Ottawa, ON, March 20, 2025 — The highly anticipated Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) is moving to Wesley Clover Parks for this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, June 21-22. The new venue provides more space to enhance the festival and celebrate the culture, traditions, and contemporary expressions of Indigenous Peoples.
Wesley Clover Parks, located in Ottawa’s west end near Highways 416 and 417, is easily accessible by car and public transit, with ample onsite parking and camping grounds. Spanning nearly 500 acres, the park features tree-lined areas, open fields, and a 10,000-square-foot covered pavilion, making it an ideal venue for the festival. Its flexibility ensures a perfect setting for the International Competition Pow Wow, rain or shine. This year’s Pow Wow will feature Grammy-nominated Bear Creek and 2024 champions Battle Nation as Host Drums.
In addition to the Pow Wow, highlights for this year’s festival include the Glow-in-the-Dark Pow Wow, and an exciting drone show. Attendees can participate in workshops, culinary experiences, and explore the Indigenous Marketplace. Family-friendly fun includes the SuperDogs, Jed the Mechanical Bull, axe throwing, and Inuit Games. Madahoki Farm’s Ojibwe Spirit Horses will also be on-site, along with many more exciting experiences.
“This move to Wesley Clover Parks enables us to create an even more immersive and engaging festival experience,” said Trina Mather-Simard, CEO of Indigenous Experiences and Producer of Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. “We’re excited to welcome guests to our new location, offering ample onsite parking, where they can enjoy diverse and vibrant Indigenous programming, including music, dance, food, and interactive activities—all for free.”
“We are thrilled to welcome the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival to Wesley Clover Parks in 2025. This partnership marks a beautiful intersection of culture, community, and nature. As an outdoor hub dedicated to promoting learning and connection with nature, we are honoured to provide a space for this vibrant celebration of Indigenous heritage. We look forward to offering an unforgettable experience to festival-goers in the heart of the National Capital Greenbelt.” Karen Sparks, Executive Director, Wesley Clover Parks
Throughout June, programming will take place at partner venues such as the National Arts Centre and the Canadian Museum of History, with additional partners to be announced this spring. The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is a must-attend event that unites Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in a spirit of celebration and reconciliation.
For more information, the full festival schedule, and updates, visit https://summersolsticefestivals.ca and follow us on SSIF Instagram (@solsticefestivals), SSIF Facebook #SSIF2025.
About Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
Founded in Ottawa in 1996, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) is an annual multi-disciplinary arts event celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. Produced by Indigenous Experiences on behalf of the NIPD Committee, which represents Indigenous communities across Canada, the festival unites artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s rich and diverse Indigenous cultures.
Media Contact:
Mary Jelley
mary@kowconnected.ca
613-791-6703