Riverfest 2025

Month of September 

This social media contest is designed to encourage students, faculty, and staff to connect with Deshkan Ziibi and enjoy the nature around it. This activity engages with the Western Sustainability and Indigenous Student Centre’s Instagram pages as submissions will be shared on these platforms, through the hashtag #RiverThroughYourEye2025.

At the end of Riverfest, three participants will be selected through random draw to win fun prizes.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

OServes is an event during Western's Orientation Week designed to introduce new students to some special locations on campus, explore their new home, and learn more about how they can get involved with sustainability at Western. Students will take part in an interactive scavenger hunt and have the chance to win fun prizes!

This event is in collaboration with the London Environmental Network (LEN) and Friends of the Garden (FOGs).

Month of September

Platform: Qualtrics survey will open September 1

Join the Riverfest Scavenger Hunt – a fun and engaging way to connect with the Deshkan Ziibi and explore Western's campus! This self-paced adventure invites the campus community to solve clues and puzzles that will guide you to various hidden spots across Western.

Participation is open to everyone, and you're welcome to skip any clue if it proves tricky—just keep moving and enjoy the journey. The main objective is to get outside, discover new places, and learn something along the way! Those who participate will be added into a prize draw.

Art Thrive: Elemental Forces is a social and creative space where connection and creativity is paramount. Through video art, moving images, and a unique and fun artistic activity led by local artists, each event celebrates an elemental theme- earth, wind, fire and water.

Join us at one or all of the free drop-in events taking place at various locations across campus. 

Moving Images curated by Imogen Clandenning. Artmaking activities facilitated by Tia Bates. 

Water | Fluidity

Thursday, September 11 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location: McIntosh Gallery

Moving Images: Canoeing the Black Creek (2023), by Dave Kemp (pictured above).  Underwater Magic World (2025) by Cassie Packham. 

Artmaking Activity: Silkscreening tote bags with Soft Flirt. 

Learn more about this program

Water | Remembering

Wednesday, September 24 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location: Weldon Library Scholar's Lab

Moving Images: Ozigwan (2023) and Into Water (2019), by Cole Forrest. On and On and On (2024), by Evelyn Pakinewatik (pictured above). How to Steal a Canoe (2016), by Amanda Strong. 

Artmaking: Silkscreening t-shirts with Flourish and Grow, and watercolour painting. 

Learn more about this program!

Friday, September 12, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Take a break and get outside for some fresh air! Join Ben Souriol, graduate student in the Department of Biology, for an hour-long walk through tranquil trails and walking paths along the river on campus. Dress appropriately for the weather, as walks may continue in rainy or muddy conditions! Ben's Wellness Walks are a great way to explore campus, connect with nature, meet new friends and improve your overall well-being. 

This event is open to all members of the campus community (students, staff, faculty). 

Registration is encouraged. Drop-ins are welcome, but please try to register in advance. Please email Ben Souriol (bsouriol@uwo.ca) in advance of the walk to receive updates in the event of a cancellation or time change. The walk begins in front of the Biological & Geological Sciences Building (BGSB). 

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Paint Night by the River is an interactive session led by artist Moses Lunham. Moses (Anishnaabe) is an accomplished First Nations artist from the community of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. A graduate from Fanshawe College's Graphic Art and Design Program (1990) Moses has worked with many First Nation communities in Southwestern Ontario by providing a wide range of art workshops inspired by his culture.

"Creating art is a very therapeutic experience. It heals and provides us the opportunity to make connections to story and cultural teachings that are needed for Mino Bimadziwin (A Good Way of Living)."

In 2015 Moses was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his art from the Anishnaabek Nation. "My work is a reflection of my people (Anishnaabe), their spirituality and ideology."

The evening will include a step-by-step painting tutorial on beautiful hand-carved cedar paddles. No prior experience is necessary to get involved. All supplies will be provided at this event, just bring yourself! 

This event is just open to Western students. Space is limited and registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 2:30pm - 4:00pm

This event is in collaboration with McIntosh Gallery and the Western Biodiversity Inventory. Members of the campus community are invited to sharpen their observational and creative skills during this nature walk along the Deshkan Ziibi combined with a “no skill required” drawing activity. This is a great opportunity to connect with nature, slow down, and practice mindful observation.

The walk will begin outside of McIntosh Gallery, proceed to the river, and conclude inside at the Visual Arts artLAB Gallery. Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated while we spend time outdoors.

This event is just open to the Western campus community. Space is limited and registration is required.

REGISTER HERE

Friday, September 19, 2025 at 8:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Kent Walk North, in front of McIntosh Gallery

You're invited to take part in the fifth annual Bike to Campus Day! This event focuses on spreading awareness and highlighting the benefits of active transportation. Connect with community and campus partners at the Bike Fair (8am-12pm).

If you are a seasoned cyclist or are curious about getting involved with active transportation, there will be resources at the Bike Fair to learn more about some of the following topics:

• Cycling routes in London
• Safe commuting
• Silent bike auction brought to you by Western Special Constables
• Bike theft prevention and the 529 Garage Program
• Bike parking and infrastructure on campus
• Bike accessories (bells/lights/mirrors)
• And more!

Be sure to stick around at 8:30am for a group photo in front of McIntosh Gallery!

Friday, September 19, 2025 at 12:30pm

Location: Von Kuster Hall

Hosted by the Don Wright Faculty of Music, this program explores themes of water and water rights through music. It features soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon (Bard College Conservatory), violist Sharon Wei, and cellist Zachary Mowitz (LA Phil) premiering Juantio Becenti’s work based on Supreme Court rulings and Navajo water rights. Also included are Nick Bernardino’s piece for cello and electronics, reflecting coral reef decline, and Ian Cusson’s solo viola work La Pieta, inspired by Kent Monkman’s painting of Indigenous water protectors. Admission to this event is free.

September 21 - 28, 2025

The Western Biodiversity Inventory is teaming up with Bioblitz London to offer some events in September! Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just curious about the world around you, bioblitzes are a fun and engaging way to explore local biodiversity. Discover nature. Connect with community. Contribute to science.

Each is event is free and registration is required. See more details here.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:30am

Location: Meet at the volleyball court behind Saugeen-Maitland Hall

Join the Indigenous Students' Association, Indigenous Student Centre, and Western Sustainability for an Anishinaabe Water Walk.

The event will begin with a talk by Wahsayzee Deleary, Loon Clan. Water is life, and this event will raise awareness around the sacredness of water and ways that we can help as humans to protect water. Participants will be encouraged to make their own connection to water as we walk along the Medway Creek. The first Mother Earth Water Walk took place in 2003 and was lead by Anishinabe grandmother Josephine Mandamin-bah around Lake Superior.

We will meet behind Saugeen-Maitland Hall, at the volleyball court. After the opening, we will walk along the river as a group, there will be a shorter more accessible option for those unable to manage on rough terrain or for those who need to leave early. The route will end behind Westminster Hall. Participants are encouraged to bring their own blanket to sit on during the opening remarks.

Registration is encouraged. Drop-ins are welcome, but please try to register in advance. This event is open to all members of the campus community, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, faculty, staff, and students. We hope to see you there!

REGISTER HERE