CITY-WIDE PROGRAMMING
May 30 – June 25
Celebrate Indigenous Culture All Summer with Hands-On Workshops, Live Art, Theatre, and the Energetic Pow Wow Workout Series at Partner Venues Throughout Ottawa
Programming at the National Arts Centre
The Vamp and Moccasin Workshop is a three-part series at the National Arts Centre’s Atelier Shenkman Smith (1 Elgin Street). On May 30, participants will bead moccasin vamps while learning about their cultural meaning. On June 4 and 5, they will complete their own pair of moccasins. Open to all skill levels, this hands-on workshop offers a warm, welcoming space to craft, connect, and share stories. Attendance at all three sessions is required.
Visit the National Arts Centre website for details and to register.
Join us on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Rossy Pavilion at the National Arts Centre for a unique two-hour life-drawing session. Participants will have the opportunity to sketch the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their regalia, capturing the energy and movement on paper. This immersive experience offers a chance to engage with Indigenous culture through art. All skill levels are welcome, and materials will be provided.
Join Amanda Fox on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. for a 45-minute Powwow Workout at the National Arts Centre. This high-intensity fitness session blends powwow dance steps from various styles with energizing music, offering a full-body workout rooted in Indigenous traditions. Open to all fitness levels, the class provides an engaging way to experience culture through movement. No prior dance experience is necessary.
On Friday, June 6, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Gail & David O’Brien Atrium at the National Arts Centre transforms into the Summer Indigenous Art Market. This vibrant, family-friendly event features a wide range of handmade creations by Indigenous artists and artisans—from traditional crafts to contemporary works. Explore, connect, and support local Indigenous talent in a welcoming and inspiring setting.
Discover the meaning and artistry behind traditional dreamcatchers at a hands-on workshop with Ashley Clark of Bougie Birch on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Held at the National Arts Centre’s Atelier Shenkman Smith (1 Elgin Street), this 1.5 to 2-hour session invites participants to create their own dreamcatcher while learning about its cultural significance. Open to all, this experience offers connection, creativity, and cultural insight.
Experience the powerful story of Marguerite Duplessis, an Indigenous woman who fought for her freedom in 1740s Quebec, in Émilie Monnet’s Marguerite: le feu. This multidisciplinary French-language production blends theatre, movement, and sound to explore themes of justice, memory, and resistance. Performances take place June 12 and 13, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Babs Asper Theatre at the National Arts Centre. The show runs approximately 60 minutes with no intermission and contains mature themes.
Visit the NAC website for more information and to purchase tickets.
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., the National Arts Centre’s Atelier Shenkman Smith (1 Elgin Street) hosts a Beaded Earring Workshop led by Stephanie Peltier of Deliaestelle Designs. Participants will receive a beginner beading kit containing all necessary materials to create a pair of beaded earrings, including a surprise bead colour. This hands-on session offers an opportunity to learn about Indigenous beadwork traditions and engage in a creative cultural experience.(National Arts Centre)
Education Days at the Canadian Museum of History
Education Day at the 2025 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival offers an enriching opportunity for students and educators to engage with Indigenous cultures. Taking place at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, on June 16 & 17, this event features a variety of interactive workshops, live performances, and cultural demonstrations. It provides participants with hands-on experiences to learn about Indigenous art, traditions, and history. The event is designed to cater to different educational levels, ensuring an engaging and informative experience for all attendees.
Through Education Day, the festival fosters understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures by offering immersive learning opportunities. It encourages reflection on Canada’s Indigenous heritage while contributing to cultural awareness and reconciliation efforts.
Registration for 2025 is closed. If you would like to be among the first to receive information about Education Day 2026, please fill out this form.
