RECONCILIATION THROUGH ART
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Reconciliation Through Art
In Honour of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Join us for three days of Indigenous art, music, ceremony, food and teachings!
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An event to coincide with the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An Event to Coincide with the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An Event to Coincide with the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An event to coincide with the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An Event to Coincide with the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Donate to the Kooshkopayiw Métis Artist Collective
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An Event to Coincide with the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Donate to the Kooshkopayiw Métis Artist Collective
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An event to coincide with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An Event to Coincide with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION
THROUGH ART
An Event to Coincide with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
EVENT DETAILS
Event Details
Overview
Reconciliation Through Art is a fundraising event for Kooshkopayiw (Awakening) Métis Artist Collective and initiative to promote and support other Indigenous artists and artisans. The event features an Indigenous Art Exhibition, Storytelling and Performances.
Date
September 30th, 2024
Location
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Almonte, Ontario
Reconciliation Through Art is a multi-day event honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will feature Indigenous art, ceremony, storytelling, teachings, workshops, musical performances, traditional food and dancing!
Dates & Locations:
October 2nd, 2026
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Almonte Agricultural Hall
October 3rd, 2026
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Gallery
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Millworker's Learning Centre
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Millworker's Learning Centre
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Upper Gallery
October 4th, 2026
8:00 AM
Almonte Old Town Hall
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Gallery
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Gallery
Traditional Métis Kitchen Party:
Come for 6:00 PM! Dinner will be hot and hearty and accompanied by live music featuring Juno-nominated Amanda Rheaume. The Kitchen Party follows from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM. To inspire your legs to dance, the evening kicks off with a Jigging demonstration by the talented Kikino Northern Lites Métis Dancers accompanied by their band - all the way from Alberta. These fiddlers and bandmates will keep the celebration going throughout the night. The evening will also feature the Frybread Queen, serving her famous Bear Paws all evening long. Come ready to eat, dance, visit, and celebrate together.
Indigenous Art Showcase:
Join us on October 3rd from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum’s Gallery for a special gathering featuring local and Indigenous artists from across Ontario. Artists will be sharing their work, demonstrating their craft, and offering the stories, teachings, and meanings behind their pieces. Visitors are invited to meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and purchase original artwork throughout the day. Raffle draw is at 4:00 PM. Traditional Indigenous food from the Frybread Queen will be behind the museum all day.
Join us on October 3rd from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a beading workshop with Métis Knowledge Keeper Patsea Griffin. The workshop will take place in the Millworker’s Learning Centre upstairs at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. Participants are invited to bead, learn, and connect through art. Donations are appreciated.
Porcupine Quill Earrings Workshop:
Join us on October 3rd from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for a porcupine quill earrings workshop with Métis Knowledge Keeper Patsea Griffin. The workshop will take place in the Millworker’s Learning Centre upstairs at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. Participants are invited to learn, create, and connect through art while making their own porcupine quill earrings. Donations are appreciated.
Indigenous Fashion Show:
Join us on October 3rd from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the Upper Gallery of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for a special Indigenous Fashion Show celebrating Indigenous creativity, design, culture, and artistry. Experience beautiful pieces that honour tradition, identity, and contemporary expression in a meaningful showcase of Indigenous fashion.
Water Walk:
Join us on October 4th at 8:00 AM for a Water Walk beginning at Almonte Old Town Hall and ending at Metcalfe Geoheritage Park. Together, we will walk in respect and reflection, concluding with an Offering to the Water.
Tickets:
Join us on October 4th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Gallery of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for a meaningful day of Indigenous teachings and presentations. Guided by Indigenous educators, dancers, and musicians, this special gathering offers an opportunity to learn, listen, connect, and experience the richness of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and creative expression. Stay all day and toast yourself a traditional Frybread with jam or a bologna sandwich; enjoy strawberry tea! Register for 1 or all 5. Donations are appreciated.
Film Screening & Discussion:
Join us on October 4th from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the Gallery of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for a screening and talkback of The Apology, an acclaimed documentary by Métis filmmaker Matt LeMay of Indigenous Geographic, who had exclusive access to the Indigenous delegation’s visit to the Vatican and the Pope. The film offers a powerful behind-the-scenes look at the 2022 Indigenous delegation’s historic journey to speak directly to Pope Francis and ask for and hear an apology from him for the Catholic Church’s role in the Residential School system. This screening invites reflection, conversation, and a deeper understanding of the experience and trauma of the Residential School survivors and this significant moment in their ongoing path toward healing. Donations are appreciated.
Teachings & Presentations:
For free tickets to Reconciliation Through Art click the "Get Tickets" button below.
Reconciliation Through Art is a multi-day event honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will feature Indigenous art, ceremony, storytelling, teachings, workshops, musical performances, traditional food and dancing!
