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.

Visit the National Arts Centre website for details.

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.

Visit the NAC website for more information.

Catch Alicia Kayley live at the Jukebox Lunch Concerts, presented in partnership with the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards. This free midday concert series features incredible Canadian talent in Peter A. Herrndorf Place. Alicia, a Pop R&B singer-songwriter from the Algonquin and Tahltan Nations, brings powerful, warm vocals and a classical-pop blend. A Carleton University music graduate, she’s working on her debut album with Crystal Shawanda’s label, amplifying the voices of Anishinaabe women in mainstream music.

 

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.

Visit the NAC website for more information.

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.

Visit the NAC website for more information and to register.

Catch Gerri Trimble live at the Jukebox Lunch Concerts, presented in partnership with the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards. Known as a “discerning and distinctive vocalist,” the Anishinaabe jazz singer-songwriter brings an inviting voice and adventurous repertoire to the stage. A regular on the Ottawa jazz scene, Gerri blends classic jazz influences with blues and country roots from her Northwestern Ontario upbringing. Her performances are rich with humour, heart, and original songs that wander just off the beaten path.

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)

Visit the NAC website for more information and to register.

Programming at the Canadian Museum of History

Experience the excitement of song, drum, and dance with live Indigenous performances in the Museum’s Grand Hall. Join us for a special day featuring artists from Mādahòkì Farm, who will showcase Métis jigging, Inuit throat singing, pow-wow drumming, and hoop dancing. Known for creating immersive cultural experiences, Mādahòkì Farm brings Indigenous traditions to life in a meaningful and respectful way.

Education Day at the 2025 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival takes place on June 16 & 17 and offers students and educators an enriching opportunity to engage with Indigenous cultures through interactive workshops, live performances, and cultural demonstrations. Designed for all grade levels, the event promotes hands-on learning, cultural appreciation, and reflection. Registration for 2025 is now closed. If you would like to be among the first to receive information about Education Day 2026, please fill out this form.

Programming at Ottawa Public Libraries

In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, author Michel Jean shares the often-overlooked stories of forced displacement and cultural erasure faced by First Nations, as told through his bestselling novel Kukum. Drawing from his Innu heritage and personal identity journey, Jean sheds light on Indigenous resilience, language preservation, and cultural survival. His acclaimed work has reached international audiences and earned numerous literary awards, highlighting his contribution to Canada’s cultural heritage.

Please note: This program is offered in French only.

For more information, click here.

Join the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada for an event with Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day and CEO of the Orange Shirt Society. A residential school survivor and published author, Phyllis shares her story to raise awareness, foster healing, and inspire reflection on Truth and Reconciliation. Her advocacy transformed the orange shirt into a national symbol of remembrance and commitment to change.

For more information, click here.

Programming in Downtown Ottawa

This vibrant, all-day event will feature over 60 Indigenous vendors offering handcrafted goods, delicious traditional foods, and dynamic live entertainment. Don’t miss the cultural fashion show spotlighting Indigenous designers and artists. Join the community for a day of celebration, connection, and Indigenous excellence.

For more information, click here.

The Ottawa Aboriginal Parade Committee invites the public to the 12th Annual #OttawaNADParade. This vibrant celebration of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures will take place at the picturesque Garden of the Provinces and Territories (400 Sparks Street). All are welcome to join.