Presented by Fort York and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, National Indigenous Peoples Day followed by the Indigenous Arts Festival will celebrate traditional and contemporary Indigenous culture.
Enjoy traditional and contemporary music, educational programming, storytelling, dance, theatre and food under open skies on the grounds of the National Historic Site in downtown Toronto.
This year, in partnership with APTN, Fort York hosts the Indigenous Day Live concert and broadcast, as well as the Na-Me-Res Annual Traditional Pow Wow on Saturday, June 23. Additional mainstage performances in partnership with the Red Ride Tour will take place on Sunday, June 24. On June 21 and 22, Indigenous Education Days will feature traditional drumming, dancing, and storytelling offered free to school children of all ages.
The festival is produced by the City of Toronto in partnership with the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and The Friends of Fort York. The event is presented by TD with financial support from the Government of Canada, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF), Tim Hortons and OLG. Leslie McCue, Mississauga, Ojibway from the Curve Lake First Nation, is the Artistic Curator for the 2018 Indigenous Arts Festival.
Featured Dance Performances (All Free)
Thursday June 21
11:15 a.m | Hoop Dance Performance + Workshop with Rhonda Doxtator
South Parade Grounds
Join Oneida nation Pow-wow dancer Rhonda Doxtator as she teaches the hoop dance on the grounds of Fort York. Come to understand the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures, gain an appreciation for the relationship between culture and dance, and explore the use of drama and dance techniques to share a story.
Please note: participation in this workshop is limited but all are welcome to watch.
12:30 p.m. | Goombine
South Parade Grounds
Goombine is a descendant of the Wadi Wadi people of the Yuin nation. He has international experience in showcasing the oldest continuing culture in the world, performing at the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup, the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 Planet IndigenUs Festival in Toronto and more.
Also a choreographer and dance teacher, Goombine is a keeper of traditional knowledge and actively involved in the preservation of Aboriginal culture through song and dance.
1:00 p.m. | Red Spirit Singers + Rhonda Doxtator
Blue Barracks Hall
Join drum group the Red Spirit Singers and Hoop Dancer Rhonda Doxtator as they electrify the grounds of Fort York with traditional song and dance.
1:15 p.m. | Music and Dance with the Métis Jiggers
South Parade Grounds
Métis culture is brought to the forefront by Toronto’s most recognized Métis dance collective. The Toronto Métis Jiggers combine patience, rhythm and stamina with live fiddle music to create a powerful cultural celebration.
Friday June 22
10:00 a.m. | Wild Cubz
South Parade Grounds
Wild Cubz are a drum group of Indigenous youth from across Turtle Island who perform song and dance at events, gatherings, and on the Pow Wow trail.
12:30 p.m. | Music and Dance with the Métis Jiggers
South Parade Grounds
Métis culture is brought to the forefront by Toronto’s most recognized Métis dance collective. The Toronto Métis Jiggers combine patience, rhythm and stamina with live fiddle music to create a powerful cultural celebration.
1:15 p.m. | Métis Nation of Ontario Summer Youth Cultural Program
Blue Barracks Hall
Designed to strengthen and share Métis culture and history, Métis Nation of Ontario’s (MNO) Summer Youth Cultural Program (SYCP) is a community based initiative comprised of post-secondary students who deliver Métis culture and history programs to community groups throughout the summer.
1:30 p.m. | Indigenous Social Dancing with Leslie McCue and Lindy Kinoshameg
South Parade Grounds
Join Leslie McCue (Mississauga, Ojibway from Curve Lake First Nation) and Lindy Kinoshameg (Odawa from Wiikwemkoong Unceeded First Nation, Manitoulin Island) for an Indigenous Social Dance workshop in which they will highlight their personal dance styles: Traditional and Prairie Chicken and then invite the audience to participate in the round dance, two-step and potato dance. All welcome!
2:45 p.m. | Goombine
South Parade Grounds
Goombine is a descendant of the Wadi Wadi people of the Yuin nation. He has international experience in showcasing the oldest continuing culture in the world, performing at the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup, the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 Planet IndigenUs Festival in Toronto and more.
Also a choreographer and dance teacher, Goombine is a keeper of traditional knowledge and actively involved in the preservation of Aboriginal culture through song and dance.
Sunday June 24
4 p.m. | Red Ride Tour Presents Mob Bounce
TD Main Stage
Mob Bounce is a Hip Hop duo, formed in the later half of 2010 with the release of “Mixed Blood Mixtape.” Before the Mixtape release, Travis Adrian Hebert and Craig Frank Edes had been writing & recording music since 2004. Craig is Gitxsan and Travis is Cree/Metis. Blending their musicianship with elements of Electronic Dance Music and Hip Hop production, they incorporate aspects of a Cultural identity with an Artistic identity by experimenting with free toning, and a Cultural sound-scape influenced by sounds of Nature.
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