Saturday June 21, 2025
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to recognize and honour the cultures, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada. First declared in 1996, the date aligns with the summer solstice, a significant time of year for many Indigenous communities, symbolizing renewal, connection to the land, and the sharing of stories, songs, and ceremonies.
The solstice is celebrated by cultures around the world. While not all faiths have specific religious traditions tied to it, many recognize it as a time to appreciate the natural world and the changing seasons.
This will be a day-long event with several different activities and we express appreciation to our partners, Ginawaydaganuc, Lanark Immigration Partnership and Mississippi Mills.
Pancake Breakfast 8:30 to noon (by donation), John Levi Community Centre
Three years ago, Ginawaydaganuc Village began the tradition of celebrating their anniversary, Indigenous Day and the Solstice with a Pancake Breakfast featuring a variety of Indigenous made wild berry syrups, pancakes and fruit. This year, during breakfast, the following activities will run concurrently in the hall:
9:00 a.m. A Ginawaydaganuc presentation followed by Q&A. Elders John Henri Commanda, Chuck Commanda, Larry McDermott and Douglas Cardinal will be on hand to answer questions and break fast with everyone.
10:00 a.m. Storytelling for families by Danka Brewer from Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation.
Paddle the Mississippi River from Appleton to Riverfront Park in Almonte, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ginawaydaganuc’s Indigenous Elders, board and staff will be paddling from Appleton to Riverfront Park, recollecting the Algonquins who travelled down the Mississippi from the interior of Lanark, down to the Ottawa, and on to Montreal. Everyone is welcome to join us but are responsible for bringing their own canoes, kayaks and safety gear. We will be launching at precisely 2 pm so please arrive in advance.
INDIGENOUS DAY FESTIVITIES
Riverfront Park, 320 Spring Street, Almonte, ON K0A 1A0, 3:30 p.m. to Sunset
- BBQ and strawberry sweets (By donation)
- Sacred Fire
Activities will begin with smudging, drumming and singing welcoming songs.
Then at 4:00 p.m., Knowledge Keeper, John Henri Commanda will begin the festivities formally. These will include a series of performances and story telling: Talamh Karen:na: Earth Music Jingle Dancing, Songs for Solstice, Inuit Story Telling and Drumming, Kentucky: Tribute to Indigenous Friends, “Torture Opera” rock music by Mohawk Jamie Rice, son and friends.
At the park you will be able to see a birch bark canoe made by Chuck Commanda, visit a tipi, listen to stories there and view artifacts, make a beaded bracelet, watch Nish Nabie carve a large eagle, purchase Indigenous crafts and visit the Seven Gifts.
