In this update:

USA and Canada Tour
Toronto Indigenous Jewish Friendship Symposium
University of Ottawa
Victoria University, Vancouver Island
Final Stop Hawai’i

USA and CANADA TOUR

I’ve just returned from the USA and Canada where I visited Jewish communities and attended events in six locations: Los Angeles, Washington DC, Toronto, Ottawa, Victoria (Vancouver Island) and Hawai’i. I spoke in various meetings in universities, synagogues, homes and conferences. The themes of my talks included Indigenous identity, Jewish Indigeneity, addressing antisemitism, antizionism and critiquing settler colonialism. 

A frequently heard comment was that this message is desperately needed on campuses and that as an Indigenous academic, I hold a unique position, challenging the dominant narrative and offering an alternative perspective. 

I am thankful for the many kind and hospitable hosts who looked after me, showed me around and made the trip possible, including: Meir and Rachel Bartur, Elie & Judy Balas, Danna Balas, Shira Lowenberg, Andria Spindel, Les Kom, Sharon Katz, Tamara Hudson and Maya Portner. 

The meeting in Los Angeles was an insight into the challenges Jewish people are facing in the United States. In particular, parents shared the difficulties their children are facing in schools and on campuses.  I was privileged to be a guest at  the American Jewish Committee Global Forum in Washington DC and was invited by Shira Lowenberg, Director of the Asia Pacific Institute to share a few words at their board meeting. It was a full and dynamic conference and I had the opportunity to make many significant connections. 

Dr Sheree Trotter

Images Left to right: With Sarah Smolyanova, Australasian Union of Jewish Students, NZ; Roz Rothstein, Founder, Stand With Us; Elie & Judy Balas, Meir & Rachel Bartur

TORONTO:
INDIGENOUS JEWISH FRIENDSHIP

One of the goals of Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem is to develop our Indigenous networks in the nations and to bring together Jewish and Indigenous peoples. I began discussing this concept with Andria Spindel of Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation many months with a view to holding a symposium in Toronto.

We worked with colleagues and partners Hon Harry and Janice LaForme, Melodie Greyeyes (Kanada House), Daniel Koren (Allied Voices for Israel), Michael Bloomfield (Harmony Foundation), to create a symposium that would facilitate dialogue and honour Indigenous protocol.  This was the fruit of two years of relationship building between our organisations and communities. It began in 2024, when we first attended the Walk for Israel event in Toronto and a Pow Wow organised by the Consulate General of Israel, Toronto & Western Canada, Idit Shamir. The Building Indigenous-Jewish Friendship Symposium exceeded expectations. I thank Andria Spindel, all our partners and my assistant Laura Medley, for the hard work in bringing it all together.

Read the National Post articles on the event by David Gordon and Justice Harry LaForme.

Comments from our partners CAEF and AVI: 

It was abundantly obvious and marvellously enervating to see the blooming and growing of personal relationships between these two ancient peoples who have experienced discrimination, horrific mistreatment including massacres, multi-generational trauma, and family losses. Yet, resilience reigns. The values that Indigenous peoples of the world share include reverence for their elders/ancestors, love of their ancestral land, and the restoration or desire to preserve their language and culture over time, over millennia. The Indigenous Jewish people, like no other, returned to their land, revitalized their ancient language, cultivated their ancient culture despite 2,000 years in the diaspora, and hold dear their religion and its source, The Torah. (Andria Spindel, CAEF).

The energy in the room throughout the weekend was truly palpable. Real, lasting friendships were formed, and we did not shy away from having some uncomfortable but necessary conversations. Jewish Canadians gained a deeper understanding of the distinct challenges facing First Nations communities across the country, while our Indigenous friends learned more about the harsh realities Jewish and allied students face on campuses today.

The foundation of the event was laid through a sacred Opening Protocol by Elder Dr. Wendy Phillips and Elder Mark Phillips, grounding us all in a spirit of profound respect. Throughout the day, our brilliant speakers challenged paradigms, examined the historical weight of treaties, and traced the deep, parallel cultural frameworks that connect our communities. The energy culminated in an extraordinary Indigenous leadership panel and deep, collaborative working group dialogues.⁠

What made this event truly special was the commitment to action: every community discussion was guided by traditional Circle Protocol, ensuring every single voice was valued as we worked together in the spirit of building true friendship.⁠  (Daniel Koren, AVI)

More from the CAEF Report:

The day-long symposium that covered topics ranging from the historic Canadian government & Indigenous nations' treaties to historic and current definitions of Zionism and the current war against the Jews under the guise of Antizionism, from debunking claims of Jewish settler-colonialism to understanding Indigenous perspectives on knowledge and education. Major speakers included Dr. Csaba Nikoleyni, Dr. Sheree Trotter, Dr. Andrew Pessin, Justice Harry LaForme, Dr. David Newhouse, Dr. Mark Dockstater, lawyer Karen Restoule, and others. 

