickets are available at Simcoestreettheatre.ca.

#indigenousarts #indigenous150plus #Indigenousstorytelling #townofcollingwood #experiencecollingwood #elephantthoughts #collingwoodpoetlaureate #Simcoestreettheatre.ca

With it being NDTR, it's a good a day as any to announce the upcoming publication of my debut poetry book ✨️. I expect to release it in the early months of 2025.

I have been told by several people that they've been waiting on this book. Since my Poet Laureateship is ending March 2025, I thought maybe it's time to make it a priority 😅. I have a title and much of the content but will be ferociously working on new pieces to include. I can't wait to share the final product! In the meantime, please follow along for updates.

Niawen, thanks to @ontarioartscouncil for supporting this project!

I wrote a theatre short! This is a 20-min play that we will be producing for the next installment of our Indigenous arts series. I am so excited to see this piece come to life!

Our event theme is all about confronting ghosts, and this play fits the bill. The Curse of Stolen Seeds is a hard-hitting story of estranged daughter and Mother, Autumn & Evelyn. Can they face the ghosts of the past together and find a path to healing?

These are paid roles, reflecting our commitment to honour the talent and time of participating artists. Auditions, rehearsals, and performance will all take place in Collingwood, ON.

If you or anyone you know might be a good fit, please dm or send me an email. Auditions will take place in Collingwood the week of Sep 22-28.

#Indigenousarts #Indigenoustheatre #townofcollingwood
#indigenous150plus
#collingwoodpoetlaureate #simcoestreettheatre

I haven't posted in a while, so here's a few highlights from the past month or so.
I felt honoured to be included in this year's Collingwood Music Festival. I shared some poetry and a bit of my story, and a really good discussion followed.
I was also invited to have a chat with DBoss to talk about my role as Poet Laureate. This was a fun time!
I enjoyed some great live music over the past several weeks - J.D Crosstown, Twin Flames, and Tompson Highway among others. I threw in a couple photos from hosting gigs I did as well.
And a few hikes, and SUP adventures to break up the excitement 😅.
I had a full winter and spring schedule and now enjoying some downtime. Catching up on writing projects that keep getting pushed aside. Trying to stay focused with all this beautiful weather we're getting 🫠
Hope everyone is getting out and touching grass 😉

Tomorrow is the day!! It's not too late. Grab your tickets at Simcoestreettheatre.ca.

Let's celebrate this special time of year together! Life is 'Spring'ing up all around us 🐛🦋🐝🏵🌸🪺🐦🐾🐿💛

#yonnheonwe #Indigenousmusic #Indigenousarts #freestyle #collingwoodpoetlaureate #townofcollingwood #indigenoushiphop #Indigenousstorytelling #indigenous150plus #elephantthoughts #Spring #theshinenetworkinstitute

Celebrate Spring with the Yonnhe'on:we Indigenous Arts Series. This time of year blesses us with so much life, growth, and colour.

We're closing in on event night. There are only a few days left to grab your tickets 🎟! We are showcasing another lot of amazing storytelling. So many stories emerge from the inspiration of Spring. Let's get inspired together!

🗓 Thursday, May 30th
🕖 7pm
📍Simcoe Street Theatre, Collingwood

#yonnheonwe #Indigenousdance #Indigenousmusic #indigenous150plus #townofcollingwood #collingwoodpoetlaureate #celebratespring #Indigenousstorytelling #shinenetworkinc

Our spring event is almost here - 30 May @ 7pm, Simcoe Street Theatre.

Join us for an insightful and inspired talk with the amazing Jennifer Podemski! 30+ years in the film and TV industry, many awards & accolades, wins and challenges, and a strong commitment to advocacy make for a must witness conversation!

We'll also be wowed by dancers Kean Buffalo & Jaelie Rae. Powwow meets hip hop on stage, dancing to the music and videos of contemporary Indigenous music artists.

I'll be your host. Let's celebrate spring together!

