Amanda Rheaume’s rootsy, guitar-driven ballads introduce crucial dimensions to the world of Heartland Rock. A Citizen of the Métis Nation, and an active and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Rheaume’s music is indeed from the heart and from the land. First a songwriter, Rheaume comes from a long line of tireless, transformational organizers and...

9 stations available per session. Each station can accommodate 1 – 3 people. In this workshop, you will have your own cooking station to follow along with Chef Jenni Lessard in creating a meal to enjoy! Traditional Métis Comfort Soup: This hearty soup features ground bison simmered in a flavorful smoked bison bone broth, complemented...

This workshop takes place over two sessions – May 29 and June 5. The Moccasin Workshop offers a unique opportunity for individuals to learn the art of crafting moccasins. This workshop provides participants with hands-on experience in crafting and constructing their own pair of moccasins.  Participants leave with not only a beautiful pair of handmade...

Join us in the NAC’s Atelier Shenkman Smith for Bougie Birch's Dreamcatcher Workshop for Kids. Unleash your child's creativity and cultural curiosity at our Dreamcatcher Workshop! Join us for an immersive experience where kids will learn the art of crafting their very own dreamcatcher, while discovering rich teachings of Indigenous cultures, such as the 7...

This interactive workshop introduces participants of all ages to Indigenous Music. You will learn about this “heartbeat” of mother earth before learning some stomp dance songs on traditional rattles.

FREE CONCERT AS PART OF THE JUKEBOX LUNCH CONCERTS SERIES AT PETER A. HERNDORF PLACE Sandrine Masse started her career as a violist of classical background. Her love for folk, prog rock and traditional music brought her to collaborate with artists and collectives of diverse genres and from around the globe, as a violist, back-up...

Explore the woodland art work of Rhonda Snow and uncover the oral history of the sacred Ojibwe Spirit Horses through the art.

Got Land? is a stand-up comedy variety show where First Nation, Inuit, and Métis entertainers tell jokes and share individual life stories. Indigenous comedians’ express solidarity though humour, but some just tell jokes! So, keep your ear to the ground and your eyes to the skies, as Got Land? brings its unique style of comedy to National Indigenous History...

This interactive workshop introduces participants of all ages to Indigenous Music. You will learn about this “heartbeat” of mother earth before learning some stomp dance songs on traditional rattles.

Come join us for this two-hour life-drawing session where you can capture the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their regalia on your own paper. Participants will bring their own material and work with art facilitators to create drawings that capture both the movement of the dancers and their regalia. Suitable intermediate to advanced artists....

Our Stories: Indigenous Book Club is back for Indigenous History Month and you’re invited to join in! In partnership with Ottawa Public Library, this session features Making Love with the Land. On June 11 at 7pm EDT, join us for this conversation with author Joshua Whitehead (Oji-Cree - Peguis First Nation) to discuss the book and connect...

NAC Premiere A Savage Society and NAC Indigenous Theatre Production An epic Métis love story. A love story, a historical epic, and a celebration of Métis song and dance, You used to call me Marie… brings to life the stories of the Callihoo women in Alberta. Music fills the air, and ponies dance as Marie Callihoo's story...

Experience the excitement of song, drum and dance with live Indigenous performances in the Museum’s beautiful Grand Hall. Join us for a special weekend at the Museum where performers from Mādahòkì Farm will bring you and your family closer to the cultural practices of Inuit throat-singing and pow-wow drum and dance, including hoop dancing. Mādahòkì...

Experience the excitement of song, drum and dance with live Indigenous performances in the Museum’s beautiful Grand Hall. Join us for a special weekend at the Museum where performers from Mādahòkì Farm will bring you and your family closer to the cultural practices of Inuit throat-singing and pow-wow drum and dance, including hoop dancing. Mādahòkì...

In this participants will learn about the Mohawk language and the history behind it. They will learn this by looking at the Mohawk alphabet and using it to pronounce the words correctly. By doing this we are able to teach the uniqueness of indigenous languages.

Gather with us in the Gail & David O’Brien Atrium as we host Indigenous artists and artisans for the Summer Indigenous Art Market at the National Arts Centre. Join in on the community spirit by supporting artists, seeing friends and connecting with arts and culture. The Indigenous Art Market features the diverse and amazing work...

Experience the excitement of song, drum and dance with live Indigenous performances in the Museum’s beautiful Grand Hall. Join us for a special weekend at the Museum where performers from Mādahòkì Farm will bring you and your family closer to the cultural practices of Inuit throat-singing and pow-wow drum and dance, including hoop dancing. Mādahòkì...

Experience the excitement of song, drum and dance with live Indigenous performances in the Museum’s beautiful Grand Hall. Join us for a special weekend at the Museum where performers from Mādahòkì Farm will bring you and your family closer to the cultural practices of Inuit throat-singing and pow-wow drum and dance, including hoop dancing. Mādahòkì...

