what does it mean to be canadian today? join us for a thought-provoking lecture series that examines the diverse forces shaping canada’s national identity. together, we’ll explore the stories of immigration and multiculturalism, canada’s role in international trade and global affairs, the importance of indigenous perspectives and reconciliation, and the foundations of our democracy. each of the four sessions will bring fresh insights and engaging discussion, offering participants a deeper understanding of canada’s past, present, and future. whether you are a student, community member, and/or lifelong learner, this series invites you to reflect on what unites us and how canadian identity continues to evolve.

please bring your own mug to enjoy a hot beverage during the intermission.  alternatively, tall branded travel mugs will be available for purchase for $5 (cash only).

if you are unable to attend the lectures in person, a link will be sent to all registered participants for viewing from the comfort of your own places and spaces!

date(s): wednesdays, october 1, 8, 15, and 29, 2025 (no lecture on oct. 22)
time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
place:  in-person or live-streamed at st. paul's centre in orillia
price:  $65 +hst for the whole 4 lecture series; $20 +hst for a single talk.

the ontario master naturalist certificate program is aimed at naturalists and those dedicated to environmental stewardship, empowering them to learn and share knowledge of the natural world and engage as stewards of their local ecosystems and resources.

the fall 2025 program includes eight learning modules taught in a hybrid model, including interactive videos and powerpoints created for the program, virtual learning resources, a virtual trailhead meeting space, and weekly zoom webinars with the program's content experts. the eight learning modules are as follows: geology & anthropology, mammals, plants, birds, reptiles & amphibians, wetlands, invasive species, and insects.

while this program does include live weekly zoom webinars, it can also be completed asynchronously. the weekly webinars are recorded and posted to the online course site, allowing for learners to go back and review the recordings on their own time.

participants will receive a certificate after successfully completing eight modules that combine in-class (virtual) instruction and fieldwork (in own locations).

dates: thursday, september 11, 2025 - thursday, november 13, 2025 (*no class held on thursday, october 16)

location: zoom

times: 7:00 - 9:00 pm

join the office of community engagement & lifelong learning and tylor stocks of stocks apiaries to explore the buzz about honeybees!  you will explore a colony: workers, queen(s), drones, and their unique contributions. see a working colony take care of their queen, brood, and resources.

the sweetest part will be learning about (and tasting!)  the produce of a hive – honey varieties, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, and pollen in both contemporary and historical context.

learn more about bees and their relationship with other living things in their environment and how you can attract pollinators to your gardens!

bee curious and register now for this learning opportunity.  each attendee will receive a bee-autiful product from stocks apiaries!

mushrooms come in different sizes, shapes and colours, and they can appear overnight, covering lawns, meadows, woods, and wetlands.  mushrooms grow on both living and dead matter, and they often form mutually beneficial relationships with other living flora.  some are edible and others are not - learning the differences between the two is important!

in this workshop, participants will learn to identify mushrooms by examining spore colour, gill attachment, and growth substrate. we will learn to appreciate not only the incredible variety of early mushrooms, but also the ways in which mushrooms support and communicate within an interrelational, networking ecosystem.

are you interested in learning more about how to grow your own food indoors and outdoors? if so, this new fully online lecture series is for you! take advantage of our introductory pricing and explore various concepts ranging from physical science to design and creative innovation with an overarching goal of enabling participants to be better suited to growing their own food within the context of a changing climate.

you can opt to participate synchronously or asynchronously to fit your lifestyle and schedule! you will receive a copy of the live recording, the lecture content as a pdf, as well as a suggested reading list for all purchased lectures. lectures can be purchased individually or as a package. the first 3 lectures are recommended to serve as background context for the subsequent classes but are not required.

join us for brass roots: music, memory, & community, an unforgettable evening of soul-stirring music and rich storytelling, presented by the orillia silver band and the orillia museum of art & history. taking place on thursday, july 17 from 7–9pm at st. paul’s centre, this special performance is hosted by the office of community engagement & lifelong learning and celebrates the power of music to connect us through time, memory, and community.

ready to move beyond the ai hype and build your skills and confidence with ai? this 90-minute hands-on session, presented by emily baillie and the office of community engagement & lifelong learning, is designed to help you explore the power of chatgpt in a real, practical way - no matter your starting point.

whether you’re brand new to ai or already using it in your work, this workshop gives you time and space to learn and build confidence. we’ll walk you through use cases, explore effective prompt writing, and guide you through a practical task using chatgpt.

you’ll leave with:

•  a clearer understanding of how chatgpt works
•  prompt strategies to get better results
•  a completed real-world task (like drafting content, brainstorming ideas, or writing outreach)
•  tips, tools, and takeaways to use right away

bring your laptop, tablet or smartphone, and get ready to build practical skills in a supportive environment. no tech background required. all are welcome. 

emily baillie is an ai and digital marketing speaker, trainer, and professor with over 15 years of experience helping professionals and small business owners across canada stay ahead in a fast-changing digital world.

known for her engaging and down-to-earth delivery, emily makes complex topics like artificial intelligence accessible, interactive, and relevant—whether you're running a business, leading a team, or just getting started. she teaches digital marketing at mcmaster university and leads an ai micro-credential at humber college, equipping people with the skills and confidence to apply ai in real-world settings.

with a human-first approach to ai, emily empowers individuals and teams to use these tools in practical, ethical, and effective ways that support their goals.

an alvar is an important yet widely unknown ecosystem. it first appears as unproductive land or a rock barren but holds a unique, rare and stressed ecosystem that floods in spring and experiences drought by mid-summer. we have this rare phenomenon nearby in carden with a diverse range of flora that can be studied.

join ontario master naturalist program coordinator bob bowles for a morning hike on the carden alvar! alvars are globally rare ecosystems and are recognized worldwide for being home to a large number of important plant and bird species. during the hike, bob will point out some of these important species including possibly prairie smoke and field chickweed. you’ll come away from this workshop with an increased understanding of the environmental significance of alvars, and the ability to id some of the plant species commonly found in these habitats. you’ll also receive a workshop booklet to guide your engagement!

register here

inclusive orillia, along with georgian college and 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 is proud to present a special screening of pride vs. prejudice: the delwin vriend story in celebration of pride month 2025. this event is presented in partnership with edmonton community foundation (ecf) and the edmonton queer history project (eqhp) and aims to honour the contributions of our local 2slgbtqi+ community while fostering meaningful conversations about equity, human rights, and inclusion.

pride vs. prejudice: the delwin vriend story chronicles the landmark legal battle that changed the course of canadian history. in 1991, delwin vriend was fired from his job at a christian college in edmonton for being gay. when alberta’s human rights legislation failed to protect him, vriend took his case all the way to the supreme court of canada — and won. the 1998 decision in vriend v. alberta ensured sexual orientation was protected under the canadian charter of rights and freedoms, shaping the future of 2slgbtqi+ rights in canada.

directed by darrin hagen and produced by ecf and the eqhp, pride vs. prejudice has been celebrated at film festivals around the world, earning multiple audience choice awards and critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling and cultural impact.

“ecf is proud to partner with community foundations across the country to share pride vs. prejudice,” says tina thomas, ceo of edmonton community foundation. “the delwin vriend case is not just edmonton’s story — it’s canada’s story. we hope these screenings spark reflection and dialogue, while also celebrating the resilience, advocacy, and joy of 2slgbtqi+ communities.”