Get your 🎟 tickets today @ https://bit.ly/4dundEC or head to Simcoestreettheatre.ca!!! 👀 see you there

I had a conversation earlier this month about strawberries. They have good teachings for us. I was inspired to write an ode to the 🍓. So here it is. Sharing it for 🌎 Day...weird that that's a thing since our Mother Earth never gets a day off from honouring our lives 🤔.
#earthday #motherearth #creationstory #indigenousarts #collingwoodpoetlaureate #heartberry

Next week! Looking forward to sharing pieces of my story through my poetry. I feel honoured to do this alongside these other incredible storytellers.
Hope to see you there!
#Indigenousstorytelling #newmoon #lifepromotion #Indigenousarts

I'm grateful to all who made February Film Nights as fun, inspiring, and rewarding as it was. The artists: @thezoehopkins @dakota_raymond @jdcrosstown @thealisonmacgregor @willgeorge36 and all of the beautiful people who came out to enjoy the evening with us.

We have some awesomeness brewing for the May 30th event. Stay tuned, you're not going to want to miss this one!

Tomorrow night at Simcoe Street Theatre! It's your last chance to grab tickets and join us for the evening. Hosted by yours truly. Featuring a live music set with JD Crosstown, followed by the screening of Warrior Spirit and virtual Q&A with Will George (filmmaker). Stay afterward, mingle, and warm up with a bowl of 3 Sister's soup.

Come out and support contemporary Indigenous storytellers!

P.S Nia:wen, Miigwech @jdcrosstown for this awesome video! 🔥

This Thursday, we're screening Warrior Spirit for our February Film nights! This important documentary will follow a live music segment with the very talented, JD Crosstown.

Indigenous water and land protection are often misrepresented in media. There's another side to the story. For our Warriors, land defence is understood as inherent responsibility - a duty to honour our provider, our teacher, our Mother. We harm her, we harm ourselves - we heal her, we heal. We must continually be reminded of that interdependence.

Will George (lead & director) is joining us virtually after the screening. I expect a very inspired and passionate conversation ✨️ can't wait!

Join us! Feb 22 @ 7pm, doors open at 6pm. Tickets at Simcoestreettheatre.ca

Had to share this video that was used at our event Thursday night - thanks to Tyler at Simcoe Street Theatre! *Showing elements of our first event in November.
I can't say enough about what @thezoehopkins and @dakota_raymond gifted us all with for our first film night - you two are a riot, I got some good belly laughs in. Run Woman Run is an incredible film and then to have these two just add so so much...made the night magic!
We still have tickets for our Feb 22 event. Live music with J.D Crosstown and then the doc Warrior Spirit with virtual conversation with lead & director Will George. Another awesome night planned! Get tickets at Simcoestreettheatre.ca!!

Time is running out! Join us for our February film nights. Hear from the film creators, take in some live music. Share in the connection that stories promote. Stories are life-giving!

Buy tickets at Simcoestreettheatre.ca.

I'm excited to continue hosting this series! I would love to see you at Simcoe Street Theatre later this month.

We are featuring these two empowering films, including conversation with film creators. Local musician, J.D Crosstown is joining us live on Feb 22 - he's phenomenal, I've already seen him a few times! I'll share a little poetry too 😅 Stay after the show for 3 sisters soup, Indigenous vendors, and a chance to mingle.

Where: Simcoe Street Theatre, Collingwood
When: February 15&22 7-9:30pm
How: Buy your tickets Simcoestreettheatre.ca

#Indigenousarts #Indigenousfilm #Indigenousmusic #Indigenousartists #supportindigenous #Indigenouspoetry #collingwoodpoetlaureate #townofcollingwood #indigenous150plus #@shorelanearts #runwomanrun #warriorspiritfilm

The first event went as well as I could have wished. What an incredible evening of contemporary Indigenous storytelling! It truly was a celebration ✨️.

I have endless gratitude for the women who generously shared their time and talents with me to make this event come to life. There were times when I wondered if I bit off more than I could chew. They filled in the many gaps in my experience!! @jefishburn + Chelsea (@goodinfluencefilms), @lisafarano (@shorelanearts), Jennifer Parker (@townofcollingwood).

The other performers were phenomenal. @myiingan_minonaakwhe shared an original song that had me feeling grounded - it gave me chills! @bloodandwaterfilm had the audience so inspired. @redskyperformance gave us a beautiful dance piece to close. All the segments fit so well together!

Additionally, a huge shout out to Tyler Cleary (@simcoestreettheatre) for his brilliance and support with all the tech! Bravo @davewestphotography for capturing the night in photos - stunning work as usual. Finally, @jaydria.bean, my beautiful daughter for assisting bts as well - working together makes my heart happy!

