Indigenous Science Night: The Fungus Among us
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE NIGHT

THE FUNGUS AMONG US

October 18 | 5:00 - 10:00 PM

WHAT

A celebration of fungi and how it helps with the interconnectedness of all life on Earth.

WHEN

October 18

5:00 - 10:00 PM

COST

Free for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) individuals.

Included with a Spark Membership.

Adults: $10.00

Children: $5.00

AGES

All ages are welcome.

CELEBRATE THE FUNGI

On October 18, celebrate the fungus among us during Indigenous Science Night at Spark, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM!

Fungus and their spores are ALL AROUND US! They are in the soil, the air, and even on your skin. Indigenous science has known for thousands of years about the gifts of healing and sustenance found in fungus, their place within nutrient cycles, and even developed mushroom technologies. Because of this diversity of fungi utility, they have been central to many land-based ceremonies and cultures across Turtle Island and beyond.

What to expect at this Indigenous Science Night:

  • Learning how to prepare mushroom dishes in an Indigenous culinary demo and tasting.
  • Exploring Myco-Morphosis and fungal architecture.
  • Understanding The Dark Side of the 'Shroom with Poison, Cordyceps and Parasites.
  • Conversations with local Knowledge Keepers about the significance and protocols around fungi .
  • Explore the role of mushrooms and psychedelics in the archaeological record.
  • Learn about the relationship between Sacred Mushrooms and Mental Health.
  • Explore and learn about mushroom identification on these Lands.
  • All-ages activities of mushroom dissection and Spore Print Art.
  • Shop the Mycelium Market for fungi-themed local products from t-shirts and jewellery to medicines, locally-grown mushrooms, and teas.
  • ...and more!

TICKETS

Due to the popularity of this event, ticket reservations are strongly recommended as capacity is limited.

Admission

Free for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) individuals.

Included with a Spark Membership.

Reduced prices for non-Indigenous folks: Adults: $10.00 | Youth: $5.00

All tickets include access to the event as well as admission to the exhibits and galleries, Brainasium Outdoor Park, Infinity Dome theatre, Spark Eatery and Astronaut Ice Cream café.

  • LOCATION
  • INSPIRATION STAGE

Live Cooking Show and Tasting with Cree Chef Shane Chartrand

In this exciting culinary demo, learn how to prepare different mushroom dishes as inspired by ingredients native to these Lands.

Observe, listen, and even TASTE all four masterful courses from Top Chef Canada contestant and Cree Chef, Shane Chartrand!

Tickets for this culinary demo includes Chef Shane Chartrand's cookbook, tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine.

Check out this FUNgi menu:

Lobster Mushroom Arancini - Risotto | Tomato Truffle Foam

King Oyster Camembert Salad - Cucumber | Saskatoon Berry Balsamic Emulsion | Petite Greens

Portobella Steak - Tonkatsu Sauce | Celery | Chili Threads | Parsley

Chocolate Mushroom Garden - Mushroom Cream | Shimeji Pralines | Chocolate Soil | Red Currants

Schedule: 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Cost: $25.00/person

Not included with a Spark Membership.

All courses are vegetarian, nut free, and gluten free! Please be advised that this menu is fixed and cannot be modified to accommodate individual dietary requirements.

Buy Tickets

Feature Events

  • LOCATION
  • FEATURE GALLERY

Protocols & Puffballs

Conversation with Elders and Knowledge Keepers about the significance and protocols of fungi within local Indigenous cultures, ceremony, spirituality, medicines, and even tipi designs. This discussion takes place from 6:30 to 7:15 PM.

  • LOCATION
  • FEATURE GALLERY NORTH

Sacred Mushrooms & Mental Health

Mind medicines, like psilocybin, have the potential to initiate a mind-healing process for some people where conventional medicines have failed. This talk combines plant protocols and relationships with the current interest in "magic mushrooms" for mental wellness, shared alongside personal stories. Be prepared for mind-bending ideas about how mushrooms can connect to you.

Sessions are held from 5:30 to 6:00 PM and 8:00 to 8:30 PM.

  • LOCATION
  • GALLERY 1

Myco-Morphosis: Fungal Architecture

Can fungi be the future of environmentally sustainable building materials? Researchers, designers, and creators are working on this question. Today, fungi are being used to make leather, bricks, and packaging materials among other things. Join us for this small-scale workshop that explores growing/building a planting pot with mycelium and agricultural waste. The workshop is offered by Dr. Tatenda Mambo at the Simpson Center for Food and Agricultural Policy and fellow members of the Soil Camp, a network of researchers and educators who care for the land, soil, and other more-than-humans including fungi.

  • LOCATION
  • GALLERY 1

The Dark Side of the 'Shroom: Poison, Parasites, & Cordyceps

Is “The Last of Us” possible? How to cordyceps take over an insects body? How to identify poisonous or edible fungi? Learn about the science of the dark side of mushrooms. Led by The Alberta Mycology Network

  • LOCATION
  • FEATURE GALLERY SOUTH

Mycelium Market

Shop local! Featuring mushroom-themed jewellery, apparel and goods.

