The Quinte Cultural Innovation Committee (QCIC) invites parents, teachers, students, and community leaders to participate in the Peace Festival on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 at Zwick’s Park (10 Bay Bridge, Belleville, Hill/Bedrock Pavilion). This event, held in recognition of the International Day of Peace, offers an inspiring day of reflection, education, and community-building with a focus on peace, equity, and reconciliation. Beginning at 1 PM, the festival will open with the Thanksgiving Address, a traditional ceremony gathering attendees in a circle under the trees to reflect on gratitude and our shared responsibilities to the land and each other. This powerful moment will set the tone for a day dedicated to unity and collective healing. A key feature of the day is the Dish With One Spoon Workshop, an interactive session exploring the importance of sharing resources and protecting our environment. This workshop draws on the wisdom of Indigenous teachings and emphasizes the role each of us plays in caring for the Earth and each other. For educators, administrators, and parents, the festival offers a unique opportunity to align with the outdoor classroom objectives increasingly embraced by schools. QCIC has designed cross-curricular workshops that engage students in hands-on learning, connecting themes of equity, sustainability, and peace to real-world experiences. These purposeful activities, led by education-focused community partners, provide a rich, interactive environment for students and teachers alike to expand their understanding of reconciliation and equity in action. In the evening, the Peace Festival also includes content for young adults with confirmed performances by local artist Gravel G and visiting talents Borelson and Dolo the Gifted, whose music serve as a reminder of the power of art to bridge divides, celebrate resilience, and inspire change. “The Peace Festival is not just an event; it’s a proactive step toward fostering a more inclusive and just community,” says the Quinte Cultural Innovation Committee. “It’s an opportunity for educators, students, and families to come together, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversations that will resonate long after September 30th’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.”