Dates & Locations:
October 2nd, 2026
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Almonte Agricultural Hall
October 3rd, 2026
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Gallery
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Millworker's Learning Centre
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Millworker's Learning Centre
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Upper Gallery
October 4th, 2026
8:00 AM
Almonte Old Town Hall
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Gallery
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Gallery
Traditional Métis Kitchen Party:
Métis Kitchen Parties are traditional social gatherings of family and friends for an afternoon or an evening feast of boulette y bang (meatball stew and bannoch). Then the room is cleared, the fiddles break out and the dancing begins! Juno-nominated Amanda Rheaume will entertain and get everyone going by line dancing to her tune “Come on Down to Flossies”. A dance troupe and an amazing band will perform fast moving, foot stomping, hand clapping traditional Métis dances including dazzling displays of footwork to tunes like WHISKEY BEFORE BREAKFAST, BIG JOHN MCNEIL and THE RED RIVER JIG! Everyone will then be invited to join in the fun. As an added treat, the Frybread Queen will serve her famous Bear Paws all evening long. The party begins at 6:00 PM on Friday, October 2nd at the Almonte Agricultural Hall. Come ready to eat, dance, visit and celebrate together.
Indigenous Art Showcase:
Join us on October 3rd from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum’s Gallery for a special gathering featuring local and Indigenous artists from across Ontario. Artists will be sharing their work, demonstrating their craft, and offering the stories, teachings, and meanings behind their pieces. Visitors are invited to meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and purchase original artwork throughout the day. Raffle draw is at 4:00 PM. Traditional Indigenous food from the Frybread Queen will be behind the museum all day.
Join us on October 3rd from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a beading workshop with Métis Knowledge Keeper Patsea Griffin. The workshop will take place in the Millworker’s Learning Centre upstairs at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. Participants are invited to bead, learn, and connect through art. Donations are appreciated.
Porcupine Quill Earrings Workshop:
Join us on October 3rd from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for a porcupine quill earrings workshop with Métis Knowledge Keeper Patsea Griffin. The workshop will take place in the Millworker’s Learning Centre upstairs at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. Participants are invited to learn, create, and connect through art while making their own porcupine quill earrings. Donations are appreciated.
Indigenous Fashion Show:
Join us on October 3rd from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the Upper Gallery of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for a special Indigenous Fashion Show celebrating Indigenous creativity, design, culture, and artistry. Experience beautiful pieces that honour tradition, identity, and contemporary expression in a meaningful showcase of Indigenous fashion.
Water Walk:
Join us on October 4th at 8:00 AM for a Water Walk beginning at Almonte Old Town Hall and ending at Metcalfe Geoheritage Park. Together, we will walk in respect and reflection, concluding with an Offering to the Water.
Tickets:
Join us on October 4th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Gallery of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for a meaningful day of Indigenous teachings and presentations. Guided by Indigenous educators, dancers, and musicians, this special gathering offers an opportunity to learn, listen, connect, and experience the richness of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and creative expression. Stay all day and toast yourself a traditional Frybread with jam or a bologna sandwich; enjoy strawberry tea! Register for 1 or all 5. Donations are appreciated.
Film Screening & Discussion:
Join us on October 4th from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the Gallery of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for a screening and talkback of The Apology, an acclaimed documentary by Métis filmmaker Matt LeMay of Indigenous Geographic, who had exclusive access to the Indigenous delegation’s visit to the Vatican and the Pope. The film offers a powerful behind-the-scenes look at the 2022 Indigenous delegation’s historic journey to speak directly to Pope Francis and ask for and hear an apology from him for the Catholic Church’s role in the Residential School system. This screening invites reflection, conversation, and a deeper understanding of the experience and trauma of the Residential School survivors and this significant moment in their ongoing path toward healing. Donations are appreciated.
Teachings & Presentations:
For free tickets to Reconciliation Through Art click the "Get Tickets" button below.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENT
LEARN MORE ABOUT
THE EVENT
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Artists & Vendors
Discover works from more than two dozen local and Indigenous artists and vendors who will be happy to share the stories of their creations.
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Sponsors
Join us in creating a welcoming event that fosters reconciliation through creativity and dialogue by sponsoring Reconciliation Through Art!
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Artists & Vendors
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NATIONTALK INTERVIEW
In this special interview, NationTalk sits down with the Honourable Tony Belcourt to discuss the upcoming Reconciliation Through Art event. Join us as we explore how art, culture, and storytelling contribute to healing and reconciliation within Indigenous communities and beyond.
RAFFLE WINNERS
An amazing raffle featuring Indigenous art and other prizes from local businesses took place during Reconciliation Through Art. Check out the full list of prizes and winners below!
