Micro ouvert autochtone | Saturday’s Festivities

Noon | Opening ceremony by Richard Moar (elder) with Kim O’Bomsawin

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Duration: 30 minutes

Join us for a unique experience. The ceremony will be led by Richard Moar, an Atikamekw elder, Expédition Premières Nations (EPN) spiritual guide, theatre actor, singer and drummer, and instigator of the “Motetan Mamo” March; in collaboration with our exceptional curator, Kim O'Bomsawin.

Noon | Screening of the film Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance by Alanis O’Bomsawin, followed by an interview with a surprise guest, moderated by Marie-Andrée Gill

Salle Claude-Léveillée | Duration: 2 hrs 45 min

Watch the powerful, must-see documentary Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (French version). Seen and celebrated around the world, it is considered a “pivotal moment in the history of First Peoples cinema.” 

12:30 p.m. | Interview and Poetry Readings by Marie-André Gill, hosted by Kim O’Bomsawin

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Duration: 45 minutes

Poet, author, columnist, screenwriter, and member of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh community, Marie-Andrée Gill presents and discusses her new collection Uashtenamu | Allumer quelque chose with our renowned curator and documentarian Kim O’Bomsawin. 

1:30 p.m. | Musical Performance by Terry Uyarak

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Duration: 1 hr

Renowned Inuk singer-songwriter Terry Uyarak is a vocalist from Igloolik, Nunavut. His debut album, Nunarjua Isulinginniani, was nominated for Indigenous Music Album of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards. A rare, not-to-be-missed opportunity to see Terry Uyarak in Montreal. 

3 p.m. | Musical Performance by Ivan Boivin Flamand

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Duration: 1 hr

Ivan Boivin-Flamand is a singer-songwriter and electric guitar virtuoso. Originally from Manawan in Quebec, he sings in Atikamekw and English. His sensitive, distinctive, soaring voice and musicality have made him a much sought-after musician and a role model for Indigenous youth. 

3 p.m. | Screening of Beans by Tracey Deer, followed by an interview with the director, hosted by Kim O’Bomsawin. Discussion in English, with French translation

Salle Claude-Léveillée | Duration: 2 hrs 30 min

Beans is the moving story of a young girl during the Oka Crisis, torn between the innocence of childhood and the need to grow into a courageous Mohawk warrior as a teenager. Original English version with French subtitles. Bilingual discussion. 

4:30 p.m. | Musical Performance by Maten

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Duration: 1 hr

Hailing from Mani-utenam, anchored between the banks of the St. Lawrence River and the boreal forest on the North Shore, Maten is a festive folk-rock band deeply rooted in Innu culture. With catchy sounds and passionate lyrics driven by pride in its identity, Maten promotes its language and community. 

5:30 p.m. | Closing Ceremony by Richard Moar (elder), with Kim O’Bomsawin 

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Duration: 30 minutes

Bring the day to a beautiful conclusion at the closing ceremony led by Richard Moar, an Atikamekw elder, Expédition Premières Nations (EPN) spiritual guide, theatre actor, singer and drummer, and instigator of the “Motetan Mamo” March; with Abenaki sociologist, producer, screenwriter, and documentarian Kim O’Bomsawin. 

7:30 p.m. | Performance by Soleil Launière ($)

Cinquième Salle 

With her intriguing and daring soul roots, Soleil Launière delivers a deeply captivating performance experience, driven by Innu strength. She is joined by the seasoned musicians of CHANCES (Chloé Lacasse, Geneviève Toupin, Vincent Carré) and Simon Walls. 

ONGOING 

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme, Espace OSM, Salon urbain 

Craft Fair

Meet artisans and Indigenous organizations such as Éditions Hannenorak, Nikan Héritage, and many others. A unique opportunity to purchase original, local, high-quality gifts including jewelry, clothing, illustrations, and books to kick off your holiday shopping season. 

Forest of Quebec’s 11 Indigenous Languages

Discover the 11 Indigenous languages of Quebec. Listen to a short audio recording of each language through headphones attached to branches in our magnificent forest. A collaboration with KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples.

Digital Map of Nations

Locate First Nations and Inuit communities in Quebec. A collaboration with KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples. Map image produced by Indigenous Tourism Quebec.

Screening of Wapikoni mobile Short Films

Visit our pop-up cinema in one of Place des Arts’ public spaces where you’ll see a loop of short films on the theme of languages and territory from Wapikoni mobile!

Medicine Pouch Making

Kim Arseneault, an Abenaki woman from W8linak, passionate about the history of her nation, teaches the whole family how to make medicine pouches, with details on sacred herbs and how they are used. 

Sagamité Watso Caterer ($)

Headed by Chef Jacques Watso, Sagamité Watso showcases traditional Abenaki cuisine. Winner of the 2022 Rendez-vous de la Francophonie Culinary Award, Sagamité Watso offers tastings, meals, and gastronomic creations inspired by ancestral knowledge. On the menu: 

• Traditional Sagamité (the soup of the 3 Sisters) 

• Bannock bread 

• Game meatballs / local meats 

• Nordic berry dessert 

Moccasin Joe Café ($)

Enjoy delicious coffee from Moccasin Joe, a father-daughter roaster located on the Mohawk territory of Kanehsatake, just a stone’s throw from the village of Oka. Carefully selected beans and artisanal micro-lot roasting make for exceptional quality and flavour. 

Digital Work, Mélanie O'Bomsawin

Mother, designer, new media artist, and member of the Abenaki community of Odanak, Mélanie O’Bomsawin explores questions of identity, memory, and knowledge transfer. Through installations, projections, and documentaries, she creates works for past and future generations. 

Reading Corner

Enjoy children’s books by Indigenous authors! 

Explore Sunday’s program of activities