RECONCILIATION THROUGH ART
PERFORMERS & EDUCATORS
2025
Enjoy incredible Indigenous musicians during Our Voices in Song on September 29th at Almonte Old Town Hall, and learn from Indigenous knowledge keepers during workshops at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum on September 30th.
PERFORMERS
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
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
Artists & Vendors
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Storytellers & Performers
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Volunteers
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Media
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Amanda Rheaume
A Citizen of the Métis Nation, and an active and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Rheaume's music is indeed from the heart, and the land.
First a songwriter, Rheaume comes from a long line of tireless, transformational organizers and activists, and carries this lineage forward in her ever-growing role as a crucial builder of Indigenous music infrastructure and community.
From the International Indigenous Music Summit, to the newly-founded Ishkode Records, and the National Indigenous Music Office, the goal of raising Indigenous sovereignty in the music industry drives all of Rheaume's work.
Amanda will be performing during Our Voices in Song at Almonte Old Town Hall on September 29th.
Digging Roots
Digging Roots breathe life into songs from their land, Turtle Island, to raise their voices in solidarity with a global chorus of Indigenous artists, activists and change-makers. For over a decade, two time JUNO Award winners, Digging Roots, have traveled the world with a joyful message of resistance, celebrating Anishinabe and Onkwehón traditions of round dance and interconnectedness interwoven with the bedrock sounds of blues, soul and rock n’ roll.
Founding duo ShoShona Kish and Raven Kanatakta, have built a home for a talented community of players and collaborators that now includes their son, drummer Skye Polson. More than a band, Diggings Roots has taken their place at the frontline in their fight for equity and representation in the arts, with involvement in industry advocacy and organization, including the International Indigenous Music Summit and Ishkōdé Records, to empower arts communities worldwide.
Digging Roots will be performing during Our Voices in Song at Almonte Old Town Hall on September 29th.
Kevin Schofield
Kevin Schofield, a.k.a. The Tennessee Cree, is an Indigenous singer-songwriter who blends powerful songwriting with traditional chants. His unique, evocative style is captured on his two-part solo album: Meeting Myself on Raven Street.
Kevin sings old school pow wow songs with classical violin and some Tennessee Cree twang. He will share Moose Cree songs of his youth. No one has ever sung a Cree hymn in Cree language in a rock concert setting... Kevin has!
Kevin will be performing during Our Voices in Song at Almonte Old Town Hall on September 29th.
Aurora Jade
Since the age of nine, Aurora Jade has had an impressive musical career. Having won the grand prize at the 2008's National Aboriginal Day 'We Got Talent' competition in Ottawa, Aurora has gone on to perform the Senate at Parliament Hill, Grand Hall at the Museum of Civilization, pow-wows, numerous music festivals, galas and conferences, as well as having appeared on numerous T.V. and radio shows. Aurora is also a classical pianist and has won many nation-wide competitions for composition.
Now 26, Aurora performs with various musical acts, as well as gives solo performances of her repertoire of original material. She is currently working on her second album, residing in Ottawa, playing various venues, and teaching Indigenous arts in the schools.
Aurora will be performing during Our Voices in Song at Almonte Old Town Hall on September 29th.
Jennifer E. Brant
Jennifer E. Brant – Yakothehtón:ni, sits with the Bear Clan in Kenhté:ke, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario, and is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. She is an Educator, Singer-songwriter, Artist, and Farmer. Jennifer’s work reflects her connection to her Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk) culture, and the people and places that surround her.
She has played music throughout Eastern Ontario at numerous festivals and events over the past 25 years as a single, duo with her husband Kieran Edwards or with her former band Mustang.
Jennifer independently released 3 albums, her most recent album is Resilience in December 2023. “Resilience”– is inspired by Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk) language and culture. Three of the songs are bilingual Kanyen’kéha and English.
Jennifer will be performing during Our Voices in Song at Almonte Old Town Hall on September 29th.
