Stories at the Solstice – grandmothers in solidarity

By Susan Carter

One World Grannies is hosting our popular storytelling fundraiser again this year on June 21. After being held for many years in leafy Ottawa gardens, threats of rain (and an actual soaking) have wisely resulted in an indoor event this year. We are happy to have the wonderful space at the Unitarian Congregation to host this year’s event.

Stories at the Solstice: A Celebration of Summer in Story and Song features well-known storytellers “Beaver Woman” Louise Profeit-LeBlanc of the Yukon Nacho N’yak Dun First Nation, Mary Wiggin, master of folk and fairy tale, and Nigerian Canadian teller Uchechi Ogbonna. The Three Rivers Choir, Sheila Green and Thomas McKegney will add musical pleasure to the evening. In addition to stories and music, guests will enjoy canapés, desserts and a chance to win one of several door prizes.

For 17 years, Ottawa grandmothers have supported their sisters in sub-Saharan Africa who remain strongly affected by the devastation of HIV and AIDS on their families and communities. Now they face quadruple jeopardy caused by the COVID pandemic, climate change and the looming threat of food insecurity in troubled economic times.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, we are now facing a global food crisis of unprecedented proportions, the largest in modern history. In Canada, the use of food banks across the country has increased two to three-fold in the past few years beginning with the pandemic and compounded recently by inflation. Food insecurity is a real threat here in Ottawa and the Glebe community is doing its part to address this issue.

In 2021, one in every five people in Africa was facing hunger. In sub-Saharan Africa, grandmothers and older women are especially vulnerable due to poverty and inequality, climate change, conflict and food system failures. At the same time, these women are the keepers of knowledge about traditional, sustainable seeds and growing practices. Working with younger people, they hold hope for the future.

The One World Grannies and the Unitarian GoGos are dedicated to working in solidarity with the grandmothers in Africa. They are two of 14 grandmother groups in the Ottawa-Gatineau region that fundraise and advocate for women, children and youth in sub-Saharan Africa. All funds raised by Canadian grandmother groups are channelled through the Stephen Lewis Foundation directly to partner organizations working with grandmothers at the community level.

Carolyn Harrison is a regular at Stories at the Solstice. “This is my launch to summer and I try not to miss it. Every Stories evening has its magical moments and it’s such great fun.

Stories at the Solstice

When: June 21: 6:15 welcome

reception; program 7-9:30 pm

Where: First Unitarian

Congregation, 30 Cleary Avenue

Tickets: $30, available on

Eventbrite or by reservation

at 613-864-6442

Your evening’s enjoyment will support young people and grandmothers affected and infected by HIV and AIDS and help them address the perils of climate change and food insecurity.

Susan Carter is a long-time resident in the Glebe and member of the One World Grannies and the Grandmothers Advocacy Network.