The Seven Grandfather Teachings

Indigenous Mosaic Glass Art Workshops at Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Authentic Indigenous Design Kits

Create With Purpose. Reflect Through Making.

Shannon and Melinda created The Seven Grandfather Teachings Mosaic Glass Art Kits as a hands-on way to slow down, reflect, and connect with teachings that guide how we live and relate to one another.

These mosaic kits were created through a meaningful partnership between Tribal Fusion Art and Montet Designs, a woman-owned business known for creating high-quality products. Designed by TFA and handcrafted by Montet, this collaboration reflects our shared values of quality, creativity, and women-led entrepreneurship.

On the surface, these might be seen as decorative crafts or themed activities; but in reality, they are invitations: to spend time with our teachings, to create with care, and to let meaning emerge through the process of making.

These kits are used in homes, classrooms, wellness spaces, and community programs across Canada and the UK.

Recognized by Industry & Culture Leaders
We are proud members of organizations like ITAC, Craft Nova Scotia, and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, who support authentic Indigenous-led products and experiences.

Book Your Workshop!

Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, creativity, and storytelling through a unique experience offered in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 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.

Book

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 twice a month, year-round. Experience must be booked in advance. Workshops can accommodate up to 30 participants. Groups may also book additional dates, subject to availability (Minimum of 8.)

Price: $185.00 + HST per person

More Information:

Learn more about your artists hosts Melinda and Shannon HERE.

Learn more about Welcome to Turtle Island HERE.

Learn more about the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 HERE.

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

What participants are saying:

“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, 1055 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4P7, 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.

Advance booking required. Payment is taken at time of booking. Bookings cancelled at least 48 hours before the scheduled experience will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the experience will incur a 50% cancellation fee. No refund will be provided for cancellations made on the day of the experience. In the rare event that the experience is cancelled, due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, visitors will be informed as soon as possible and have the option to reschedule to a later date or receive a full refund. Cancellations are communicated through the contact information provided at booking (email and/or phone).

What Are the Seven Grandfather Teachings?

The Seven Grandfather Teachings are values passed through generations, often shared as guides for living in good relationship with ourselves, each other, and the world around us:

Love Respect Courage Honesty Humility Wisdom Truth

Each teaching is represented here through a symbolic mosaic design, pre-cut and shared with cultural context. The goal is not mastery or instruction, but reflection, conversation, and presence.

In Canada, Indigenous refers to three distinct groups of people – First Nation, Inuit, and Metis. These are the original inhabitants of the land that is now Canada.

The Seven Grandfather teachings are guiding principles of many Indigenous Nations throughout Turtle Island (North America). Though traditional teachings may differ from Nation to Nation, the concepts / values are similar.

This traditional knowledge was gathered from the teachings of Anishinaabe, Anisininew, and Mi’kmaw Elders we have learned from.