Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

06/11/2026

Snapshots of last year's festival 📸

Join us on June 20 & 21 at Wesley Clover Parks for a weekend filled with pow wow, cultural showcases and energetic performances ✨🌞

🎟️ FREE admission
🕤 Gates open at 9:30am

06/09/2026

Marking 150 years since the Indian Act, these new immersive pavilions at invite visitors to learn, reflect, and take their place on the path to reconciliation.

Explore three interactive spaces that examine Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, the lasting impacts of the Indian Act, and pathways toward reconciliation through ReconciliACTION. Through stories, visuals, and hands-on experiences, visitors are encouraged to deepen their understanding of this legislation and its ongoing effects on Indigenous communities.

Join us to engage with Indigenous perspectives, honour resilience, and be part of meaningful conversations about truth, understanding, and reconciliation.

🗓️ June 20 & 21, 2026
📍 Wesley Clover Parks, Ottawa

Learn more: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/150-years-of-the-indian-act-pavilion/

06/09/2026

A crowd favourite! The Glow in the Dark pow wow dance party is back at on June 20 ✨ Celebrate culture and community in an electrifying and vibrant atmosphere with Ojibwe and Blackfoot DJ Classic Roots. Open to EVERYONE! No regalia required.

Then, look to the sky for the ReconciliACTION Drone Show, presented by CAA, a breathtaking display that shares stories of Indigenous resilience through hundreds of illuminated drones 🌌

🗓️ June 20, 2026
📍 Wesley Clover Parks, Ottawa

Learn more: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2026-drone-show/

06/08/2026

We're thrilled to introduce Smoke Dance to the Competition Pow Wow, presented by RBC!

Originating from Haudenosaunee communities, Smoke Dance is known for its fast footwork, intricate movements, and vibrant energy. Don't miss the opportunity to compete with this dynamic dance for the first time at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival.

Register now: https://tinyurl.com/ssif2026powwow

🗓️ June 20 & 21, 2026
📍 Wesley Clover Parks, Ottawa

For more details, visit: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2026-competition-pow-wow/

Ottawa Tourism National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) helps Canadians of all walks of life to recognize the enormous contributions that Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples have made to Canada.

06/07/2026

Meet Canada's only Indigenous horse breed at 🐴🧡

Presented by Scotiabank, the Ojibwe Spirit Horse Encounters offer a unique opportunity to meet members of this rare and endangered herd and learn about their remarkable journey from near extinction to revitalization.

Discover the deep connection between the Ojibwe Spirit Horse and Indigenous communities through cultural teachings and storytelling. Then, try your hand at roping with Knowledge Keeper Rhonda Snow and learn how these traditional skills helped save the breed.

Learn more: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2026-ojibwe-spirit-horse-encounters/

🗓️ June 20 & 21, 2026
📍 Wesley Clover Parks, Ottawa

06/07/2026

Discover Indigenous artistry at the NAC tomorrow (June 7)!

The Summer Indigenous Art Market brings together an incredible collection of Métis, Inuit, and First Nations artists and makers.

Browse unique jewelry, beadwork, paintings, sculptures, moccasins, mittens, coffee, crafts, and more while supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and creators. Open 11am to 5pm!

06/06/2026

festival weekend is 2 weeks away! 🌞

Join us at Wesley Clover Parks on June 20 & 21 for:
🔸 International Competition Pow Wow with NEW Smoke Dance category
🔸 150 Years of the Indian Act Pavilions
🔸 Glow-in-the-Dark Pow Wow Dance Party with Classic Roots
🔸 ReconciliACTION-themed Drone Show
🔸 Minopogwad (Good Taste) culinary event
🔸 Live performances on the Celebration Stage
🔸 Cultural workshops and demonstrations
🔸 Indigenous Marketplace featuring 75+ vendors
🔸 Ojibwe Spirit Horse encounters
🔸 Family-friendly programming all weekend long

🎟️ FREE admission
🕤 Gates open 9:30am
🌐 summersolsticefestivals.ca

🎵 Music courtesy of Classic Roots
🔥 Smoke Dance footage courtesy of Halona Media

National Association of Friendship Centres Assembly of First Nations/Assemblee des premieres Nations Métis National Council CAP CAP ISET Native Women's Association of Canada GCIndigenous Scotiabank OLG TD Indigenous Tourism Ontario RBC

06/06/2026

Family Fun, presented by Donna C**a, brings a weekend packed with FREE activities for all ages at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival! 🎉

🐂 Test your skills on JED the Mechanical Bull
🏰 Bounce and slide through giant inflatables
🐴 Enjoy pony rides and visit the petting zoo
🥍 Learn the Indigenous roots of lacrosse with Creators Game
💥 Try traditional Inuit Games with cultural educator Aalla (Stranger)
🎨 Get creative with face painting, colouring activities, and community art projects

There’s something for every age to enjoy at !

Learn more: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2026-family-fun/

🎟️ FREE admission
🗓️ June 20 & 21, 2026
📍 Wesley Clover Parks, Ottawa

06/03/2026

Experience flavour, story, and culture at 's Minopogwad (Good Taste), presented by TD.

Enjoy a culinary journey featuring 5 elevated Indigenous-inspired bites, paired with traditional tea, and guided by the creativity and knowledge of celebrated Indigenous chefs.

This exclusive experience also includes Meet the Chef moments, along with engaging chef talks and live cooking demos, offering a deeper connection to the ingredients, techniques, and stories behind every dish.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets now: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2026-culinary-experience/ (Scroll down for the tickets!)
Only 40 tickets per session!

🗓️ June 20 & 21, 2026
📍 Wesley Clover Parks, Ottawa