Arts lead the way for Celebration of Nations
As Niagara’s Indigenous festival Celebration of Nations heads into its third year next month, artistic director MicheleElise Burnett leans on the arts more than ever.
The cultural spirit of the three-day event in downtown St. Catharines is music, art and performance, and Burnett believes Indigenous artists “are our greatest ambassadors.”
“They serve as affirmation of the powerful insights and significant contribution of our Indigenous culture to Canadian history and society,” she says.
Being held Sept. 6 to 8 at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, the festival will offer more than 40 events and performances. This year’s theme is Empathic Traditions: Honouring Mother Earth.
Co-presented by FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Kakekalanicks Indigenous Arts, the event’s first year made an immediate impact with headliner Buffy Sainte Marie. Programming was expanded in the second year, and Burnett says the event is building a “cross-cultural community” in Year 3.
“It is heartwarming to see Celebration of Nations become the catalyst that is uniting Indigenous peoples as one, as well as Canadians together,” she says.
“Reminding us that we all have a responsibility to live in harmony, peace and mutual respect amongst all living things and to one another, so that our seventh generation will be thankful.”
This year’s festival literally starts when the sun comes up on Day 1. A sunrise ceremony will be held at 6:30 a.m. and repeated the next two days.
Other events include concerts by WillPowr and Brothers Wilde, a singer/songwriter showcase, and the annual Procession of Nations through downtown St. Catharines. Most events are free.
To view the full lineup, visit www.celebrationofnations.ca.
“By curating and featuring exceptional artistic talent, and energized by intellectual themes, we’ve increased awareness of the Indigenous experience in the Niagara region,” says artistic producer Tim Johnson.
“And its effects have been felt in education, tourism, in business and broadly across the humanities.”