Join us for a night of laughter, learning, and celebration at the Indigenous Trivia Night presented by Indigenous Theatre and hosted by the hilarious comedian Janelle Niles! Gather your friends, family, and colleagues for a memorable night of entertainment while testing your knowledge on Indigenous arts, culture and history. Whether you're a trivia master or just looking...

Join us in the NAC’s Atelier Shenkman Smith for Bougie Birch's Dreamcatcher Workshop. Under the guidance of Indigenous artist and educator, Ashley Clark, craft your own dreamcatcher in a 2-3 hour session. We supply the materials; you bring the inspiration. Dive into Indigenous artistry, learn about the resilience of Indigenous communities throughout history, and be part of a...

In this participants will learn about the Mohawk language and the history behind it. They will learn this by looking at the Mohawk alphabet and using it to pronounce the words correctly. By doing this we are able to teach the uniqueness of indigenous languages.

We are excited to welcome registered teachers, students and home school groups to the Canadian Museum of History on June 19 for FREE Indigenous Programming during Education Day, presented by BMO Financial Group. Nous sommes heureux d’accueillir les enseignant(e)s, les élèves et les groupes d’enseignement à domicile inscrits au Musée canadien de l’histoire le 19...

FREE CONCERT AS PART OF THE JUKEBOX LUNCH CONCERTS SERIES AT PETER A. HERRNDORF PLACE Mohawk folk and soul musician Logan Staats began as a diamond in the rough on the streets of Brantford, Ontario. He played the local circuit for years before his 2015 debut release ‘Goodbye Goldia’, an unvarnished yet hard hitting folk...

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. As part of the Indigenous History Month celebrations in the ByWard Market, the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA) is partnering with local social enterprise, Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G), and their flagship boutique Adaawewigamig, located in the historic...

Explore the woodland art work of Rhonda Snow and uncover the oral history of the sacred Ojibwe Spirit Horses through the art.

Métis Games Hatchet throwing and archery Inuit Games Join Stranger to explore some of the more popular Inuit Games Ojibwe Spirit Horses Meet some of Canada’s only Indigenous horses. This rare and endangered breed, the Ojibwe Spirit horses, almost went extinct in the 1970s, with only 4 remaining. This is your chance to catch a...

We have something for everyone in the family in our Family Fun Zone. Métis Games Try your hand at some traditional Metis Games like Hatchet Throwing & Archery. All ages. Ojibwe Spirit Horses Meet some of the rare and endangered Ojbiwe Spirit Horses – Canada’s only Indigenous horse breed. Farm Play Come have fun at...

Discover the artistic world of Christine Toulouse, an emerging Anishinaabe artist from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. Specializing in quillwork, an intricate form of embroidery utilizing dyed or natural-colored porcupine quills woven into birch bark. Discover her works symbolizing the harmonious connection between the land, seasons, and memory and all of the natural materials that Christine...

One of 12 grandchildren of Algonquin master canoe builders, William and Mary Commanda, Chuck remembers doing this with his Grandparents, harvesting the bark and building in their yard in Kitigan Zibi. Fast forward 40 plus years and Chuck has built more than 50 canoes along with birch bark baskets and wigwams. All with a little...

DROP-IN Celebrate the National Gallery of Canada’s newest exhibit “Radical Stitch” which looks at the contemporary and transformative context of beading. Drop in at this booth hosted by National Gallery of Canada to create a simple beaded bracelet and learn more about the exhibit.

1:00PM | ELDER OPENING CEREMONY Gathered on the traditional and unceded lands of the Algonquin peoples and their descendants, the 2024 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival welcomes all to celebrate the richness of Indigenous cultures. An Elder will make remarks and perform a traditional welcome ceremony. 1:15PM | OPENING REMARKS The 2024 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival...

You are invited to join us for an amazing Indigenous dining experience at Chef Tawnya Brant’s Long table feast.  Chef Tawnya Brant of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory competed on Season 10 of Top Chef Canada. Two sessions are available, lunch at 1 PM and dinner at 6 PM. The featured meal will...

DROP-IN A fun game for all ages where participants follow along with the host, learning Algonquin language for all the letters and numbers to call out BINGO! One hour of fun Bingo games with many winners with choice of prizes.

The Six Nations Women Singers is one of the most influential female Native American singing groups. Formed on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada, the Six Nations Women Singers are led by Sadie Buck, a member of the Tonawanda Reservation in New York who has taught at Music Courses at...

Darcy Whitecrow, a member of the Seine River First Nation band in Northwestern Ontario, embraces traditional Ojibwe and Dakota lifestyles, including trapping, fishing, and ricing, and practices traditional spirituality in the Midewiwin and Sundance traditions. Alongside his partner Kim, he founded Grey Raven Ranch, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the Ojibwe Horses breed and their...

