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Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Moves to Wesley Clover Parks for 2025 Edition

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Moves to Wesley Clover Parks for 2025 Edition

Ottawa, ON, March 20, 2025 — The highly anticipated Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) is moving to Wesley Clover Parks for this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, June 21-22. The new venue provides more space to enhance the festival and celebrate the culture, traditions, and contemporary expressions of Indigenous Peoples.

Wesley Clover Parks, located in Ottawa’s west end near Highways 416 and 417, is easily accessible by car and public transit, with ample onsite parking and camping grounds. Spanning nearly 500 acres, the park features tree-lined areas, open fields, and a 10,000-square-foot covered pavilion, making it an ideal venue for the festival. Its flexibility ensures a perfect setting for the International Competition Pow Wow, rain or shine. This year’s Pow Wow will feature Grammy-nominated Bear Creek and 2024 champions Battle Nation as Host Drums.

In addition to the Pow Wow, highlights for this year’s festival include the Glow-in-the-Dark Pow Wow, and an exciting drone show. Attendees can participate in workshops, culinary experiences, and explore the Indigenous Marketplace. Family-friendly fun includes the SuperDogs, Jed the Mechanical Bull, axe throwing, and Inuit Games. Madahoki Farm’s Ojibwe Spirit Horses will also be on-site, along with many more exciting experiences.

“This move to Wesley Clover Parks enables us to create an even more immersive and engaging festival experience,” said Trina Mather-Simard, CEO of Indigenous Experiences and Producer of Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. “We’re excited to welcome guests to our new location, offering ample onsite parking, where they can enjoy diverse and vibrant Indigenous programming, including music, dance, food, and interactive activities—all for free.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival to Wesley Clover Parks in 2025. This partnership marks a beautiful intersection of culture, community, and nature. As an outdoor hub dedicated to promoting learning and connection with nature, we are honoured to provide a space for this vibrant celebration of Indigenous heritage. We look forward to offering an unforgettable experience to festival-goers in the heart of the National Capital Greenbelt.” Karen Sparks, Executive Director, Wesley Clover Parks

Throughout June, programming will take place at partner venues such as the National Arts Centre and the Canadian Museum of History, with additional partners to be announced this spring. The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is a must-attend event that unites Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in a spirit of celebration and reconciliation.

For more information, the full festival schedule, and updates, visit https://summersolsticefestivals.ca and follow us on SSIF Instagram (@solsticefestivals), SSIF Facebook #SSIF2025. 

About Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

Founded in Ottawa in 1996, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) is an annual multi-disciplinary arts event celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. Produced by Indigenous Experiences on behalf of the NIPD Committee, which represents Indigenous communities across Canada, the festival unites artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s rich and diverse Indigenous cultures.

Media Contact: 
Mary Jelley
mary@kowconnected.ca
613-791-6703 

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PHOTOS: National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Mādahòkì Farm

PHOTOS: National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Mādahòkì Farm

June 24, 2024: OTTAWA

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Mādahòkì Farm kicked off on Friday with a full schedule of events to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The free event, which ran from Friday to Sunday, offered activities, games and performances highlighting Indigenous culture. A competition pow wow was taking place on the farm at the same time, welcoming drummers and dancers from across North America.

The calendar of events for National Indigenous Peoples Day was packed. It included performances by throat singers and world champion hoop dancer Scott Sinquah, workshops on quillwork and dreamcatchers, storytelling, a glow in the dark evening pow wow and a “family fun zone” with games and a mechanical bull named Jed.

See all photos here. 

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Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival kicks off near Ottawa on Indigenous Peoples Day

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival kicks off near Ottawa on Indigenous Peoples Day

(click the image to watch the interview)

June 21, 2024: OTTAWA

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival kicked off at Mādahòkì Farm just southwest of Ottawa. The festival will welcome 30,000 visitors over the weekend. APTN’s Fraser Needham made the trip for Indigenous Peoples Day to hear more about the festivities.

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Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Returns to Mādahòkì Farm and adds Authentic Programming at Citywide Venues during Indigenous History Month

Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Returns to Mādahòkì Farm and adds Authentic Programming at Citywide Venues during Indigenous History Month

May 22, 2024: OTTAWA

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) returns to Mādahòkì Farm June 21-23 with community celebrations, cultural activities, a traditional long table dinner and an international competition Pow Wow all coinciding with National Indigenous Peoples Day. 

Throughout June, Indigenous History Month, the Festival is co-presenting lunchtime concerts, art workshops, special exhibits and other authentic Indigenous programming at partner venues across the city including the National Gallery, Ottawa Public Library, National Arts Centre, Canadian Museum of History and Byward Market. 

SSIF is a multidisciplinary arts festival that brings Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members together to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is hosting this year’s festival. Algonquin artists, performers, and storytellers from Kitigan Zibi, Pikwàkanagàn First Nations, and other communities across the country will take center stage amidst programming that includes Inuit and Métis representation.  

Join us for a wonderful celebration at Mādahòkì Farm (share the land), an Indigenous gathering place, working farm and cultural attraction.  The festival is FREE to attend.  Here is some of the programming scheduled for this year.