If anyone knows who gifted me the gorgeous poncho (pictured), please dm me. I was so touched but also distracted after the show and didn't get his name!

If you missed the first event, don't worry. That was just the first of the series. We're back in February 2024, so stay tuned!!

Our event is almost sold out!! Nia:wen, thank you Collingwood. Remember this is the first of 4 events over the next year. If you don't get to this one, there's more stories to come!

#simcoestreettheatre #Indigenousarts #Indigenousstorytelling #Bloodandwater #Redskydance

Please join me in celebrating contemporary Indigenous storytelling at the Simcoe Street Theatre, Collingwood, November 9th.

I will be hosting and performing for this inaugural event. This is the biggest project I've embarked on during my tenure as Poet Laureate. It was important to me to celebrate the many contemporary ways Indigenous people tell stories. For this event, we will highlight poetry, film, and dance.

We will feature Blood and Water, a self-narrated documentary produced by Indigenous filmmaker Layla Staats. Layla will join us virtually for an after screening conversation.

Our performance finale will feature award winning Indigenous dance company Red Sky.

There are 3 additional events in the works for this series, highlighting more Indigenous storytellers. So stay tuned!

Visit the link on the poster to buy your tickets!

I worked on this project ahead of NDTR. The blue doors installation was arranged by town staff, and I was asked if I'd like to add some words. I incorporated some excerpts from the book that inspired the installation - A knock on the Door, from the TRC. I broke up a piece I wrote with the quotes.

Taken - by Jillian Morris

Taken has double meaning here. How Taken we are by our beautiful children and the love they introduce us to. And then literally taken...child, heart, spirit, hope.

Today is a day of reflection. EVERY CHILD MATTERS.

What a show last night with Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers! And an unexpected addition, special guest Keith Secola!! Incredible musicians, lots of great energy. So fun! Highly recommend catching them on their tour.

Beautiful weekend. A couple hikes, a paddle, and finished it off with a solo road trip to watch the Jr. B Rebels, game 2 in Owen Sound.

Nia:wen, thank you to everyone who was a part of Collingwood's NIPD concert event. @amandarheaume was incredible. Top notch music and the songwriting/storytelling was beautiful! The love of family and culture was so evident. What an honour to open the performance with a little bit of poetry.

Nia:wen to @cheekbonebeauty - absolutely love the products! And to @sheholdstheskydesigns for the stunning ribbon skirt!

#indigenousmusic #indigenouspoet #indigenousarts #townofcollingwood #NIPD #Haudenosauneeproud

I was so privileged to sit in the writers' room earlier on in the development of this series (even got a shout out! 🥹). When I read the script, I was in awe (and tears)and felt - probably like any who read it - that this story needed to be seen/felt. The first episode was incredible, and I can't wait to see the rest of Esther's journey!

Nia:wen, miigwetch @jenniferpodemski for the invite...for all the invites you've extended to me over the years ❤️! I'm so glad I could be there to celebrate this precious creation and everyone who made it happen. I'm grateful to have shared this experience with my daughter.

I don't have words for how much this series means to me as an Indigenous woman...just watch it!!

#littlebird #Indigenousfilm #craveoriginal #aptnoriginal #Indigenouswomeninmedia #supportindigenousarts

Last week in pictures. Lots of time by the water. Sunbathing turtles. 3 classrooms. Art as advocacy workshops. Reciprocated gratitude. I love my backyard. Topped it all off with some ceremony. #georgianbaylife #waterislife #gratitude #Indigenousways #writerslifeforme #indigenouswriter #poetlaureate #healingthroughconnection

Here's a fun, casual event I'm doing. I really enjoy these more intimate gatherings.
#poetlaureate #fortheloveofpoetry #indigenousrepresentation

Met this Queen tonight!
I performed on the same stage 😲. Shared a poem for IWD and then sat back and listened to a profound, inspiring Keynote by @missjullyblack. She evoked some serious emotion. I was determined to thank her in person for her rendition of O'Canada. I did, and it was a moment 🥹

Even a few years ago I wouldn't have had the confidence for this! Now performing the opening monologue to set the tone of this play 😅. I am so blessed to have been inspired, supported, and motivated by generous creatives like @jenniferpodemski @myiingan_minonaakwhe @jaydria.bean. Letting ego fall away to make room for joyful creation has been a challenging journey- so frigging worth it 🧡🧡🧡 Niawen to my family and friends who have been patient with me and my new found loves.

