How to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day in Waterloo region, Guelph
Sunrise ceremonies being held to begin the day on Saturday
Saturday is National Indigenous Peoples Day and there are a number of local events planned throughout the weekend.
Uptown Waterloo mural by artist Maddie Resmer
Anytime
A sidewalk mural created by artist Maddie Resmer of Western Sky Designs is currently located in Waterloo Town Square.
In a city press release, Resmer described the mural as: A circle of lifeforms moves together, each shape holding space for the next. This year's mural honours the Anishinàbe worldview of interconnectedness, illustrating how all beings — animals, plants, sky, water and land — are woven together into the delicate fabric of life.
"In a time of growing division and unchecked individualism, our collective well-being depends on embracing these decolonized visions — futures rooted in balance, reciprocity, and care for all our relations," Resmer said of their work.
WATCH | Artist Maddie Resmer talks about her mural:
K-W Multicultural Festival Indigenous performances and experiences
Saturday
The day will begin with a sunrise gathering at Willow River Centre, located at 243 King St. E., in Kitchener.
Then as the festival gets underway at noon, there will be a number of performances and experiences. There will be a sacred fire by Crow Shield Lodge on the island in Victoria Park.
There will be a medicine pouch workshop, a beading workshop and a hands-on experience to learn how to make bead and bone lanyards. Those will be at the library booth at the festival.
There will also be performances by the Indigenous Creatives United, Indigenous Poets Society and Ogitchidaa Kweog, featuring traditional drumming with Elder Marylou Smoke of Smoke Signals Radio.
National Celebration of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples
Friday starting at 5:30 p.m.
Riverside Park at the concert shell
There will be music, dancing, drumming, food and artists at this event near the concert shell in Guelph's Riverside Park.
There will be performances by Oneida Wolf Clan, Six Nations singer/songwriter Lacey Hill, First Nations drummers and dancers, Inuit drummers and Métis jigging.
There will also be food for purchase from Sista's MexiKanata and PowWow Café.
At First Light
Saturday 5:59 a.m. to 8 a.m.
TheMuseum, downtown Kitchener
The day will begin with this sunrise ceremony led by Haudenosaunee community member Kelly Fran Davis, who will lead a tobacco offering, and local fire keeper Mike Duke.
After the ceremony, people can go inside TheMuseum for Haudenosaunee singing and dancing.
National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk St., Brantford
There is a full day of events including musical performances, storytelling, a vendor and food market, an Indigenous art exhibit, gallery tours, curator talks and a lacrosse demonstration.
An art show preview and opening reception will take place Friday evening.
Admission is free to both events, but donations will be accepted.
Six Nations Solidarity Day
Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Six Nations of the Grand River
There will be music, a midway and food at this event in Six Nations.
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Saturday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Kitchener Public Library, Grand River Stanley Park branch
Kelly Welch will lead this drumming and sharing circle and talk about the importance of Indigenous medicines and truth and reconciliation. People are welcome to bring their own shakers or rattlers.
The event is geared for adults, but children are welcome to attend with a parent or caregiver.
Ode'imin Giizis: Healing Through Unity Traditional Powwow
Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener
The day will begin with a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. led by elder Myeengun Henry.
Then starting at 10 a.m., there will be a day of dancing, drumming, and celebration. A sacred fire will be part of the day along with a performance by Spirit Nation Singers. People are welcome to bring hand drums and lawn chairs.
CBC programs
On CBC Gem, stream Resonate: Songs of Resilience, which celebrates communities and families through music, while sharing personal stories and experiences.
On Saturday evening starting at 7 p.m. on CBC TV and CBC Gem, the 2025 Indspire Awards will be broadcast. The awards recognize outstanding achievements from Indigenous peoples across the country in a variety of fields, including: the arts, business and commerce, culture, heritage and spirituality; education; health; law and justice; public service; sports; and lifetime achievement.
At 8 p.m., watch Searching for Winnetou will follow Ojibway author and humourist Drew Hayden Taylor as he travels to Germany to investigate the fine line between appreciation and appropriation of Indigenous traditions.
At 9 p.m., Beans will air. Directed and co-written by Tracey Deer, Beans takes place at the height of the 1990 Mohawk Resistance at Kanehsatà:ke (also known as the Oka Crisis), a 78-day standoff between Indigenous land defenders, Quebec police, the RCMP, and the Canadian military, over the proposed expansion of a golf course on to a Mohawk burial ground.