Amanda Pierce Encaustic Sea Pod
Winner: Amelia Ah You
Baker Bob Gift Basket
Winner: Jason Hallman
David Farnham Soapstone Faces Carving
Winner: Art Clark
Deanna Clothier 12 Segment Bowl and Bag
Winner: Karen Bisson
Fern Burntwood Print
Winner: Rik Walton
Five Indigenous Handmade Mexican Wall Tiles from George Simard
Winner: Louise Stevenson
Ginewaydaganac Village Smudge Kit
Winner: Lia Pirili
Indigenous Mexican Embroidery, Framed Image
Winner: Stephanie Rudyk
Inuk Woman in Parka Sculpture
Winner: Cathy Thompson
Jen Brant Medicine Bag
Winner: Bob Graff
Jen Brant Slate Coasters
Winner: Jacqueline Yost
Just Good Compost 6-Month Gift Certificate
Winner: Laurie Blackstock
Kelly Nahwegahbow-Marsolais Orange Shirt Pin
Winner: Jane McLeod
Lynn Melbourne Painting
Winner: Bev Swrjeski
Marie-Louise Peron Framed Print
Winner: Pam Steele
Métis Nation of Ontario Gift Basket
Winner: Susan Cressy
Pat Burstall Watercolour Painting
Winner: Julie Henry
Patti Belanger Giclee Print
Winner: Evelyn Ironside
Riley Demery Beading Kit
Winner: Kate McDermott
Riley Demery Earrings
Winner: Pearl Yost
The Story of the Métis in Ontario
Winner: Inga Belknap
Theresa Brant 2026 Calendar
Winner: Maureen McLeod
Turtle Lodge Trading Post Smudge Bundle
Winner: Renee Kokonya-Sullivan
Two Indigenous Handmade Mexican Lamps from George Simard
Winner: Jennifer Thompson
Two Monica Loney Paper Prints
Winner: Tony Belcourt
EVENT COMMITTEE
Thank you to all of the Reconciliation Through Art committee members whose hard work, dedication and expertise make this amazing event possible!
Chair
Tony Belcourt
Vice-Chair
Pamela Steele
MNOCC Liaison
Jo Anne Young
Media & Public Relations
David Joliffe
Pikwàkanagàn First Nation Liaison
Anne Noonan
Almonte Liaison & Fundraising
Lynn Melbourne
Fashion Show Conductor
Jason Baerg
Kooshkopayiw Liaison
George Simard
Sound Engineer
David Finkle
Volunteer & Billeting Coordinator
Terri Clarke
Raffle Coordinator
Catherine Pellerin
Key Supports
Mary-Jane Singerland
Liaison/Support for Artists, Performers and Presenters
Leticia Rangel Terrazas
Michael Usling
Margie Graff
Andrea Judge
Thank you to all of the community organizations and advisors whose collaborative efforts and expertise make Reconciliation Through Art possible!
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Michael Rikley-Lancaster
Mississippi Mills All My Relations
Team Effort
Thank you to all of the Reconciliation Through Art committee members whose hard work, dedication and expertise make this amazing event possible!
Chair
Tony Belcourt
MNOCC Liaison
Jo Anne Young
Pikwàkanagàn First Nation Liaison
Anne Noonan
Almonte Liaison & Fundraising
Lynn Melbourne
Kooshkopayiw Liaison
George Simard
Media & Public Relations
David Joliffe
Michael Usling
Liaison/Support for Artists, Performers and Presenters
Leticia Rangel Terrazas
Vice-Chair
Pamela Steele
Fashion Show Conductor
Jason Baerg
Sound Engineer
David Finkle
Volunteer & Billeting Coordinator
Terri Clarke
Raffle Coordinator
Catherine Pellerin
Key Supports
Mary-Jane Singerland
Margie Graff
Andrea Judge
ADVISORS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Thank you to all of the community organizations and advisors whose collaborative efforts and expertise make Reconciliation Through Art possible!
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Michael Rikley-Lancaster
Mississippi Mills All My Relations
Team Effort
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Kristy Cameron, a teacher and visual artist, was born and raised in Atikokan, Ontario, the Canoe Capital of Canada. As a Métis artist and descendant of numerous fur trade employees, she often incorporates Indigenous and historical content into her art. With this history and culture, we often see spiritual weavings throughout her pieces which evoke sensations such as mystery, energy, contentment, and joyfulness. Kristy's art can be found in private and public collections, such as the Archives of Ontario, the Kenora Justice Centre, the Canadian Museum of History, and various school boards and social agencies. She has collaborated with various authors to illustrate books and stories such as The Seven Sacred Teachings and Meet Your Family; these books have been highly used by educators nationwide.