This has been a fun and challenging ride. My second go round with @gaslighttheatre. This is one of those things I wish I had the courage to try earlier in life. I'm here now! Loving every moment of being on stage💫 think I have the bug 🐞🥰
Performances start next week and we are sold out!
#communitytheatre #goingforit #Indigenousartists

Precious water. My teacher. I needed this 💦

First time in a long while that I looked forward to a Monday. An intimate Iskwe & Tom Wilson performance. I've been following Iskwe's music journey for years and seeing her live has been on my wish list for so long! These two together...magic, spiritful 💫💖🦅. Their new album is incredible ( I need a stronger word here!), what an honour to be among the first audience to hear it.
Both were so gracious and spent a little time with me after the show...I shared one of my spoken word poems. To get praise from Iskwe...I have no words!! This night...oh, this night 🔥🔥🔥
#soulfulmusic #Indigenousartists #landback
#storytellers #indigenousresilience

Since we started letting areas of our backyard grow the wild raspberries have been spreading ❤. Not too much longer now 😋. Maybe next time you're here @alexandriaa_jayde

My poet laureate experience may have peaked last night 🤩 what a privilege to open the @diggingroots concert last night with a spoken word piece!! So grateful for these Indigenous creatives/storytellers. This world is better for their generous sharing.💫🦅🔥 #Indigenousartists #landback #livemusic #waterislife #NIPD #collingwoodampitheatre

Full weekend. Short travel to Toronto for a very nice visit my mother-in-law. To the distillery district to catch a powerful theatre production #Indigenousartists #indigenoustheatre #wherethebloodmixes. Ended the weekend watching a great game Six Nations vs. Clearview #medicinegame #lax

Sharing one of my poems for the first time on IG. This one came flooding out one day. It's representative of my decolonization path which is still ongoing. Coming back to ancestral teachings has made me stronger, braver, kinder. I am so proud of where I come from.
#ancestralwisdom #indigenouswoman #nativepride #poetry #artashealing

Monday morning hike. Good start to the week 🥰.
#waterislife #motherearthlove #forestbathing #mondaymorning #creatorslove

A lax playing, fire cooking, tire changing kind of day 🍔🔥🌞🥍 #get outside #springtime #medicinegame #firecooking

So many signs of Spring 🙏. Enjoying some poetry along the Collingwood train trail.
#spring #poetrymonth #woodpecker #motherearthlove #kanienkehaka

Special day with my two favourite men. Husband and boy spending the day with me at Riverstone Retreat. One of the last collection days. #willworkformaplesyrup #natureisamazing #giftsofmotherearth

I made this a while back, earlier in the pandemic. Did it over a few days while taking an online course. The drawing and colouring helped me stay present. I was kind of proud of it in the end...didn't know I had it in me 🍓

Well hoolay...can't believe my journey has brought me here!

Time spent by the water is time well spent ❤💦❤ #waterislife #getoutside #adventureswithmyboy

❤🧡💛 From the book Embers - Richard Wagamese

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Pieces from an Indigenous writer

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POETRY

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News and Upcoming Events

News about what I'm up to

COLLINGWOOD'S NEW POET LAUREATE WILL USE PLATFORM TO PROMOTE INCLUSION

April 6, 2022

This is an exciting role that carries so much responsibility. I hope to promote all life over my term as Poet Laureate.

The Curse of Stolen Seeds: my debut theatre
short is going to Weesageechak 38!

November 2025

Native Earth Performing Arts is featuring my theatre short, The Curse of Stolen Seeds, at their Weesageechak Begins to Dance 38 festival 21-30 November 2025. Join me in Toronto's Regent Park area at the Aki Studio. There will be 2 performances, an evening and matinee performance during the festival. For more information click on the tickets link below.

Tickets

Poetry book publication

February 25, 2025

My debut poetry collection is ready for purchase at Amazon.ca as of February 25, 2025. Funding for the publication of this book was provided by the Ontario Arts Council and the Province of Ontario.

Buy a copy