5TH EDITION OF MICRO OUVERT AUTOCHTONE: Kim O’Bomsawin and Place des Arts invite you to a festive weekend bringing people together to share the wealth of indigenous cultures!

Montreal, October 7, 2025 – Place des Arts and curator Kim O’Bomsawin are looking forward to seeing you at the fifth edition of Micro ouvert autochtone (Indigenous Open Mic), this coming November 1 and 2!

To mark this fifth anniversary, Kim O’Bomsawin – Abenaki sociologist, producer, filmmaker and documentarian – is presenting a rich and vibrant free program around the theme “Languages and Territories.” Bringing together the 11 First Peoples located in Quebec, the event will highlight the diversity and vitality of Indigenous cultures. 

Photo credit: Thibault Carron

On the bill: opening ceremony with Richard Moar, music performances by Terry Uyarak, Maten, Ivan Boivin-Flamand and Willows, screenings of short and full-length films with their directors, the Salon des artisans, indigenous cuisine (sagamité, bannock bread, game), workshops for children, digital works, and a poetry reading by Marie-Andrée Gill. For the first time this year, a focus on youth is being presented, the morning of Sunday, November 2.

 “It’s already five years that Place des Arts has been resonating with our voices, our rhythms and our stories. For this anniversary edition I’ve chosen the theme Languages and Territories. Because the 11 languages of the First Peoples of Quebec are well and truly alive, rooted in their different territories, passed down by our elders and carried towards the future by our youth. To hear them resound on stage is to experience the full power and the beauty of our cultures. Over two days we’ll be offering nothing less than a grand celebration: music, film, literature, visual arts, crafts, good food, get-togethers and laughter. The entire family is welcome, since the program will be as much a delight for kids as for grownups. Micro ouvert autochtone is our way of gathering together, of celebrating and of sharing. It’s a big party, but also a moment of transmission and pride. Come enjoy this experience with us, and head back home filled with rhythms and flavors, and your head full of new words!" – Kim O’Bomsawin, curator of Micro ouvert autochtone 2025

Kim O'Bomsawin. Photo credit: Christinne Mushi

PROGRAM

Opening and closing ceremonies by Richard Moar (elder), in the presence of Kim O’Bomsawin
November 1 at noon and 5:30 p.m. | November 2 at 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

Be part of a unique moment. Ceremony hosted by Richard Moar, Atikamekw elder, spiritual guide, First Nations Expedition, stage actor, singer with drum and instigator of the Motetan Mamo walk.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

Terry Uyarak

November 1 at 1: 30 p.m. | November 2 at noon | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

Renowned Inuk singer-songwriter Terry Uyarak is a native of Igloolik, Nunavut. On the strength of his first disk, Nunarjua Isulinginniani, he was a finalist in the Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year category at the 2021 Juno Awards. A rare opportunity to see Terry Uyarak in Montreal.

Ivan Boivin-Flamand

November 1 at 3:00 p.m. | November 2 at 1:15 p.m. | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

Ivan Boivin-Flamand is a singer-songwriter and a virtuoso on electric guitar. Hailing from Manawan, Quebec, he sings with sensitivity in both Atikamekw and English. His unique, soaring voice combined with his musicality makes him a sought-after musician and a model for indigenous young people.

Maten

November 1 at 4:30 p.m. | November 2 at 2:30 p.m. | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

Anchored between the banks of the St. Lawrence and the boreal forest of Mani-Utenam, on the Côte-Nord, Maten is a festive folk-rock band deeply rooted in Innu culture. Catchy melodies and socially engaged lyrics driven by pride in their identity: Maten are spokespeople for their language and community.

Willows. Photo credit: Lucille Parry-Canet

Willows 
November 2 at 10:45 a.m. | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

An intimate, evocative music show courtesy of Métis vocalist Willows. A singer-songwriter of Franco-Manitoban descent and a Quebecer by adoption, Willows explores the themes of identity and belonging through the women in her family and nature.

Soleil Launière (ticketed show in the Cinquième Salle)
November 1 at 7:30 p.m. | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

With her intriguing, daring soul-roots, Soleil Launière will sweep you away in a profound and gripping experience, driven by Innu strength, with the seasoned musicians of CHANCES.

FILM SCREENINGS

Kanehsatake: 270 ans de résistance, by Alanis O’Bomsawin, followed by an interview with a surprise guest hosted by Marie-Andrée Gill

November 1 at noon | Salle Claude-Léveillée

Experience the essential, powerful documentary Kanehsatake: 270 ans de résistance in its French version. Seen and celebrated around the world, it is considered a “watershed film in the history of First Peoples cinema.”