WORKSHOPS/EDUCATORS
Ontario Métis Facts: Culture, History, and Meeting the Challenges of Today
with Mitch Case and Zac Thiffault
September 30, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 11:40 AM
Discover the depth, diversity, and ongoing strength of the Métis People within Ontario in this compelling workshop led by two of Ontario’s most respected Métis voices: Mitch Case and Zac Thiffault.
Mitch Case, a proud citizen of the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community, is a community-based historian known for bringing to life the rich, often overlooked stories of Métis resilience and resistance across the Great Lakes. Mitch will guide you through key historical moments—the Métis role in the War of 1812, the Mica Bay Incident, and the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850—offering a vital Métis perspective often missing from mainstream narratives.
Zac Thiffault, from the Georgian Bay Métis Community, is a Métis rights lawyer, working as Legal Counsel and Director of Métis Rights, Claims, and Litigation for the Métis Nation of Ontario. With a background in law and social sciences, Zac offers a clear-eyed look at the legal and political landscape Métis communities face today. From self-government and land rights to internal governance and recognition, Zac will illuminate the pressing issues shaping the future of the Métis peoples within Ontario.
Together, Mitch and Zac weave a powerful story of living, evolving Métis people and their communities —deeply rooted in history, actively asserting rights today, and fighting for a future defined by justice and self-determination. Whether you’re new to Métis history or looking to deepen your understanding, this workshop offers an unforgettable opportunity to hear directly from those living and leading the Métis experience every day.
Rhythms of the Drum
with Inuk Elder David Serkoak
September 30, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
Step into the rhythm of Inuit tradition with renowned drum dancer, educator, and cultural leader David Serkoak. Born in Nueltin Lake, Nunavut, and a survivor of multiple forced relocations of the Ahiarmiut people, David brings a lifetime of lived experience, resilience, and deep cultural knowledge to everything he shares.
A dedicated educator and cultural advocate, David has taught at every level—from classrooms in the North to international museums and universities. He has developed Inuktitut language materials, curated Inuit collections at the British Museum, and served as a beloved instructor at Nunavut Sivuniksavut in Ottawa. But at the heart of his work is one enduring passion: the Inuit drum.
In this interactive workshop, David invites you to learn the sacred traditions of Inuit drum dancing and drum making. Through movement, rhythm, and storytelling, you’ll explore the powerful role of the drum in Inuit culture—as both a form of celebration and a symbol of survival. Whether you're dancing for the first time or reconnecting with Indigenous ways of knowing, this is a rare opportunity to learn from a master and carrier of tradition whose spirit and skill have inspired audiences around the world.
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The Life and Times of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan
with Dan Kohoko
September 30, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 1:40 PM
Dan Kohoko is a respected Algonquin hunter, fisher, knowledge keeper and former Councillor of the Pikwakanagan First Nation, whose deep roots in the land and traditions of his people bring lived wisdom to every conversation. His experiences on the land aren’t just teachings—they are life itself, shaped by generations of connection, stewardship, and survival. Dan Kohoko’s voice resonates with authenticity, grounded in both practice and ancestry. Dan expertly and eloquently tells the story of his people, their culture and history.
In his talks, Kohoko sheds light on the complexities of the Algonquin land claim—not as an abstract legal negotiation, but as a living issue that affects families, ecosystems, and cultural identity. He offers insight into what has been lost, what is at stake, and what possibilities lie ahead, making this long-standing process accessible and real to those who may feel distant from it. His reflections help non-Indigenous audiences understand the emotional and historical weight of the claim, while offering a powerful call to engage with it meaningfully.
Whether you’re new to the topic or have been following it for years, Dan Kohoko offers a rare opportunity to hear the Algonquin land claim story from someone whose life is directly tied to its outcome. His words challenge, inspire, and remind us of our shared responsibilities to land and justice. This is not just a talk—it’s an invitation to listen deeply and see the land through Indigenous eyes.