Free Admission | Free Park & Ride Shuttle


Indigenous Day Celebration (June 21)

  • Traditional Long Table Dinner (two seatings) – Feast prepared by Chef Tawnya Brant of 6 Nations of the Grand River – live performance by Logan Staats
  • Glow-in-the Dark Powwow with DJ Shub
  • Host Drum – Northern Cree** 
  • Ojibwe Spirit Horses – Interactive Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) with Rhonda Snow**
  • Mādahòkì Marketplace- Indigenous makers and farmers market**
  • All day Cultural entertainment on the Celebration stage including hoop dancing, Inuit throat singers and jiggers** 
  • Métis games (hatchet throwing and archery)**
  • Culinary and Creative workshops including birch bark Wigwam and canoe building demonstrations**
  • Free family programming, including a climbing wall and farm play – little animals, hay bales, Birds of Prey, Inukshuk building**  

Weekend Festival and Competition Pow Wow (June 22 &  June 23)

  • Introduction to Pow Wow (Sat. only)
  • Daily Grand Entry at 12 Noon and 6 PM (Sat. only) 
  • International Competition Pow Wow with over $75,000 in prize money
  • Drone Show themed “The Seven Grandfather Teachings” where 250 drones light up the night sky  (Sat.)
  • **SAME as above and more!

**THERE IS NO ONSITE PUBLIC PARKING at Mādahòkì Farm.  

Convenient Park & Ride Shuttle Service from Algonquin College runs every 30 minutes.  


About Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

Established in Ottawa in 1996, and held annually, Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) is a multi-disciplinary arts festival that celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day.  The Festival is produced by Indigenous Experiences on behalf of the NIPD Committee, which comprises organizations representing Indigenous communities across Canada.  Programming brings together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures.  The SSIMAs (Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards) are held biannually to honour and celebrate artistic excellence and accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit and Métis musicians across Canada will return in 2025. 

SSIF is grateful to all government funders and corporate sponsors for their ongoing commitment to supporting the stewardship of Canada’s rich cultural heritage.  2024 presenting level corporate sponsors are: BMO Financial Group, CN Railway, Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation, TD Bank Group 

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Five highlights of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

Five highlights of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

CBC Ottawa

From culinary workshops to a glow-in-the-dark powwow, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival returns to Mādahòkì Farm from June 21 to 23 with community celebrations, cultural activities, a traditional long table dinner and an international competition powwow all coinciding with National Indigenous Peoples Day. 

This multidisciplinary arts festival brings together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures.

CBC Ottawa is proud to partner with the Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. This year’s lineup of activities is full of family-friendly, educational and entertaining events.

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Meet Asemaa, our new foal, at SSIF 2024

Meet Asemaa, our new foal, at SSIF 2024

Lynn Saxburg, Ottawa Citizen

Ottawa’s Mādahòkì Farm welcomed its newest resident last week with the birth of a foal that represents the renewal of a rare Indigenous horse breed that almost died out in the 1970s. 

“Each foal is so important, and this one even more so because it’s a new stallion for our herd of Ojibwe spirit horses,” said Trina Mather-Simard, who runs the urban farm in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. It’s an offshoot of her non-profit company, Indigenous Experiences, which has been showcasing Indigenous culture in creative and authentic ways for more than two decades.

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Education Day is back, now at the Canadian Museum of History

Education Day is back, now at the Canadian Museum of History

Teachers can register to bring their students to the Canadian Museum of History on Wednesday, June 19th, for the 2024 Summer Solstice Education Day! This exciting event will feature engaging activities, including traditional games from the Métis and Inuit cultures, as well as a lively concert by Twin Flames. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about Indigenous cultures while having fun and making memories with their classmates. Don’t miss out on this enriching educational experience!

Register Now
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Calling for Food Vendors!

Calling for Food Vendors!

Hey foodies! Wanna be part of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival on June 21-22-23 at Mādahòkì Farm, Ottawa? We’re looking for food vendors!
Fill out the FOOD Vendor Registration and Agreement Form here: https://bit.ly/SSIF2024FoodVendorRegistration 

Register Now
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Summer Solstice Competition Pow Wow is Back!​

Summer Solstice Competition Pow Wow is Back!

Registration is now open! Experience the vibrant spirit of Indigenous culture at the 2024 Competition Pow Wow, part of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival! Enjoy exciting dance competitions, mesmerizing drum circles, and delicious Indigenous cuisine. Join us in celebrating heritage and resilience. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable cultural event!

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Drone light shows a potential firework alternative during wildfire season

Drone light shows a potential firework alternative during wildfire season

Eager crowds usually gather this weekend across Quebec to watch a fabulous fireworks display for St-Jean-Baptiste Day, but this year the sky will remain dark because of the record wildfire season.

In Quebec, a ban on outdoor fires — in effect across most of the province north of the St. Lawrence River — includes fireworks.

In Gatineau, residents won’t be able to launch fireworks or use sparklers during the festivities for the June 24 and July 1 holidays, the city said in a news release. 

There’s an alternative to fireworks, some argue, that could still light the sky for St-Jean-Baptiste Day and Canada Day without fears of sparking a fire.

Attendees to this year’s Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa took in a drone light show that told a creation story by elder and language keeper Barbara Nolan.

Drone light shows have become increasingly more popular, promoted as a quieter, more environmentally friendly and animal-friendly solution.

For this year’s Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa, organizers opted for such a display. Dozens of drones flew into the sky Wednesday night and formed constellations that told a creation story by elder and language keeper Barbara Nolan.

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