Beans, followed by an interview with director Tracey Deer, hosted by Kim O’Bomsawin
November 1 at 3:00 p.m. | Salle Claude-Léveillée

Beans is the moving story of a young girl torn between the innocence of childhood and the need to transform herself into a brave Mohawk warrior as an adolescent during the Oka crisis. Original English version with French subtitles.

Je m’appelle humain followed by an interview with Joséphine Bacon and director Kim O’Bomsawin 
November 2 at 1:15 p.m. | Salle Claude-Léveillée

Come and enjoy the screening of the documentary Je m’appelle humain (Call Me Human), a sensitive portrait of the Innu poet Joséphine Bacon, followed by a joint interview with her and the curator and director Kim O’Bomsawin.

Viewing of short films from Wapikoni Mobile
Continuously | Cinquième Salle entrance

A loop of short films from Wapikoni Mobile on the theme of languages and territory!

POETRY READING

Joséphine Bacon. Photo credit: Thibault Carron

Interview with and poetry reading by Marie-André Gill, hosted by Kim O’Bomsawin
November 1 at 12:30 p.m. | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Duration: 45 minutes

Poet, author, columnist, screenwriter and member of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh community, Marie-Andrée Gill presents her new collection, Uashtenamu | Allumer quelque chose.

YOUNG PEOPLE ACTIVITIES

Viewing of Jules au pays d’Asha, by Sophie Farkas Bolla, followed by an interview with the director
November 2 at 10:00 a.m. | Salle Claude-Léveillée

Bring the family to see the wonderful, touching young-audience film Jules au pays d’Asha (Adventures in the Land of Asha). At the entrance to the venue, pick up a goody bag for your young ones, offered by Maison4tiers (as long as supplies last). A discussion with Montreal filmmaker Sophie Farkas Bolla will follow the screening.

Interview with the author Valérie Richer O’Bomsawin on the subject of the book Nichemis, petit frère, hosted by Marie-Andrée Gill 
November 2 at 12:30 p.m. | Salle Claude-Léveillée 

Enjoy an interview about the children’s book Nichemis, petit frère, in which a big sister tells her little brother the story of his people. A tender, wonderful and educational book about Abenaki culture by author Valérie Richer O’Bomsawin.

Medicine pouch making 
Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

Making medicine pouches with teaching about sacred herbs and their use by Kim Arseneault, an Abenaki woman from Wôlinak passionate about the history of her nation.

Reading corner

Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme

Enjoy books by indigenous writers of children’s books.

CONTINUOUS ACTIVITIES

Photo credit: Thibault Carron

Salon des artisans
November 1 from noon to 6:00 p.m. | November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Salon urbain

Discover craftsmen and women from the First Peoples and numerous indigenous organizations, including Éditions Hannenorak and Musique Nomade. A unique opportunity to find original, local, high-quality gifts: jewelry, clothing, illustrations and books.

Forest of the 11 indigenous languages in Québec
November 1 from noon to 6:00 p.m. | November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Espace OSM

Make the discovery of the 11 indigenous languages in Quebec. Listen to a brief audio recording of each of them using headphones fixed to the branches of our magnificent forest. In collaboration with KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples.

Digital map of nations 
November 1 from noon to 6:00 p.m. | November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Espace OSM

Locate Quebec First Nations and Inuit communities on our digital tablet. Map image produced by Indigenous Tourism Quebec. In collaboration with KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples.

Digital work by Mélanie O’Bomsawin
November 1 from noon to 6:00 p.m. | November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Mosaic of screens

Mother, designer, new-media artist and member of the Abenaki community of Odanak, Mélanie O’Bomsawin explores questions of identity, memory, and knowledge transmission.

FLAVOR DISCOVERIES

Moccasin Joe Café

Salon urbain (paid)

Enjoy delicious coffee from Moccasin Joe, coffee roaster from father to daughter located on the Mohawk territory of Kanesatake, a stone’s throw from the village of Oka.

Sagamité Watso, caterer

Salon urbain (paid)

Led by chef Jacques Watso, Sagamité Watso showcases traditional Abenaki cuisine. On the menu:

• Traditional sagamité (three sisters soup)

• Bannock bread

• Game meatballs / local meats

• Nordic berry dessert

MICRO OUVERT AUTOCHTONE

November 1 from noon to 6:00 p.m. | November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
FREE*

Place des Arts | Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme | Salon Urbain 

Cinquième Salle | Salle Claude-Léveillée | Espace OSM
175 Sainte-Catherine St. West

*Except for the Soleil Launière show TAUEU, purchases at the Salon des artisans and food tastings.

Source:
Géraldine Zaccardelli
Communications & Public and Media Relations Manager Place des Arts, gzaccardelli@placedesarts.com

Media relations:
ROY & TURNER | Natalie Dion, ndion@roy-turner.com and Amélie Paquette, apaquette@roy-turner.com