The major sponsor of the Symposium was the Israeli Consulate for Ontario and Western Canada, and Consul General Idit Shamir delivered a strong message of support for the Indigenous-Jewish dialogue, for shared indigeneity, for standing up against antisemitism and racism, for recognizing shared values and working collaboratively going forward.

Other sponsors included the WagnerGreen Family Fund, Adam Wagman Professional Corporation, Kanada House, CAEF, AVI, Harmony Foundation, Les Kom, Harry and Janice LaForme.

Prayers of fellowship and good will were offered by Rabbi Jennifer Gorman, spiritual head of Beth Torah Congregation which hosted the event, and First Nations Elders Wendy and Mark Phillips and Indigenous musician and songwriter Jonathan Maracle.

Features of the friendship weekend included home billeting of Indigenous guests with Jewish families, sharing Shabbat dinners, attending Shabbat synagogue services, an in-home BBQ for all Jewish and Indigenous participants, and a more formal private dinner with keynote speaker Dr. Csaba Nikoleyni.

Listen to my message at Beit Tikvah Synagogue and Harry LaForme’s message at Temple Sinai.

I also had the opportunity to speak at the Israel Conference 2026 organised by the National House of Prayer. The conference gathered Jewish and Christian leaders to confront rising antisemitism in Canada, prompted by the increase in antisemitic incidents across the country. The message to the church was clear, this is not a time to remain silent.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

I was honoured to share the stage at the University of Ottawa with respected First Nations leader and former judge, Hon Harry LaForme. We addressed the topic “Antizionist Colonization of Indigenous Movements - and Our Response” to a highly engaged audience, followed by a vigorous Q & A session.  The event was organised by Les Kom in partnership with co-sponsor, the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics, whose mission is to combat antisemitism on Canadian campuses and to restore a commitment to the mission of the academy - academic freedom, open dialogue, innovation, knowledge generation. The conversation was hosted by Professor Cary Kogan.

Read press articles on the event:

How Canada’s Indigenous Story Is Being Twisted to Spread Antisemitism, by Dan Donovan. 

And The Free Press, by Rupa Subramanya

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
VANCOUVER ISLAND

I was pleased to speak at an event organised by the Victoria and Vancouver Island Jewish Federation. It was the only event in which we had protestors, who were quickly ushered out. The topic of Indigeneity and Zionism versus Settler Colonialism was well received, with many commenting on the need for such teaching on campuses. Two participants separately told me it was the first time they had felt hope or encouragement since 7 October. 

The event included an on-stage interview with Pat Johnson, a writer and journalist and founding president of Upstanders Canada. Amongst other topics, Pat interviewed me about my book, ‘Zionism at the Ends of the Earth’. He commented on the many similarities between the Canadian and New Zealand experience of Zionism, including that Canadians saw themselves as being ‘at the ends of the earth’. 

We also had the opportunity to view ‘The Lands Between Us’, a film about the visit to Israel of a delegation of Indigenous leaders from Canada, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organised by Leonor Ward, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Canada.  The video was produced by Crystal Lavallee of Crystal Clear Productions.

It was a pleasure to get to know the Victoria & Vancouver Island Jewish Federation members, Sharon Katz, Tamara Hudson, Selma Linzer as well as Michael Bloomfield of Harmony Foundation. 

FINAL STOP: HAWAI’I

It was a pleasure to meet the Hawaiian community, to be received with a traditional Hawaiian welcome, and adorned with many lei - garlands made with gorgeous tropical blooms.  I had both breakfast and lunch meetings, spoke in two synagogues and stayed on an organic farm run by Chabad. It was a full and fruitful few days of connecting and bridge building. Thanks to my wonderful host, Maya Portner who brought it all together and to Jessica Pearl, president of the Jewish congregation of Maui, Justin Levinson, host of the Jewish Community Speaker Series at Temple Emanu-El, Kahu Quintero and  Paul Gracie, Interfaith Alliance Hawai’i and Chana from Chabad for her generous hospitality at the Kosher Farm on Maui.

THANKS
TO OUR SUPPORTERS

This trip was made possible by the generosity and practical support of many, and I am truly grateful. I look forward to the projects that will flow from the many conversations and engagements I had along the way. 

If you would like to support this vital work and partner with IEJ, please consider donating.

Next newsletter we will share about our interview with a Norwegian broadcaster and a Sami Pastor, an exciting scholarship opportunity, and more. 

DONATE

As we face another challenging year in the battle against false narratives and antisemitism, please consider supporting Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem. We are entirely dependent on the generosity of our supporters. Please consider a monthly donation to this important project.

FOLLOW IEJ ON SOCIAL MEDIA