What is now called the nation’s capital has been known by many for its rich history and recognizable monuments. But what stories have so far gone untold? What knowledge is embedded in the foundations of this territory? From Akikodjiwan to Kijik Pikwadin, and along the Kichizibi, a collection of moments both personal and historical examine deep connections recalled through song, poem and memory.
Walk around the areas highlighted on the map to listen to the stories on location. All you need is a device with you that can run the link in a browser (Internet connection required).
Anishinaabe multidisciplinary artist from Kitigan Zibi, Craig Commanda works through still and moving images, poetry, music, beadwork, and sound composition. A practice unfolding over a decade, his creative process has enabled community engagement and travel across Turtle Island and beyond. His practice seeks resurgence contributing to cultural preservation and revitalization for and by Indigenous peoples.
Artiste multidisciplinaire anishinaabe de Kitigan Zibi, Craig Commanda travaille à partir d’images fixes et animées, de poésie, de musique, de perlage et de composition sonore. Son processus créatif, qui s’étend sur plus d’une décennie, lui a permis de s’engager dans la communauté et de voyager à travers l’île de la Tortue et au-delà. Sa pratique cherche à renaître en contribuant à la préservation et à la revitalisation culturelles pour et par les peuples autochtones.
Accompanied by an original musical composition representing a soundscape of land and water, Craig Commanda preserves the words of Elder Albert Dumont, bringing the voice of Akikodjiwan to life.
Larissa Desrosiers is an emerging Singer/Songwriter from Couchiching First Nation in Treaty #3. She is a proud queer Anishinaabekwe who draws her inspiration from our constantly evolving human condition. She is a family member of MMIWG2ST+, who aims to hold space for survivors as well as victims. Larissa conveys her empathy as a storyteller; through feelings, whether it’s love, rage, pain, desire or sorrow. She offers this understanding of the world through her music and song.
Larissa Desrosiers est une autrice-compositrice-interprète émergente de la Première nation Couchiching du Traité no 3. Elle est une fière Anishinaabekwe queer qui puise son inspiration dans notre condition humaine en constante évolution. Elle est membre de la famille de FF2EADA, qui vise à faire de la place aux survivantes et aux victimes. Larissa transmet son empathie de conteuse à travers les sentiments, que ce soit l’amour, la rage, la douleur, le désir ou le chagrin. Elle offre cette compréhension du monde à travers sa musique et ses chansons.
Emily Marie Séguin (she/they) is an emerging performer, musician, theatre creator and visual artist. She is a queer, 2-spirit artist of French and Anishinaabeg descent (Ottawa, Mattawa-Northbay FN) creating work to honor those who walked before her, and to uplift those who will after her.
She primarily works on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinabeg Nation, Ottawa (and surrounding areas).
Planteuse de racines
Emily Marie Séguin (elle/iel) est une interprète émergente, musicienne, créatrice de théâtre et artiste visuelle. Elle est une artiste bispirituelle queer, d’origine française et Anishinaabeg (Ottawa, Mattawa-Northbay FN), créant des œuvres pour honorer ceux qui l’ont précédée et pour élever ceux qui viendront après elle.
Elle travaille principalement sur le territoire non-cédé de la Nation Anishinabeg, Ottawa (et les régions avoisinantes).
Emily Marie Seguin’s live audio recordings taken from throughout the Ottawa downtown core create a dense composition, accompanied by memories from Jennifer Ferrante that recount a Mother and Daughter’s relationship to the territory and calls to the importance of the wellness of Aki.
Amanda Rheaume is a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and an independent singer/songwriter that has self-managed her music career for over 15 years. She has released five full-length albums. Her album Keep a Fire was nominated for a JUNO Award and won a Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year. Amanda is currently the Director of Operations for the International Indigenous Music Summit, Co-Founder of Ishkode Records and Project Coordinator for the creation of a National Indigenous Music Office.
Amanda Rheaume est une citoyenne de la nation métisse de l’Ontario et une autrice-compositrice-interprète indépendante qui gère elle-même sa carrière musicale depuis plus de 15 ans. Elle a fait paraître cinq albums complets, dont Keep a Fire, finaliste pour un prix JUNO et lauréat d’un Prix de musique folklorique canadienne dans la catégorie auteur-compositeur autochtone de l’année. Amanda est actuellement directrice des opérations pour le Sommet international de la musique autochtone, cofondatrice de Ishkode Records et coordinatrice de projet pour la création d’un bureau national de la musique autochtone.
Singer/songwriter Amanda Rheaume is joined by Elder Annie Smith St Georges, and imagines Annie’s ancestor’s words through song: a past world of rich culture where the Centre Block now stands, and a bright future of continuous traditions.
Alanis King is an Ottawa-based Odawa theatre director and playwright originally from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on beautiful Manitoulin Island. Previously the Artistic Director of Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, Native Earth Performing Arts, Debajehmujig Theatre Group, King currently runs a small collective Odawa Native Theatre where her new play Two Spirits will have a reading this summer. She is thrilled to be a part of this project as a Guest Odawa artist living in the Capital and is equally thrilled to be a proud Nokomis to Declan River Odjig.
Alanis King est une metteure en scène et dramaturge odawa basée à Ottawa, originaire de la réserve autochtone non cédée de Wikwemikong sur la magnifique île Manitoulin. Auparavant directrice artistique de la Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, de Native Earth Performing Arts et du Debajehmujig Theatre Group, Alanis King dirige actuellement un petit collectif, l’Odawa Native Theatre, où sa nouvelle pièce Two Spirits sera présentée en lecture cet été. Elle est ravie de participer à ce projet en tant qu’artiste odawa invitée vivant dans la capitale et est également ravie d’être une fière Nokomis de Declan River Odjig.
A grandmother imagines a shared conversation with a future generation – and recounts the Seven Fires Prophecy, the history of Asinabka, and her place within its history.
