Wikwemikong Cultural Festival

Wikwemikog Unceded Indian Reserve, often referred to as Wiky, is located on a peninsula in the north-eastern section of Mannitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. As an “unceded” reserve, it has never relinquished the title to its land to the government, either by treaty or any other means. The reserve is the venue for the Wikwemikong Pow Wow, a cultural festival held annually during the first weekend of August. The event is attended by many aboriginal dancers who come from far and wide to compete in traditional dance and drum competitions. And not only aboriginals are welcome; many non-native people who have an interest in First Nation culture join in the celebrations. Wikwemikong is also the base of a professional theatre company, the De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group, which produces and stages plays set around the First Nation’s life and culture. The group was founded by Shirley Cheechoo, an award-winning, multi-talented actress, writer and visual artist from the North-American aboriginal Cree nation.

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