The Power of Breath: Inuit Throat Singing
with Crystal Martin
September 30, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 2:40 PM
Join Inuk performer and storyteller Crystal Martin for an unforgettable exploration of Inuit throat singing—an ancient art form rooted in rhythm, resilience, and deep connection to the land. Originally from Sanirajak, Nunavut, Crystal brings a rare combination of artistic talent, cultural insight, and community leadership to her work. As a soulful throat singer and co-founder of Indigenous Geographic, Crystal weaves performance with education, illuminating the cultural significance and contemporary relevance of Inuit sound traditions.
This interactive workshop invites participants to listen, learn, and witness the embodied power of Inuit throat singing through live performance and guided practice. Crystal’s approach honours the traditional roots of this unique vocal style while encouraging reflection on cultural revitalization, Indigenous storytelling, and the breath as a source of strength and identity. Whether you're new to throat singing or simply curious, this session offers a profound encounter with an Indigenous art form that continues to shape and sustain Inuit life today.
Come ready to be moved—by voice, by story, and by the powerful presence of one of Nunavut’s most compelling cultural voices.
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Dispelling Myths of Métis Origins
with Elder Tony Belcourt
September 30, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 3:40 PM
Join Tony Belcourt—lifelong advocate, political leader, and knowledge keeper—for a powerful exploration of Métis identity beyond the familiar Red River narrative.
Born in the historic Métis community of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, Tony brings over 55 years of experience advancing the rights and recognition of Métis people in Canada and around the world. As founding President of the Métis Nation of Ontario and a key figure in achieving the 2003 Supreme Court ruling in R v. Powley, his leadership has shaped how Métis rights are understood today. A driving force behind the constitutional recognition of the Métis in 1982 and a representative in UN negotiations on Indigenous rights, Tony is also an Officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award.
In this thought-provoking session, Tony weaves together personal and ancestral history to challenge the widely held belief that all Métis communities stem from Red River migrations. Focusing on Lac Ste. Anne and drawing connections to other long-standing Métis communities from Ontario to the Northwest Territories, he reveals a broader, deeper story of Métis ethnogenesis—one rooted in place, kinship, and Indigenous continuity.
This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the most respected voices in Métis political, cultural, and spiritual life.
Healing in Motion: Jingle Dress Dancing
with Amanda Fox
September 30, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 4:40 PM
Experience the heartbeat of Indigenous culture with Amanda Fox, a proud Ojibwe from the Unceded Territory of Wiikwemkoong, Ontario, now based in Ottawa. Amanda has spent most of her life engaging in her culture with songs, dance and artwork while living in “the big city.” Amanda began dancing at the age of 2 and now dances Old Style Jingle Dress. She has a profound knowledge of all styles of powwow dance and protocol.
In this powerful workshop, Amanda will introduce you to the jingle dress dance—a sacred and healing tradition in many Anishinaabe communities. She’ll share the history and teachings behind the dance, explain the significance of the jingle dress and its songs, and guide you through its graceful and purposeful movements. Whether you’re dancing along or simply learning through observation, Amanda creates a welcoming and respectful space for everyone.
Come explore the rhythm, meaning, and medicine of the jingle dress with one of the most passionate culture-bearers in the country. All are welcome—no experience required.
Isaac Murdoch
Isaac is well respected as a storyteller and traditional knowledge holder. For many years he has led various workshops and cultural camps that focus on the transfer of knowledge to youth. His work includes traditional Ojibway paint imagery/symbolism, harvesting, medicine walks and ceremonial knowledge, cultural camps, Anishinaabeg oral history, birch bark canoe making, birch bark scrolls, and youth and elders workshops. He has committed his life to the preservation of Anishinaabe cultural practices and has spent years learning directly from Elders. Issac will present stories and will have his prints and teaching tools available for sale.
Giniw Paradis
Graham Paradis (he/him) is Michif/Wiisaakodewin from Penetanguishene with ancestral ties to Lesser Lakes Lake, AB. He is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. He has been beading since 2012 as a self-taught artist and started mentoring under Naomi Smith (Chippewas of Nawash, Neyaashiinigmiing Unceded Territory) in 2014. His beadwork and quillwork have been featured at the Royal Alberta Museum, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Art Mur, the PAMA Museum, Guelph Civic Museum, the Niagara Falls History Museum, and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. Graham is Red/Green colour blind which at times gives his beadwork an interesting and unique colour palette.
Frybread Queen
Nish is a self-taught wood and bone antler carver. His home community is Kebaowek First Nation at Kipewa, Quebec.
His work naturally gravitated to eagles, bears, wolves and beaver – animals he had seen as a young boy living an Indigenous life with his grandparents in Northern Quebec.
Nish is carving a Thunderbird specifically for Reconciliation Through Art and will complete his carving during the event. He will tell the story of Nanibush and how the Thunderbird came to be.
Mitch Case
Mitch Case is a proud Métis citizen from the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community. He is a community based historian, focusing on the history of Ontario Métis communities, especially those around the Great Lakes.
Mitch is a passionate defender of the Métis right to self-determination, jurisdiction over lands and resources and the cause of Métis Nationalism. Mitch volunteers in schools, colleges and universities across Ontario where he is invited to speak about Métis culture, history, traditions, rights and contemporary issues.
Mitch will present the Métis perspective of the Métis involvement in the War of 1812, the Mica Bay Incident and the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.
Lollies and Button Bites (Deborah Letch)
Waaseyaa Kwe, Sunshine Woman, Waanaashkeski Doodem, is a versatile artist, and self taught sweet maker based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She is of Métis, French, and Algonkian (Anishinaabe) ancestry, with documented roots in Nipissing, Michilimakinac, and Trois Rivières. As an award nominated Makeup Artist, her creative nature enjoys art in all its forms including confectionary art, designing contemporary greeting cards, pin back buttons and nature inspired crafts. Inspired by her wanderings in the woods, birthed a fusion of woodland magic within her confections, where nature's bounty dances within her lollipops. Using top-quality ingredients without preservatives and keeping the ingredient list minimal, she meticulously handcrafts her sugar art as a form of creative expression.
SPECIAL SCREENING
Inendi (She is Absent)
Inendi is a documentary film, directed by Sarain Fox. Created in part as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and the risk that the stories and experiences of Indigenous community Elders could be lost if not documented, the film documents Fox interviewing her elderly aunt, Mary Bell, about her experiences as an Indian Residential School Survivor.
The film's title, "Inendi", means "she is absent" in the Anishinaabemowin language. It premiered in December 2020 on CBC Gem, as part of the Short Docs series. Fox received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Host or Interviewer in a News or Information Program or Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.
A special screening and discussion will take place on September 28th at the Almonte United Church Sanctuary, from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM). Tickets are available through TicketsPlease. Donations are encouraged.
Special Guest: Nimkii Osawamick
On September 28th at 1:30 PM, Nimkii Osawamick will make a special guest appearance at the screening of Inendi at the United Church. Nimkii nini (Thunder Man) Osawamick is an Anishinaabe dance artist from Wiikwemkoong, Unceded Territory located in Manitoulin Island and is a member of the Wolf Clan. Nimkii has been dancing since the age of three years old. Now an active community member in powwow circles, Nimkii is well-known as a lead singer, hoop dancer and champion powwow dancer in the Fancy Dance category. He has travelled extensively across North America sharing his gift of singing and dancing with the peoples of Turtle Island. Nimkii has previously worked with with Nozhem Theatre and Trent University as a dance artist which has opened many doors for him into the performance world. Nimkii is dedicated to the preservation and awareness of his peoples' culture and history which is highlighted in his business DNA STAGE: Dedicated Native Awareness which helps bridge the cultural gap between First Nations people and inhabitants.