Join Rhonda Snow for an interactive EAL experience with the Ojibwe spirit ponies.  Rhonda is not only a certified EAL facilitator, but a knowledge keeper and renowned artist bringing the stories of this rare and endangered breed of pony to life. During this experience, you will learn about the powerful stallion “Tony the Rainy Lake Pony”...

COST: $20 each AGE: 5+ DURATION: 45 minutes to 1 hour The Dreamcatcher Kit includes 18 glass crow beads, suede, a 4″ metal ring, 18 real feathers, artificial sinew, and instructions for a unique, hands-on experience. It features a handmade center bead with the four sacred medicines and an information card to educate users about...

COST: Free (Pre-Registration Required) DURATION: 2 hours Come join us for this two-hour life-drawing session where you can capture the dynamic beauty of powwow dances and their regalia on your own paper. Participants will bring their own material and work with art facilitators to create drawings that capture both the movement of the dancers and...

Originating in the Red River area, the Métis jig is a combination of First Nations dancing, Scottish and French-Canadian step-dancing, and reel, jig, and quadrille steps. Brad Lafortune began jigging at a young age and believes the dance is an interactive way to physically engage individuals of any age, all the while learning about the...

Scott Sixkiller Sinquah is proud to represent the Gila River Pima, Hopi/Tewa, Cherokee, and Choctaw Nations. Coming from the southwest in Arizona, he is a two-time and the current World Hoop Dance Champion. Scott has been fortunate to travel and share the Hoop Dance all across Turtle Island, as well as overseas into the United...

COST: $40 includes material including birch bark & porcupine quills DURATION: 1 hour Join Christine Toulouse, a First Nations artist, for a one-hour quillwork workshop. You’ll learn how to craft a one-of-a-kind keychain keepsake using seasonally hand-harvested birch bark and porcupine quills. Christine meticulously hand-harvests and processes natural materials, emphasizing the significance of quillwork as...

CBC Ottawa's Creator Network is a place where you can tell your story, through your lens, in collaboration with CBC. The Creator Network team will be onsite on Friday, June 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. to connect with local Indigenous creators and hear about the stories from your community that you think others should know...

The Six Nations Women Singers is one of the most influential female Native American singing groups. Formed on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada, the Six Nations Women Singers are led by Sadie Buck, a member of the Tonawanda Reservation in New York who has taught at Music Courses at...

There is a legend among the Inuit about the halo that appears around the sun. Known in some parts as siqiniup qilauta—roughly translated, “the sun’s drum”, it is a good sign; a symbol of good luck.Siqiniup Qilauta is also name of our musical group. Located in Ottawa, we have travelled nationally and internationally demonstrating traditional...

Dorothy Taylor, an Elder and Knowledge Keeper from Curve Lake First Nation, founded the Sacred Water Circle, a volunteer-run initiative fostering relationships with water, the earth, and all non-human relatives. Through collaborative efforts with youth and various communities in Peterborough, the Circle promotes the message ‘Water is Life’ through activities like Water Walks and knowledge...

Join Rhonda Snow for an interactive EAL experience with the Ojibwe spirit ponies.  Rhonda is not only a certified EAL facilitator, but a knowledge keeper and renowned artist bringing the stories of this rare and endangered breed of pony to life. During this experience, you will learn about the powerful stallion “Tony the Rainy Lake Pony”...

Originating in the Red River area, the Métis jig is a combination of First Nations dancing, Scottish and French-Canadian step-dancing, and reel, jig, and quadrille steps. Brad Lafortune began jigging at a young age and believes the dance is an interactive way to physically engage individuals of any age, all the while learning about the...

The Competition Pow Wow is the heart of the festival, attracting the best dancers from across North America and providing a non-stop kaleidoscope of colour set to the powerful beat of the drums.

You are invited to join us for an amazing Indigenous dining experience at Chef Tawnya Brant’s Long table feast.  Chef Tawnya Brant of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory competed on Season 10 of Top Chef Canada. Two sessions are available, lunch at 1 PM and dinner at 6 PM. The featured meal will...

DROP-IN A fun game for all ages where participants follow along with the host, learning Algonquin language for all the letters and numbers to call out BINGO! One hour of fun Bingo games with many winners with choice of prizes.

Cap off the evening of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day as our competition pow wow kicks off with a bang! Starting at 6:00 PM, get ready for the committee specials featuring our host drum for 2024 – Northern Cree!  Northern Cree Singers are one of the most respected and popular pow wow drum groups in North America. ...

