On Sunday, September 21, behind the Windsor Tavern in Vankleek Hill, the community came together to celebrate and experience Indigenous culture and tradition. The Children of the Earth Festival was organized by Mélanie Villeneuve, also known as Snow Bear, and the Indigenous Grassroots Circle of Eastern Ontario (IGCEO).
Villeneuve, of Ojibwe/Métis ancestry, guided attendees through traditional Indigenous practices and shared cultural knowledge.
Member of Parliament for Prescott-Russell-Cumberland Giovanna Mingarelli, stopped by to share some words and participate in an Indigenous Round Dance led by Elder Tom Dearhouse, a local Indigenous knowledge keeper, with a handheld drum.
“I’m deeply honoured to be here with you all today on the unseated territory of the Haudenosaunee Nation. We pay tribute to the Haudenosaunee people, the traditional custodians of this land,” Mingarelli said. “We acknowledge their sacred connection to this land and express our gratitude for their continued presence, wisdom, and resilience.”
“This festival is more than a celebration; it’s a space of healing, resistance, and pride. Truth and Reconciliation is one of the highest priorities for the federal government. And that means supporting Indigenous-led initiatives for education, language revitalization, and cultural preservation,” Mingarelli concluded.
The festival drew community members of all ages, providing an educational opportunity to celebrate and connect with Indigenous traditions.
Photos by Philip Oddi:
