INDIGENOUS HORSE EXPERIENCES
Saturday, June 21st • Sunday, June 22nd
Celebrate Indigenous Horsemanship and Heritage: Meet the rare Ojibwe Spirit Horses, experience the thrilling Indian Relay tradition, and witness live Woodland-style horse art in action.
Living the Legacy of Indian Relay | Saturday: 4:30 PM
Step into the world of Indian Relay at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival on June 21 in Ottawa. Kal Jackson presents a powerful cultural demonstration featuring traditional horse painting, bareback relay riding, and teachings led by a Knowledge Keeper. This 90-minute event highlights the athleticism, symbolism, and spiritual connection at the heart of Indigenous horsemanship. Discover the living legacy of Indigenous cowboy and warrior culture through story, movement, and the deep bond between horse and rider.
Meet & Greet Ojibwe Spirit Horses | Saturday & Sunday: Hourly Starting at 10:30 AM
Visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet and greet the rare and sacred Ojibwe Spirit Horses during the event. These gentle animals hold deep cultural and historical significance for Indigenous communities. Guests can learn about their incredible story of survival and the important role they play in traditional teachings. Interacting with the Spirit Horses offers a meaningful, hands-on experience that fosters respect for Indigenous heritage, animal stewardship, and the powerful connection between people and nature.
The Humble Horse
Em Loerzel, PHD, MSW, LCSW (White Earth Ojibwe from Minnesota) is the founder of The Humble Horse, a non profit dedicated to the preservation and revival of the Ojibwe horse breed. She is also a clinical social worker and a community based researcher focussing on mental wellness, violence prevention and nature based interventions. Em will introduce you to some of Mādahòkì Farm’s rare and endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horse breed.
Algonquin Acres
Lisa Vicaire is the founder of Algonquin Acres, an Indigenous-owned equine therapy centre in
Timiskaming First Nation. She started the farm at 25 to support Indigneous youth and families through horses, healing and culture. Lisa won the Pow Wow Pitch Competition at the 2023 Summer Solstice Pow Wow and is excited to return – this time with two of her students- Kiesha (14) and Sarianna (15), barrel racers from Timiskaming First Nation. Kiesha also proudly carries the Every Child Matters Flag on horseback at events. Both have found healing and passion through horses.
Mādahòkì Farm
As part of these special presentations we will introduce some of our herd of rare and
endangered Ojbiwe Spirit Horses from Madahoki Farm. You can visit this herd year round just
down the road www.madahoki.ca . Many of our dedicated team from Madahoki Farm will be
onsite to introduce the ponies including our young Ojibwe rider, Melia Simard and other
Indigenous members of our team Mariah Schneidmiller, Salta Zewski and Lynn Surette. Some
of our special ponies that are joining us for the demonstrations include:
- Giizhik (Cedar)
- Makwa (Black Bear).
- Stanji. (Stanjii later Mitaanjigamiing First Nation) .
- Anamikaage (She greets the people)
- Ringo (Appaloosa horse)
Life-size Horse Sculpture Painting | Saturday: 10 AM - 7 PM & Sunday: 10 AM- 5 PM
Watch artist Rhonda Snow bring a lifesize horse sculpture to life with her bright, bold Woodland-style art, inspired by the Ojibwe Spirit Horses. Rhonda’s work beautifully weaves storytelling and visual art, honoring the history and sacred connection between the Ojibwe people and these rare horses. Visitors can also join her at a hands-on colouring station featuring her artwork and learn about the stories behind the Spirit Horses—an engaging and creative experience for all ages.
