For over 25 years, the Bluewater Association for Lifelong Learning (BALL) has been a trusted source of thoughtful, engaging, and accessible education for adults in our region. Rooted in the belief that learning is a lifelong pursuit, BALL provides high-quality lectures in a welcoming, non-academic environment that encourages curiosity, connection, and personal growth.
Each year, from September through April, BALL presents four carefully curated lecture series. Each series varies in length and theme, ensuring a dynamic range of topics across the season. Lectures are designed to inspire and inform, with subjects spanning history, science, the arts, global and contemporary issues, and more. Whether you’re passionate about cultural exploration or looking to better understand today’s world, there’s always something new to discover at BALL.
“We’re proud to open this season with a powerful and timely series:
“Treaties, Culture, History, and Emerging Issues: Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Turtle Island.”
Developed in consultation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, this series invites participants to engage in respectful listening and learning. Together, we will examine treaties, explore Indigenous culture and history, and reflect on the emerging issues facing the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and other Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. It is a unique opportunity to challenge ourselves to relearn the past and approach our shared history with fresh understanding,” said organizers.
All lectures are held Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound. For those who attend in person, a friendly coffee break at 11 a.m. offers the chance to chat, reflect, and build community with fellow lifelong learners.
To ensure accessibility and flexibility, BALL also offers live online streaming of every lecture. Can’t make it Thursday morning? No problem—on-demand recordings are made available the following week, so members can watch at their own pace, anytime, from anywhere. This hybrid approach allows organizers to bring the joy of lifelong learning to people across the region and beyond, regardless of location or schedule.
The speakers are experts and storytellers from across disciplines—professors, journalists, authors, scientists, artists, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and more. Each one brings passion, insight, and depth to the topics they explore, making every lecture a meaningful experience.
“What truly sets BALL apart is our commitment to making education a joyful, shared experience. With no exams, no assignments, and no pressure, members can engage fully in learning for its own sake. At BALL, learning is not a task—it’s a celebration of curiosity,” said organizers. “We invite you to be part of this thriving community of thinkers, learners, and explorers. Whether in person or online, there’s a place for you at BALL.”
The fall lecture series begins on September 11.
For tickets contact online at Bluewaterlearns.com
Ticket prices are $66 for the six-lecture series and HST is included.
