In January 2026, Jamii returned for its eighth visit since 2018 to Pikangikum, a remote fly-in Indigenous community in Northern Ontario with a population of approximately 4,000. Rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty, and strong family bonds, Pikangikum also faces ongoing challenges related to infrastructure, access to essential services, and youth well-being. This visit reflects Jamii’s sustained commitment to building long-term relationships through the arts—creating meaningful spaces for cultural exchange, shared creativity, and connection between northern Indigenous communities and urban Toronto.

Jamii’s Alchemist and project lead, Isorine Marc, was joined by Dani Kwan-Lafond, Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, whose work bridges social work, community arts, land-based learning, and ethical community engagement. Dani was invited to lead a five-part drumming workshop series designed to culminate in a community performance, while Isorine facilitated guided painting sessions with high school students. Extreme winter weather, with temperatures dropping to -30°C, led to multiple school closures at Eenchokay Birchstick School, limiting the number of workshops that could take place. Despite these challenges, the team successfully delivered sessions and was warmly received by students.

Rather than viewing the closures as a setback, Jamii deepened its engagement by meeting with youth centre leadership to explore future collaborations, connecting with school administration to plan the next phase of programming, supporting local muralist Darwin Peters, and developing plans for a new video portrait series with a key teacher partner. These relationship-building efforts further strengthened the foundation for long-term collaboration.

Upon returning to Toronto, Jamii hosted a public screening and discussion evening to raise awareness about Pikangikum - highlighting both its beauty and its realities. The evening featured screening and discussion with videographers Ana Higuera on the video portraits she made in the Fall 2026, and a community dialogue with Harmony Nadjiwon, Professor of Indigenous Curriculum Development at Centennial College and a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. Guided by the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing, the discussion fostered cross-cultural understanding and emphasized shared responsibility in reconciliation and ethical engagement. Acknowledments

This project was supported by the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts, with additional support for the video series from the JP Bickell Foundation and private donors Jim and Marjorie Dawson. Jamii plans to return to Pikangikum in Fall 2026 to continue arts workshops and expand the video portrait series, and is preparing to welcome Pikangikum artists and youth to Toronto in Summer 2026 - further strengthening reciprocal exchange and community capacity through the arts.