Virtual Programming Starts June 1st Organizers of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival proudly announce a return to live programming at its new home, Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa’s west end with some virtual programming accessible by all Canadians. The multi-disciplinary arts festival brings together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures. Because of the pandemic, this is the first time since 2019 that the festival, now in its 26th year and welcoming Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors alike, has had a live component. The festival, produced by Indigenous Experiences on behalf of the National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) Committee representing all of Canada’s national Indigenous organizations, was previously held at Vincent Massey Park, where it grew to 50,000 visitors. For the past two years, the festival has held virtual programming that reached millions across North America. Mādahòkì Farm (formerly the Lone Star Ranch) is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation at 4420 West Hunt Club Road. Mādahòkì means “to share the land” in the Anishinaabe language and reflects the farm’s agricultural and Indigenous community focus. Now home to a series of Indigenous events celebrating each season, Mādahòkì is a working farm producing traditional agricultural foods and offering social enterprise opportunities, including an Indigenous marketplace selling authentic artisanal products from across Canada and open to the public for in-person shopping and available 24/7 online. The farm is also the permanent home of endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses and a venue for group tours and corporate cultural experiences. The 2022 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is programmed in two parts, the first virtual and the second live. This mixed model offers safety to visitors along with the opportunity for everyone, whether in Ottawa or elsewhere, to enjoy the rich programming. The live segment includes a unique touring component in downtown Ottawa. This year’s festival is co-hosted by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the organization that represents over 65,000 Inuit across Canada. Amidst programming reflecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultures, the spotlight this year will shine brightly on Inuit artists, performers and storytellers. “ITK is proud to co-host the Summer Solstice event in Ottawa for National Indigenous People’s Day,” says ITK President Natan Obed. “It is important for Inuit to celebrate our culture and resilience after two very challenging years. We are looking forward to sharing our traditions and practices with others through this festival of Indigenous arts and experiences.” The Festival is grateful to funders and corporate sponsors including Rio Tinto, TD Bank Group, CN Railway, Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, Know History and BMO Financial Group for their ongoing commitment to support the stewardship of Canada’s rich cultural heritage. Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival virtual program, June 1-21
Education Days (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Virtual Pow Wow
Creative Workshops (with cross-Canada shipping)
Indigenous chef-prepared frozen meals (home-delivered across Canada)
Online Marketplace (with 24/7 shopping and cross-Canada shipping)
Museum of History: June 18 & 19
ByWard Market: June 19 & 21
Programming includes:
Indigenous Day Community Celebration (June 21)
Education Days (for registered schools, June 22, 23 & 24)
Niriqatigiit (coming together to eat) An outdoor long table feast (June 24)
International Competition Pow Wow with over $75,000 in prizes
Family programming, including the Ojibwe Spirit Horses and Inuit games
Traditional knowledge, cultural demonstrations and storytelling
Arts and crafts workshops, including beading and quill art
Cultural performances including hoop dancing and Inuit throat singing
Full-day weekend stage entertainment and movies under the stars
Indigenous Makers and Farmers Market
The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festivals is produced by Indigenous Experiences on behalf of the National Indigenous Peoples Day Committee (NIPD) comprising six (6) organizations representing Indigenous communities across Canada: Assembly of First Nations (AFN); Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP); National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC); this year’s co-host, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK); Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC); and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).
Indigenous Experiences (IE) has more than 25 years of experience producing authentic entertainment and cultural attractions most notably Mādahòkì Farm, a gathering place, working farm and tourism attraction in Ottawa’s Greenbelt, the annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival and an award-winning attraction at the Canadian Museum of History. These authentic experiences showcase the culture, history, food, music, art, fashion, dance and entrepreneurship of Canada’s diverse Indigenous community fostering cultural understanding and creating opportunities for memories.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is a Canadian non-profit organization that represents over 65,000 Inuit across Inuit Nunangat and the rest of Canada. Their mission is to "serve as a national voice protecting and advancing the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada.”
Comentarii