“From The Land” Theme Highlights this Year’s Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival & Competition Pow Wow

Ottawa, Ontario, June 12, 2018: The Assembly of First Nations* is proud to host the 2018 edition of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) & Competition Pow Wow at Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa from June 21 to June 24. For over 20 years, SSIF has helped Canadians recognize the enormous contributions that Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples make to Canada.   This year, the theme “From the Land” highlights a new indigenous culinary experience added to the Festival’s programming. Indigenous chefs David Wolfman, Cezin Nottaway and Trudy Metcalfe will offer exquisite indigenous fusion dishes crafted from local ingredients. The Long Table Lunch (12 noon, $25) and Dinner (6 pm, $55), both on June 22, are complimented with performances by Silla + Rise, Cris Derksen and David Finkle & Laura Leonard.   A returning Festival favourite is Education Day on Thursday, June 21. Five thousand school children will have the opportunity to experience a natural history lesson via crafts, foods, games, and dancing at Vincent Massey Park. That evening, a screening of the multi-award winning film, “Indian Horse,” will show Canada’s national game in a whole new light. Unforgettable!   The heart of the Festival is the International Competition Pow Wow on June 23 and 24. This competition attracts the best singers and dancers from across North America to compete for $75,000 in prizes. The Grand Entry associated with the competition Pow Wow is an audience favourite. All dancers enter the circle together at 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm on Saturday, and on Sunday at 12:00 noon.   APTN presents Indigenous Day Live from Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa on Saturday evening, June 23. Vincent Massey Park will first showcase emerging artists Cody Coyote, Mimi O’Bonsawin, and Nigel Irwin followed by headliners Lido Pimienta, Tom Wilson, Brooke Simpson and others filling the concert’s illustrious indigenous roster.   The popular Family Fun Zone combined with free admission makes the 4-day Festival an appealing destination for families. They can try out the following fun activities: Bungee trampolines, bouncy-inflatables, a rock climbing wall, interactive arts, crafts and culinary pavilions, and see live Birds of Prey. The Indigenous artisan and food marketplace completes a perfect weekend outing. Pow Wow Pitch, like an Indigenous Dragon’s Den, gives Indigenous entrepreneurs a chance to score funding for their business ideas.  It starts Sunday, June 24 at 8:30 am, and the highlight is at 2:30 pm when the top ten finalists get three minutes to pitch their ideas.  And a new feature this year is REDx Talks, hosted by Cowboy Smithx, on Friday June 22 at 7:30 pm. This REDx Talk will explore Indigenous cuisine via dynamic Indigenous speakers.   More information at https://www.ottawasummersolstice.ca*The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is the national representative organization of the First Nations in Canada. There are over 630 First Nation communities in Canada whose interests are represented by the AFN. They are determined to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of the First Nations communities large and small. AFN promotes social progress and better standards of life among the First Nations people. By virtue of their rich heritage, historical experience and contemporary circumstances, First Nations possess common interests and aspirations to exercise their political will in common and to develop a collective struggle or cause based upon their values of trust, confidence and toleration.   www.afn.ca