RECONCILIATION THROUGH ART
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 three day event that coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will feature art, storytelling and performances from local and Indigenous artists.
Dates & Locations:
September 28th, 2025
1:30 PM
Outside Almonte United Church
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Almonte United Church Sanctuary
September 29th, 2025
6:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Doors Open 6:00 PM)
Almonte Old Town Hall
September 30th, 2025
8:00 AM
Almonte Old Town Hall
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Food Vendor: The Frybread Queen returns!
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Behind Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Hoop Dancing:
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.
Special Screening:
On September 28th, a special screening of Sarain Fox's Inendi will be held at the Almonte United Church Sanctuary. Inendi chronicles the life of Sarain's great-aunt Mary Bell, a knowledge-keeper and the oldest remaining matriarch in her family. Mary survived nearly a decade in a Residential School and worked on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, recording the stories of other survivors. Sarain and her family will be in attendance and available for the discussion after the screening.
Musical Performances:
On September 29th, an unforgettable Indigenous music showcase will be held at Almonte Old Town Hall. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Show starts at 6:30 PM.
On September 30th, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, a Water Walk will take place. The Water Walk begins at Almonte Old Town Hall and ends at Kirkland Park, 55 Mill St., with an Offering to the Water.
Art Exhibition:
On September 30th, local and Indigenous artists from across Ontario will be featured in the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum's Gallery. They will be selling their art, explaining and demonstrating their craft, and telling stories and significance behind their pieces.
Teachings & Presentations:
On September 30th, in the Millworkers Learning Centre, upstairs from the Gallery, Indigenous educators, dancers, and musicians will deliver teachings and demonstrations throughout the day.
School Presentations:
On September 30th, Indigenous educators and storytellers will visit local schools throughout the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to deliver classroom presentations and share teachings and reflections.
Tickets:
On September 30th, a cash-only raffle featuring Indigenous art and donated products from local businesses will take place.
Raffle:
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 a dozen local and Indigenous artists, many of whom will be in attendance to share the stories of their creations.
Sponsors
Join us in creating a welcoming event that fosters reconciliation through creativity and dialogue by sponsoring Reconciliation Through Art!
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EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
Professional photographer Rik Walton was on site to take photographs of the amazing artists, performers, speakers and storytellers at Reconciliation Through Art. Check out some of the best moments from the day below!
If you would like to find out who is speaking, teaching, or performing in the photographs, simply hover over the image to learn more.
Opening Ceremony
Artists & Vendors
Workshops & Teachings
Water Walk
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
Pikwakanagan First Nation Liaison
Anne Noonan
Algonquin College Liaison
Sheila Grantham
Almonte Liaison & Fundraising
Lynn Melbourne
Schools Liaison
Margie Graff
Kooshkopayiw Liaison
George Simard
Social Media & Design
Ahlena Sultana
Volunteer Coordinator
Terri Clarke
Raffle Coordinator
Catherine Pellerin
Sound Engineer
David Finkle
Liaison/Support for Artists, Performers and Presenters
Leticia Rangel Terrazas
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
Pikwakanagan First Nation Liaison
Anne Noonan
Almonte Liaison & Fundraising
Lynn Melbourne
Kooshkopayiw Liaison
George Simard
Volunteer Coordinator
Terri Clarke
Liaison/Support for Artists, Performers and Presenters
Leticia Rangel Terrazas
Vice-Chair
Pamela Steele
Media & Public Relations
David Joliffe
Algonquin College Liaison
Sheila Grantham
Schools Liaison
Margie Graff
Social Media & Design
Ahlena Sultana
Raffle Coordinator
Catherine Pellerin
Sound Engineer
David Finkle
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.