Maada'ookiidaa
Gmiingwewzinaan, Aki-nwewewnan
Mah-da-oo-key-daa
Geh-mehg-gweh-wez-inahn Ah-key-n-weh-we-wnan
Let's Share Our Gifts, The Sounds and Voices of the Land
The Algoma Fall Festival presents Maada'ookiidaa, a celebration of Indigenous arts and culture. Guided by the Festival's Indigenous Advisory Group, this multidisciplinary initiative brings together music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts in a spirit of sharing, healing, truth-telling and reconciliation. Rooted in the Anishinaabe understanding of Maada'ookiidaa,"let's share", artists will share their gifts and welcome audiences to experience the voices and sounds of the land through contemporary and traditional Indigenous performances and exhibitions.
Shirley, An Indian Residential School Story
At just five years old, Shirley was taken from her family and sent to residential school. Through expressive artwork and Shirley's own words, visitors journey alongside her, leaving her home for the schools, through the pain of separation and loss, to the resilience, hope, and strength that carried her forward. Each image becomes a voice, each story a gift shared with future generations.
Le festival Algoma Fall , en partenariat avec l’Art Gallery of Algoma, est fier de présenter Shirley : L’histoire d’un pensionnat pour autochtones, une exposition d’arts visuels percutante qui donne vie à l’histoire vécue de Shirley Horn grâce aux illustrations originales et au récit tirés de l’ouvrage acclamé de Shirley Horn et Joanne Robertson.
Blue Winds Red Eyes
Immerse yourself in a contemporary dance theatre live performance that brings the electrifying physicality of renowned The Chimera Project Dance Theatre to Sault Ste. Marie for an 8th year, with a story rooted in the impact of the power of the teachings of the Medicine Wheel. This exciting family friendly piece circles the audience with a story told through hoop and contemporary dance, music and song. The exceptional cast featuring Indigenous and western artists, together nurture a vision of reconciliation and healing within their work. This special commission by the Algoma Fall Festival is guided by the life-long wisdom of esteemed local elders.
Plongez au cœur d’un spectacle de danse-théâtre contemporain qui, pour une huitième année, transporte à Sault Ste-Marie l’énergie physique électrisante de la célèbre compagnie The Chimera Project Dance Theatre. L’œuvre s’articule autour de la portée des enseignements de la Roue de médecine. Ce spectacle captivant, conçu pour toute la famille, entoure le public d’un récit porté par la danse au cerceau et la danse contemporaine, la musique et le chant. Réunissant des artistes autochtones et allochtones, la distribution exceptionnelle cultive, à travers cette création, une vision de réconciliation et de guérison. Cette œuvre, une commande spéciale du festival Algoma Fall, s’inspire de la sagesse transmise tout au long de leur vie par des aînés locaux respectés.
Susan Aglukark
Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark is one of Canada's most celebrated artists and a pioneering voice in Canadian music. Blending Inuktitut, Indigenous and English with contemporary pop, she shares powerful stories of Inuit life, resilience, healing and hope that have inspired audiences across the country and around the world. Her honest songwriting, distinctive voice and commitment to fostering understanding through music have made her one of Canada's most respected cultural ambassadors.
L'auteure-compositrice-interprète inuk Susan Aglukark compte parmi les artistes les plus célèbres du Canada et figure parmi les voix pionnières de la scène musicale canadienne. Mêlant l'inuktitut, les langues autochtones et l'anglais à la musique pop contemporaine, elle partage des récits puissants sur la vie inuite, la résilience, la guérison et l'espoir, des histoires qui ont inspiré le public tant au pays qu'à l'étranger. L'authenticité de ses chansons, sa voix unique et son engagement à favoriser la compréhension mutuelle par la musique ont fait d'elle l'une des ambassadrices culturelles les plus respectées du Canada.
William Prince
William Prince brings his unmistakable voice and deeply moving songwriting to the stage in support of his latest album, Further From the Country. A two-time JUNO Award winner, Prince meets the challenge of putting incisive and enduring words to this age of uncertainty. Further From the Country, his fifth LP, is an extraordinary work of observation, reflection and ambition, a work that will leave its mark on listeners for its humanity and its potency.