9:00AM | POW WOW PITCH REGISTRATION Pow Wow Pitch provides a platform for Indigenous entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative business ideas and gain valuable exposure within the entrepreneurial community. Same-day registration takes place at 9:00AM. 10:00AM | POW WOW PITCH ROUND 1 Pow Wow Pitch offers a pitching contest for Indigenous entrepreneurs spanning Turtle Island,...

One of 12 grandchildren of Algonquin master canoe builders, William and Mary Commanda, Chuck remembers doing this with his Grandparents, harvesting the bark and building in their yard in Kitigan Zibi. Fast forward 40 plus years and Chuck has built more than 50 canoes along with birch bark baskets and wigwams. All with a little...

Janet McCue from Curve Lake First Nation is a long time leader and advocate who dedicates her time to raising awareness for social justice, empowering her Aboriginal community and providing education to local schools and museums. Recently Janet has been named knowledge keeper at the Peterborough Courts and for the Elizabeth Fry Society. Janet will...

COST: Free (Pre-registration required) AGE: 15+ DURATION: 1 hour The Blanket Exercise is based on Indigenous methodologies and the goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the...

Darcy Whitecrow, a member of the Seine River First Nation band in Northwestern Ontario, embraces traditional Ojibwe and Dakota lifestyles, including trapping, fishing, and ricing, and practices traditional spirituality in the Midewiwin and Sundance traditions. Alongside his partner Kim, he founded Grey Raven Ranch, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the Ojibwe Horses breed and their...

The Competition Pow Wow is the heart of the festival, attracting the best dancers from across North America and providing a non-stop kaleidoscope of colour set to the powerful beat of the drums.

COST: $20 includes materials DURATION: 2 hours Hair-pipe beads are long cylinder-shaped beads typically made from bones. They have a long history with Indigenous people, as far back as the late 1800’s. These bone beads were first used as trading beads but as manufacturing them became easier and the beads were more readily available in...

Dorothy Taylor, an Elder and Knowledge Keeper from Curve Lake First Nation, founded the Sacred Water Circle, a volunteer-run initiative fostering relationships with water, the earth, and all non-human relatives. Through collaborative efforts with youth and various communities in Peterborough, the Circle promotes the message ‘Water is Life’ through activities like Water Walks and knowledge...

CHEF: Trudy Metcalfe-Coe COST: $100 per station (max. 4 people per station) AGE: 8+ (or with Adult Participation) DURATION: 1 hour Chef Trudy Metcalfe Coe, is an award winning Inuk Chef, originally from Newfoundland and Labrador. In this interactive cooking workshop, Trudy will lead the group to prepare a popular meal from the North in...

Born in St. John’s, NL, raised in Ottawa, ON, Aalla (Stranger) has spent more than a decade demonstrating and teaching traditional Inuit games. If your child attends school in Ottawa, it’s more than likely that Stranger has taught their class about the Inuit culture. Aalla will be joined by his son, who has inherited his...

CHEF: Trudy Metcalfe-Coe COST: $100 per station (max. 4 people per station) AGE: 8+ (or with Adult Participation) DURATION: 1 hour Chef Trudy Metcalfe Coe, is an award winning Inuk Chef, originally from Newfoundland and Labrador. In this interactive cooking workshop, Trudy will lead the group to prepare a popular meal from the North in...

Born in St. John’s, NL, raised in Ottawa, ON, Aalla (Stranger) has spent more than a decade demonstrating and teaching traditional Inuit games. If your child attends school in Ottawa, it’s more than likely that Stranger has taught their class about the Inuit culture. Aalla will be joined by his son, who has inherited his...

Dorothy Taylor, an Elder and Knowledge Keeper from Curve Lake First Nation, founded the Sacred Water Circle, a volunteer-run initiative fostering relationships with water, the earth, and all non-human relatives. Through collaborative efforts with youth and various communities in Peterborough, the Circle promotes the message ‘Water is Life’ through activities like Water Walks and knowledge...

Join Rhonda Snow for an interactive EAL experience with the Ojibwe spirit ponies.  Rhonda is not only a certified EAL facilitator, but a knowledge keeper and renowned artist bringing the stories of this rare and endangered breed of pony to life. During this experience, you will learn about the powerful stallion “Tony the Rainy Lake Pony”...

The Competition Pow Wow is the heart of the festival, attracting the best dancers from across North America and providing a non-stop kaleidoscope of colour set to the powerful beat of the drums.

COST: Free DURATION: 2 hours Test your knowledge of Indigenous in a fun and interactive way with Trivia Night! Fun for all ages and great prizes. Host: Janelle Niles

Be amazed as 250 drones light up the sky over Mādahòkì Farm to tell the story and teachings of the Seven Grandfathers. With this incredible immersive storytelling experience, you will watch canoes paddle, bison walk and eagles soar over the skyline while you learn more about one of the most common Indigenous teachings – the...