Schedule of Events

August 8-10, 2025 | Open Hearth Park, Sydney, Unama’ki (Cape Breton)

*schedule subject to change

  • 1:00 PM – Site Opens

    • 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Artisan & Crafter Marketplace

    • 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Cultural Demonstrations at the Cultural Village presented by Eskasoni, Wagmatcook, Potlotek and Thunderbird Commercial Insurance

    • 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Unama’ki College Community Engagement presented by CBU/Unama'ki College

    • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Truth Sharing – Reflections from Indian Day School Survivors (The Yurt) - Sponsored by Scotiabank

    • 6:00 PM · Opening Ceremony

    • 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM · Main Stage Concerts

      • 7:00 PM – Mimi O’Bonsawin

      • 8:00 PM – Drives the Common Man

      • 9:00 PM – DeeDee Austin

      • 10 PM – The Relatives

    All Day Amenities:

    • 1:00 PM – Close · Food Trucks

    • Elders Tent - Sponsored by Nova Scotia Power and AFNAW

    • Sensory Tent

    • Food Tent

  • Sunrise Ceremony at the Cultural Grounds (Oonig (Gregory) Paul Ward will be the Sacred Firekeeper) — Due to the existing provincial burn ban there will be an alternate tobacco offering ceremony in the place of lighting the sacred fire.

    • 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Artisan & Crafter Marketplace

    • 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Cultural Demonstrations at the Cultural Village presented by Eskasoni, Wagmatcook, Potlotek and Thunderbird Commercial Insurance

    • 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Unama’ki College Community Engagement presented by CBU/Unama'ki College

    • 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM · Truth Sharing – Reflections from Indian Day School Survivors (The Yurt) - Sponsored by Scotiabank

    • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Reflections – Survivor Drop-In (The Yurt)

    • 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM · PowWow / Mawio’mi

    • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Chef Ray Bear – Indigenous Culinary Experience presented by Lʼnuwey Tplutaqan (Tuma Young, NWL, KC)

    • 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM · Main Stage Concerts

      • 6:30 PM — Vincent Joe Sr. (accompanied by Vincent Joe Jr. on piano)

      • 7:00 PM – Christina Googoo

      • 7:30 PM – HiBoys

      • 8:30 PM – Gearl

      • 9:00 PM – Don Amero

      • 10:00 PM – Neon Dreams

    All Day Amenities:

    • 1:00 PM – Close · Food Trucks

    • Elders Tent - Sponsored by Nova Scotia Power and AFNAW

    • Sensory Tent

    • Food Tent

  • Sunrise Ceremony at the Cultural Grounds (Oonig (Gregory) Paul Ward will be the Sacred Firekeeper) — Due to the existing provincial burn ban there will be an alternate tobacco offering ceremony in the place of lighting the sacred fire.

    • 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Artisan & Crafter Marketplace

    • 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Cultural Demonstrations at the Cultural Village presented by Eskasoni, Wagmatcook, Potlotek and Thunderbird Commercial Insurance

    • 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Unama’ki College Community Engagement presented by CBU/Unama'ki College

    • 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM · Truth Sharing – Reflections from Indian Day School Survivors (The Yurt) - Sponsored by Scotiabank

    • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Reflections – Survivor Drop-In (The Yurt)

    • 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM · PowWow / Mawio’mi

    • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Indigenous Culinary Experience presented by Lʼnuwey Tplutaqan (Tuma Young, NWL, KC)

    • 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Main Stage Concerts & Fireworks Finale

      • 6:00 PM – Emma Stevens

      • 7:00 PM – Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers

      • 8:00 PM – Morgan Toney Band

      • 9:00 PM – Second Generation (with Fireworks Finale)

    All Day Amenities:

    • 1:00 PM – Close · Food Trucks

    • Elders Tent - Sponsored by Nova Scotia Power and AFNAW

    • Sensory Tent

    • Food Tent