This year the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)* assumes the host duties for the 2019th edition of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) & Competition Pow Wow at Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa from June 20 to June 23. For over 20 years, the SSIF has helped Canadians recognize the enormous contributions that Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples make to their country.
The International Year of Indigenous Languages is a United Nations observance in 2019 that aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world, with an aim to establish a link between language, development, peace, and reconciliation. SSIF has adapted this theme for its event by incorporating Indigenous names for a number of initiatives including Indigenous Day on June 21 being named "Maamawi" –Come together.
In the spirit of “Maamawi” the Festival calls on visitors to take in the experiential focus of this special day that will include “Make & Take” workshops and activities range from hands-on crafting events and stage performances to elders and speakers discussing contemporary Indigenous issues and traditional teachings - notably the “sacredness of water”, – a second key Festival theme; stage performances by Hypert T and Strong Minded Inuit as well as a free screening of The Grizzlies at 9 pm. (Some workshops require pre-registration at nominal cost to cover materials but otherwise Maamawi programming is FREE.)
The ever popular Education Day ushers in the Festival on Thursday, June 20 when 5,000 children from pre-registered schools descend on the park site to take in a noon concert, FN, Inuit and Métis Youth games, a Pow Wow demonstration as well as to actively participate in signing David Suzuki’s The Blue Dot Pledge to make clean water a human right further emphasizing the Festival’s objective to inform and engage the public on environmental and Indigenous issues.
Indigenous foods continue to make significant inroads into the culinary world: this year the Festival introduces the inaugural INDIGICHEF - Indigenous Culinary Competition with chefs from all over Canada participating. Competition includes FEAST on Friday evening with ticketed guests sampling and judging the chefs’ creations. Lead judge is Chef Joseph Shawana of the acclaimed Indigenous Ku Kum Kitchen in Toronto. Edible Ottawa’s Jennifer Campbell will also be judging. Competition continues all weekend with black-box culinary contests on Saturday. Winners will be announced Saturday evening at 6:45 pm from the RBC Celebration Stage. Chef competitors include Chef Elijah Mack Sterling (British Columbia), Trudy Metcalfe – Coe (Labrador), Justine Deschesne (Kitigan Zibi), Marie Claude Labelle (Kitigan Zibi), and Chantelle Bone (Manitoba) to date. Local Indigenous chef Cezin Nottaway will be on site as the host chef and once again, local non-indigenous chefs will be onsite performing sous chef and prep roles. Back by popular demand, all day Saturday and Sunday, chefs in the Culinary Arts Pavilion will have bite-sized portions available for sale (3 bites for $10).
Summer Solstice is thrilled with the artistic lineup this year including vocal sensation, 16-year- old Emma Stevens, who released a stunning cover of The Beatles "Blackbird" in Mi'kmaq on You Tube that instantly went viral and received a huge shout-out from songwriter Paul McCartney.
Throatboxing Pioneer, Nelson Tagoona; Maori guests performing a Haka (WHATATIPU KOTAMI); Eagle and Hawk, Canada’s Roots Rock and Indigenous Fusion Band double bills with The Launch winner Logan Staats on Saturday night which a line-up that includes Lyle Odyjik and the Northern Steam; World Champion Hoop Dancer Dallas Arcand and a pyro show to name some artists who will be performing during the Festival.
The heart of the Festival is the International Competition Pow Wow on June 22 and 23. This competition attracts the best singers and dancers from across Turtle Island (aka 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.
The Family Fun Zone returns with games, Indigenous Storytelling, Zipline, Zorb balls & Criss Cross Racing Track, a petting zoo, dozens of community partner activities cultural pavilions and craft workshops that all provide for a fun-filled visit! Free for the whole family!
More information can be found at https://www.ottawasummersolstice.ca