William Prince monte sur scène pour présenter son dernier album, Further From the Country, porté par sa voix inimitable et une plume d'une profonde émotion. Lauréat de deux prix JUNO, l'artiste relève le défi de mettre des mots percutants et intemporels sur notre époque incertaine. Further From the Country, son cinquième album, est une œuvre remarquable d'observation, de réflexion et d'ambition, qui marquera les esprits par son humanité et sa puissance.
Terra Lightfoot with Logan Staats
Terra Lightfoot is a Juno and Polaris-nominated guitarist-singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario. Juno Award nominated Logan Staats hails from Six Nations of the Grand River and has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s cultural tastemakers, a land defender and one of our premiere storytellers.
Terra Lightfoot est une auteure-compositrice-interprète et guitariste originaire de Hamilton (Ontario), dont le travail a été salué par des nominations aux prix Juno et Polaris. Nommé aux prix Juno, Logan Staats est originaire de la communauté des Six Nations de la rivière Grand ; il s'est imposé comme une figure culturelle influente au Canada, un défenseur du territoire et un conteur hors pair.
Algoma Fall Festival Indigenous Advisory Group
The Algoma Fall Festival is grateful to Shirley, Barbara, Carolyn and Kaitlyn for their guidance, knowledge and wisdom.
Shirley (Fletcher) Horn
Shirley (Fletcher) Horn was born in Chapleau, Ontario, to Mary Lacroix and Gilbert Fletcher. She has five brothers and six sisters. She attended St. John's Indian Residential School, Shingwauk Indian Residential School, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, and Algoma University, where she was the first chancellor. Shirley is also an accomplished artist. She is most proud of her work helping to create the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and the Reclaiming Shingwauk Hall exhibit. Shirley served as Chief for her community, Missanabie Cree First Nation, for six years. She has three children and lives in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Barbara A. Nolan
Barbara A. Nolan is a proud Nishnaabe-kwe who is grateful to have retained her Nishnaabe language despite the impacts of Canada’s Indian residential school system. As a fluent first-language speaker of Nishnaabemwin, she has dedicated several decades to working with various organizations to support the revitalization of the Ojibway/Odawa language. Her most passionate approach is through storytelling, and more recently, she has created Anishinaabemowin children’s animated videos.
Barbara’s commitment to language and culture has been recognized by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, where she received the Medal of Merit Award. In December 2020, she was also appointed by the Anishinabek Nation as the Anishinaabemowin Commissioner. Her most recent award was receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree from Algoma University in June, 2026.
She continues to spend time at the Garden River Daycare Centre and is available for guest speaking engagements and translation work. Originally from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Barbara now resides in Garden River First Nation.
Carolyn Hepburn
Carolyn Hepburn is a proud member of Fort Albany First Nation. She has spent more than 25 years advancing Indigenous education, community engagement, and opportunities for Indigenous learners across Northern Ontario.
Throughout her career, Carolyn has contributed to several community, provincial, and national boards and advisory groups. Her work is grounded in relationship-building, cultural respect and creating meaningful spaces where Indigenous voices, knowledge and communities are recognized and celebrated.
As a member of the Algoma Fall Festival Indigenous Advisory Group, Carolyn is pleased to support the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and help strengthen respectful connections between the Festival, Indigenous artists and communities throughout the Algoma region.
Kaitlyn Neveu
Waabinong Noodinkwe n'digoo, Maiingan ndoodem, Baawating ndonjibaa, Anishinaabekwe Ojibway ndow, Kaitlyn Neveu ndizhinikaaz.
I am passionate about my Anishinaabe culture and the knowledge I have been gifted and am grateful to share with others. I deeply appreciate every opportunity to be part of meaningful initiatives that celebrate and honour Anishinaabe history, teachings, and traditions. I am honoured to contribute my perspectives and cultural knowledge to help create an inclusive and welcoming experience that fosters learning, respect, and connection within our community.