  • LOCATION
  • STEVEN'S LAB

Mycelium Leatherworks

Unlock the potential of mushrooms with our DIY mycelium leather keychains! This vegan leather alternative is not only kind to the planet but feels just like the real deal. Use classic leatherworking tools to stamp, shape, and stitch your way to a fabulous fungi fashion statement!

Available while supplies last!

  • LOCATION
  • CREATIVE KIDS MUSEUM

Spore Print Art

An all-ages activity to learn about mushroom identification while creating unique works of art.

  • LOCATION
  • BUILDING WIDE

Chasin' Spores

Can you escape the zombie mushroom apocalypse? Join the fun in this survival-themed scavenger hunt.

  • LOCATION
  • FEATURE GALLERY NORTH

The Stoned Age

Join Katelyn McIntyre for a TED-style talk exploring the role of mushrooms and psychedelics in the archaeological record. Discover how these natural substances have influenced human cultures throughout history, from ancient rituals to modern understandings of consciousness.

Schedule: 5:30 to 6:00 PM and 8:00 to 8:30 PM.

  • LCOATION
  • INFINITY DOME

Fungi: Web of Life

All life on Earth is connected by a great mystery we are only just beginning to unravel. Narrator, Bjork takes audiences on an adventure beginning in the mysterious world of the forest floor, where fungi are the central players in nature’s story of birth, death, and rebirth to discover that life as we know it simply would not exist without them.

  • LOCATION
  • GALLERY 1

Memory

A film created by USAY following the journey of a young child forced into a residential school, as the story unfolds, we witness their struggle to reclaim their identity and navigate the scars of the past. This powerful narrative explores the enduring impact of trauma across generations while highlighting the healing potential that connection and resilience can bring.

In Portable Planetarium.

  • LOCATION
  • BUILDING WIDE

Deep Underground Club - Mobile Mushroom DJ

Feel the beat with fungi inspired music, setting the mood for a night of music, movement and discovery.

Presenter Bios

  • PRESENTING
  • INDIGENOUS CULINARY DEMO AND TASTING

Shane Chartrand

Acclaimed chef Shane M. Chartrand’s debut cookbook explores the reawakening of Indigenous cuisine and what it means to cook, eat, and share food in our homes and communities.

Born to Cree parents and raised by a Métis father and Mi’kmaw-Irish mother, Shane M. Chartrand has spent the past ten years learning about his history, visiting with other First Nations peoples, gathering and sharing knowledge and stories, and creating dishes that combine his interests and express his personality. Shane is the executive chef at the acclaimed SC Restaurant in the River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, Alberta, on Treaty 6 Territory.

  • PRESENTING
  • SACRED MUSHROOMS & MENTAL HEALTH

Sharon Foster

Sharon is a certified counsellor (CCC) and a member of The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) soon to be College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (CCTA). She is also a certified teacher. As an educator, counsellor, consultant and researcher in health and wellness, she implements effective psychotherapy methods to instill self-understanding among clients and offers facilitation of new attitudes and feelings towards life situations of the past, present and future.

  • PRESENTING
  • MYCO-MORPHOSIS: FUNGAL ARCHITECTURE

Tatenda Mamba

Tatenda has a PhD in Geography from the University of Calgary where he studied food insecurity in Southern Africa, looking at the issues of food security, gender and HIV/AIDS. Tatenda was previously a postdoctoral associate with the School of Architecture Planning and Landscape at the University of Calgary where his research addressed sustainability, sustainable food systems, regenerative agriculture, and food security. Additionally, he was an instructor in the Sustainability Studies Program at UCalgary.

  • PRESENTING
  • THE STONED AGE

Katelyn McIntyre

Katelyn is a proud queer biracial science communicator, anthropologist, and lover of all things 'old'. After graduating from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Anthropology, Katelyn moved to the vibrant city of Calgary to continue spreading her passion for people. Her mother states that she "came out screaming," and rumour has it she hasn't stopped raising her voice since.

FEATURED ITEMS

  • FEATURE FOOD

Saskatoon Berry Glazed Chicken, Wild Mushroom Risotto with Potato Straws

Savor the rich, earthy flavors of wild mushrooms in a creamy risotto with tender Saskatoon berry-glazed chicken. Crispy potato straws add a delightful crunch to this hearty dish.

  • FEATURE DRINK

Chaga-Infused Hot Chocolate

Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Sauce, Chaga Tea, Cinnamon, Sea Salt, Maple Syrup, decorated with whipping cream, mushroom chocolate biscuits and Chaga powder. 12oz $6 or 16oz $7.

Help promote The Fungus Among Us.

Download and print The Fungus Among Us poster to help spread the word about Indigenous Science Night on October 18, 2024. Post it in schools, offices, and community centres to help raise awareness and participate in this community event.

Download The Fungus Among Us poster (PDF)

Indigenous Engagement Fund

You can donate by choosing Indigenous Engagement fund from the dropdown menu on the donate page.

Donate Here

Introducing: The Gathering Circle

In partnership with the Spark Indigenous Advisory Circle and the Indigenous community, a new Gathering Circle is being built in the Brainasium outdoor Park, as a place to gather and share stories.

The Brainasium