Reconciliation Through Art

Reconciliation Through Art returns to Almonte for four days around the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Programming includes Métis dance, a Kitchen Party, an Indigenous art showcase, workshops, a Water Walk, teachings, and a film screening. Most events are free. The Kitchen Party is ticketed at $40 plus fees. Some free programs still need registration.

The festival raises funds for the Kooshkopayiw (Awakening) Métis Artist Collective and supports Indigenous artists. Tickets and registration are on TicketsPlease. Full details are on the official site.

Almonte is about 50 km southwest of Ottawa, roughly a 45-minute drive.

Sunday, September 27 — Learn Métis Dance

2:30 pm–4:30 pm at Almonte Old Town Hall, 14 Bridge Street.

Riley McKenzie of Ottawa’s Prairie Fire leads a free lesson in traditional Métis dancing. The official listing is for ages 10 and up. Water and breaks are provided. Donations are welcome. Register on TicketsPlease.

Friday, October 2 — Traditional Métis Kitchen Party

Doors 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm–midnight at North Lanark Agricultural Hall, 195 Water Street (Almonte Fairgrounds).

Dinner is boulettes y bang (meatball stew and bannock), then the room clears for fiddle music and dancing. The lineup includes Juno-nominated Amanda Rheaume with the Mâmawin’towin Band, fiddlers Jason Lepine and Lionel Desjarlais, and traditional Métis dancers from Edmonton. The Frybread Queen serves Bear Paws through the evening. There is a cash bar. Space is limited. Tickets are $40 plus fees.

Saturday, October 3 — Art Showcase and Workshops

At the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, 3 Rosamond Street East.

• Indigenous Art Showcase, 10:00 am–5:00 pm, Gallery. Local and Indigenous artists from across Ontario show and sell work. Raffle draw at 4:00 pm. Frybread Queen food is behind the museum all day. Drop in.
• Beading workshop with Métis Knowledge Keeper Patsea Griffin, 10:00 am–1:00 pm, Millworker’s Learning Centre. Donations appreciated. Register.
• Porcupine quill earrings workshop with Patsea Griffin, 2:00 pm–5:00 pm, Millworker’s Learning Centre. Donations appreciated. Register.

Sunday, October 4 — Water Walk, Teachings, Film

• Water Walk, 8:00 am, starting at Almonte Old Town Hall and ending at Metcalfe Geoheritage Park, with an offering to the water.
• Teachings and presentations, 10:00 am–3:00 pm, Textile Museum Gallery. Register for one session or all five. Strawberry tea and toasted frybread are offered. Donations appreciated.
• Film screening and talkback: The Apology, 3:00 pm–4:30 pm, Textile Museum Gallery. Documentary by Métis filmmaker Matt LeMay of Indigenous Geographic, about the 2022 Indigenous delegation to the Vatican. Donations appreciated. Register.

Details