Join in Celebrating Solstice Together in Mississippi Mills on National Indigenous Peoples Day

From Ginawaydaganuc Village

Mississippi Mills All My Relations, in coordination with Ginawaydaganuc Village, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills and other sponsors, are co-hosting a day of events to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Mississippi Mills on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

See more details below on each of the events!

Pancake Breakfast | 8:30 a.m. to noon 

Location: John Levi Community Centre (upstairs hall), 182 Bridge Street, Almonte

Three years ago, Ginawaydaganuc Village began the tradition of celebrating their anniversary, Indigenous Day and the Solstice with a Pancake Breakfast featuring a variety of Indigenous made wild berry syrups, pancakes and fruit. This year, during breakfast, the following activities will run concurrently in the hall:

• 9 a.m. – A Ginawaydaganuc presentation followed by Q&A. Elders John Henri Commanda, Chuck Commanda, Larry McDermott and Douglas Cardinal will be on hand to answer questions and break fast with everyone.
• 10 a.m. – Storytelling for families by Danka Brewer from Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation

Paddle Down the Mississippi With Our Elders – from Appleton to Riverfront Park in Almonte | 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Ginawaydaganuc Village’s Indigenous Elders, board, staff and friends will be paddling from Appleton Bay Park (510 River Road) to Riverfront Park (320 Spring Street) in Almonte, in tribute to Algonquins who, for millennia, travelled from the interior of what is now known as Lanark, down the Mississippi to the Ottawa River, and on to Montreal.

Everyone is welcome to join us but do so at your own risk. You are responsible for your own watercraft (non-motorized only please), paddles and safety gear. No need to let us know you are coming. Just show up well-prepared and ready to have some fun! Be sure to bring at hat, sunscreen, plenty of water and a protein snack.

This journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. Launch is at precisely 2 p.m. and arrival is expected at 3:30 p.m., so we ask that you please arrive well in advance, so we are ready to go on time.

Note that opening ceremonies at Riverfront Park (320 Spring Street) begin at 4 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. We want to make sure we are on land are ready to participate in the ceremony on time.

Upon arrival at the dock, please offload your canoe/kayak and move out of the way as quickly as possible to make room for the next person. Volunteers will be on hand to help. If we are running late and the ceremony has already begun, we ask that you quietly park your craft on the grass and quicky join the ceremonial area.

Three temporary parking spaces will be reserved on Spring Street (until 6 p.m.) adjacent to the dock for vehicle loading of kayaks and canoes. Please load up ASAP then move your vehicle to another area.

You are responsible for making your own arrangements to get back up river to collect your vehicle.

Indigenous Peoples Day Festivities | 3:30 p.m. – sunset

Location: Riverfront Park, 320 Spring Street, Almonte

Festivities include:

• Barbecue and strawberry sweets (by donation)
• Sacred fire
• Smudging, drumming and singing welcoming songs

Activities will begin at 4 p.m. led by Knowledge Keeper John Henri Commanda and will include a series of performances and story telling: Talamh Karen:na:  Earth Music Jingle Dancing, Songs for Solstice, Inuit storytelling and drumming, Kentucky: Tribute to Indigenous Friends, “Torture Opera” rock music by Mohawk Jamie Rice, son and friends.

At the park you will be able to see a birch bark canoe made by Chuck Commanda, visit a tipi, listen to stories there and view artifacts, make a beaded bracelet, watch Nish Nabie carve a large eagle, purchase Indigenous crafts and visit the Seven Gifts.