The film's title, "Inendi", means "she is absent" in the Anishinaabemowin language. It premiered in December 2020 on CBC Gem, as part of the Short Docs series. Fox received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Host or Interviewer in a News or Information Program or Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021.
A special screening and discussion will take place on September 28th at the Almonte United Church Sanctuary, from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM). Tickets are available through TicketsPlease. Donations are encouraged.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Zac Thiffault
Zac Thiffault is Métis from the Georgian Bay Métis Community.
Zac will be making a presentation on the history and the ancestry of the Métis families of the Great Lakes Métis Communities.
He received his JD and his B.Soc.Sc (hons) from the University of Ottawa. Zac is Legal Counsel to the Métis Nation of Ontario, advising on a wide range of topics including self-government, Métis rights, and internal governance. He is also Secretary of the Indigenous Bar Association.
Kevinn Schofield
Kevinn Schofield, a.k.a. The Tennessee Cree, is an Indigenous singer-songwriter who blends powerful songwriting with traditional chants. His unique, evocative style is captured on his two-part solo album: Meeting Myself on Raven Street.
Kevinn sings old school pow wow songs with classical violin and some Tennessee Cree twang. He will share Moose Cree songs of his youth. No one has ever sung a Cree hymn in Cree language in a rock concert setting... Kevinn has!
Amanda Rheaume
A Citizen of the Métis Nation, and an active and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Rheaume's music is indeed from the heart, and the land.
From the International Indigenous Music Summit, to the newly-founded Ishkode Records, and the National Indigenous Music Office, the goal of raising Indigenous sovereignty in the music industry drives all of Rheaume's work.
First a songwriter, Rheaume comes from a long line of tireless, transformational organizers and activists, and carries this lineage forward in her ever-growing role as a crucial builder of Indigenous music infrastructure and community.
David Finkle
David Finkle has been called a 'Renaissance man'. Hailing from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, he is an award-winning, multi-instrumental recording artist versed in many musical genres. He is a traditional knowledge keeper, storyteller, drum maker, performer, producer, and sound engineer, and has completed scores for many various theatrical productions, documentaries and full-length features for 30 years.
David's music ranges from traditional melodies to live improvisation, being instinctual as well as involving a deep understanding of music theory without allowing it to stifle his heartfelt compositions. Exhibiting a strong focus on drums, melody duties often go to Native American Flute, an instrument unlike any other in the world. David has performed in North/Central America, the high Arctic, and Africa.
Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk
Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk has completed a doctorate in classical and fiddle music traditions on the viola at the Université de Montréal. An award winning composer and performer, Alyssa strives to spread awareness of Métis culture within her communities.
Alyssa conducts workshops in schools on Métis fiddle music, oral learning tradition, improvisation, and cultural history. Over the course of her workshops, students learn about slides, drones, clogging, spoons, and grooves, and increase their cultural literacy of Indigenous music. At the event, she will conduct workshops in addition to performing with her good friend, Amanda Rheaume.
David Charette
David White Deer Charette’s home community is Wikwemikong, ON. He is an Ojibway Two-Spirit artist who started beading when he was 12. His sister taught him how to bead and his aunt taught him how to sew. His inspiration comes from growing up on the powwow trail.
David has been singing traditional and contemporary Indigenous music with the hand drum since he was 12 years old. His diverse songs can wow the crowd. He says, “I am Loon Clan and these sort of people can get the audience’s attention with the power in their voice by singing loud and soft when needed.”
Doris Lanigan
Doris is a Senator and Elder of the Métis Nation of Ontario. She will provide an opening prayer at the event. She will talk about the experience and the impact of the Sixties Scoop on her family who originate from Big River, Saskatchewan.
Doris will also model fashion designs by her son, Jason Baerg. Her photo was included in Vogue’s August 16, 2023 feature article: “21 Artists to Know at This Year’s Santa Fe Indian Market”
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.