Indigenous Glass Art Experience

Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, creativity, and storytelling through a unique experience offered in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. This special package includes museum admission, a personal tour of Welcome to Turtle Island with the artists behind the installation, and a hands-on Mosaic Glass Art workshop grounded in Mi’kmaw, Anishinaabe and Anisininew teachings.

Together, the exhibition and workshop invite you to explore Indigenous perspectives from across Turtle Island (North America) while engaging more deeply with the cultural teachings, traditions, and artistic practices shared by your hosts.

Experience Highlights:

• Enjoy admission to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 as part of this unique cultural experience. Includes access to Tribal Fusion Art’s featured installation Welcome to Turtle Island. Join hourly tours and film screenings and explore historic context about Indigenous and settler relationships in the Museum’s Canadian Immigration Hall. Plan for an additional 60-90 minutes to enjoy the Museum experience.
• Take part in a personal tour of Welcome to Turtle Island with the artists of Tribal Fusion Art, gaining deeper insight into the stories, research, and cultural meanings woven into the installation.
• Be welcomed into the experience with an opening prayer and smudging ceremony that creates space for connection, creativity, and cultural learning.
• Discover the meaning behind Indigenous design by choosing a pattern inspired by the Seven Grandfather Teachings and learning about the stories and values it represents.
• Enjoy authentic cultural sharing from Indigenous artist hosts, who will weave teachings, traditions, and personal insight into the creative process.
• Learn in a supportive environment with all materials provided, plus a safety introduction to ensure you feel comfortable and confident.
• Develop practical mosaic glass art skills through a guided hands-on coaster project that allows you to practice techniques during the workshop.
• Leave with something you created in class and a stronger understanding of both the artistic process and the cultural teachings shared.
• Receive a DIY Indigenous Mosaic Art Kit as added value, allowing you to continue the experience after the workshop and complete your larger mosaic artwork at your own pace.
• Cultural closing ceremony at the end of your experience.

Dates: Offered year-round on the dates below. Advance booking required. Groups may also book additional dates, subject to availability (Minimum of 8).

• June 9 and 16
• July 7 and 21
• August 18 and 27
• September 4 and 18
• October 1, 9, 16 and 20
• November 14, 28
• December 19, 20
• January 9, 23
• February 6, 20
• March 5, 12

Price: $185.00 + HST per person

How to Book: Please book online HERE

More Information:

• Learn more about your artist hosts, Melinda and Shannon
• Learn more about Welcome to Turtle Island
• Learn more about the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

Please call 1-204-899-0862 or email tribalfusionart@gmail.com for more information.

What Participants are Saying:

« I loved that I came away from the workshop with a mosaic that I had designed and created myself. Melinda’s calm encouragement gave me confidence to play with the glass and enjoy the process even though I had no prior experience. I’m looking forward to doing another one! ~ Susie B, Bridgewater »

“I truly enjoyed this workshop. It was educational, engaging, and deeply meaningful. Learning about the Seven Sacred Teachings helped me develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, while also offering a perspective that encouraged a more positive view of challenges in my own life. The mosaic I created is beautiful and is a lasting reminder of my commitment to care for myself and others with greater mindfulness. I would wholeheartedly recommend this workshop to everyone. ~ Kristine K, Halifax.”

Good to Know:

• We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq, at the beautiful Halifax Seaport. Walking distance to many local restaurants, hotels, shopping, cruise ship pavilion and other attractions.
• This experience takes place at The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, a national historic site on the Halifax waterfront, where nearly one million immigrants landed in Canada.
• The Museum shares 400 years plus of immigration history. Over those years the Mi’kmaq (the Indigenous people of this territory) have employed different strategies to address the arrival of settlers, ranging from conflict to negotiation to friendship.
• Mi’kmaq presence, knowledge, and resilience remain central to these histories and to the ongoing artistic and cultural conversations they continue to inspire. Hosting Indigenous artist interventions and working with partners like Tribal Fusion Art reflects the importance of this ongoing dialogue and the Museum’s commitment to creating space for it.
• The Museum Boutique carries a selection of your artist-hosts’ original glass art, available for purchase on-site.
• For your safety, please wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothing suitable for a hands-on, artistic experience. Bare legs are not recommended.
• Work aprons, safety glasses, disposable rubber gloves, and disposable aprons will be provided for use during the experience. Participants are expected to follow safety instructions and protocols.
• Participants are welcome to bring their own water bottles and snacks to this experience; we follow a flexible break format.
• This experience is suitable for children aged 7 and up. The facilitators are educators, mothers, and grandmothers who fully welcome and embrace children who are accompanied by an adult family member.
• Ample paid parking is available, including accessible parking for those with permit.
• Smoking is allowed outside in designated areas.
• For information about the Museum’s accessibility services and accommodations, please visit https://pier21.ca/visit/accessibility.