The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival acknowledges the location of its Festival on the traditional,
unceded territories of the Algonquin nation.
6 Days, 3 Venues
Celebrating National Aboriginal Day, Year 21
June 20-25, 2017
For Immediate Release
Ottawa, Ontario, June 14, 2017: The 21st of June marks a significant time when indigenous people
across Canada traditionally gather and celebrate Summer Solstice, now officially declared National
Aboriginal Day (NAD). For the past 21 years, NAD events in the National Capital Region have created an
opportunity for all residents to celebrate the culture and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit
peoples. Most importantly, everyone is invited to come out and share the experience to learn and
appreciate more about these rich and diverse cultures as a step towards reconciliation. The Summer
Solstice Indigenous Festival is a family-oriented multi-disciplinary arts festival that attracts over 40,000
visitors a year.
The Festival is coordinated under the direction of the National Aboriginal Day Committee comprises
representatives from the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP), Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), The
Assembly of First Nations (AFN), The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and the 2017
presenting host organization, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) which represents
188 Friendship Centres across Canada.
For 2017, the Festival has expanded from a 3- day weekend event at Vincent Massey Park to a 6- day
programme at three venues. Opening the Festival on June 20th is the highly anticipated Making Treaty
7, part of Canada Scene at the NAC with the “pay-as-you-decide” proceeds from the performance being
donated to the Odawa Friendship Centre* one of the NAFC Centres.
On June 21st National Aboriginal Day, Major’s Hill Park is the setting for APTN’s AB Day Live Concert.
Thousands of elementary students will participate in Education Day alongside community celebrations
and daytime programming, welcoming the public to join the celebration as well. The Community Stage
features local acts including Juno-nominated Metis performer Amanda Rheaume in the early evening
before the Main Stage concert, one of eight taking place and broadcast live across the country, takes
over at 7:00 p.m.
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SUMMER SOLSTICE INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL 2/2
Vincent Massey Park plays host to Youth and Elders Gathering on Thursday and Friday June 22& 23rd and
then the acclaimed international Competition Pow Wow returns on the weekend with Host Drum Black
Bear and hundreds of drummers and dancers from across North America. There’s non-stop cultural
performances throughout the day on the mainstage. Juno Award-winners Digging Roots co-headline on
Saturday evening with Holly McNarland, who reunites with her original band to celebrate the 20-year
anniversary of her own Juno Award.
Festival goers will also have the opportunity to mark Canada’s 150th year by visiting the Reconciliation –
Pavilion at Vincent Massey Park. The Pavilion is dedicated to showing the rich, diverse indigenous
cultures of this land with an honest look at past shared history as well as revealing the future vision of
“Reconciliation through Social Innovation”. In the Odawa 150 Years of Shared History Pavilion, visitors
will learn more about the traditional unceded Algonquin territory that is now known as Ottawa.
Algonquin cultural and historical displays, Manawiin (Together) Algonquin paddle exhibit and painting
workshops and more will share the local Indigenous history and living cultures.
Finally, as in previous years, Summer Solstice brings families together and serves up FREE family fun and
programming including the ever-popular Bungee Trampoline and 400 foot zipline plus inflatable
amusements, Birds of Prey stage show, face painting, crafts, and other family entertainment. There’s
also an Indigenous marketplace featuring incredible art, food and fashions
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SUMMER SOLSTICE Indigenous Festival
June 20 – 25, 2017
6 DAYS - 3 VENUES
National Arts Centre Tuesday June 20
Major's Hill Park Wednesday June 21
Vincent Massey Park, Thursday- Sunday June 22-25
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Pay what you decide for Making Treaty 7 part of Canada Scene at the National Arts Centre on
June 20th. (Proceeds going to Odawa Friendship Centre*)
Catch APTN’s AB Day Live Concert at Major’s Hill Park on June 21st (schedule and performers
at: http://aboriginaldaylive.ca/ottawa/
Join us at Vincent Massey Park on the weekend (June 23-25) for
 International Competition Pow Wow with Host Drum Black Bear
 Cultural workshops and interactive arts and crafts including the ODAWA 150
Years of Shared History Pavilion (Algonquin Culture Living History Displays), and
the Reconciliation Pavilion
 Indigenous marketplace featuring incredible art, food and fashions
 Free Family Fun with Bungee Trampoline and a 400’ Zipline plus inflatables and
a birds of prey show
(MORE)
SUMMER SOLSTICE INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL 3/3
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Non-stop cultural programming and family-friendly main stage performances
including Aboriginal Canada We’ve Got talent, PowWow Pitch and young
audience theatre performances
Youth and Elders Gathering June 22-23 and Elders Teachings all weekend in the
Reconciliation Pavilion
Saturday evening spectacle of music, dance and headline performance by Juno
Award-winners Holly McNarland and Digging Roots plus a grand finale pyrotech
show featuring Anishnabe DJ Boogey the Beast and Glow in the Dark Hoop
Dancing
* For the past 33 years, Odawa Native Friendship Centre has served the Aboriginal community in the
Ottawa-Carleton Region of Eastern Ontario and surrounding communities. Its mission is to enhance the
quality of life for Aboriginal people in the Capital region; to maintain a tradition of community, an ethic
of self-help and development as well as to provide traditional teachings from its elders. These are
important values the organization will continue to reinforce and promote in the coming years.
Media Contact:
Kita Szpak Knock on Wood Communications + Events
[email protected] | 613-725-3063