The Mikinàk Ceremonial Lodge is an Indigenous gathering space located on the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. It is a place for Indigenous Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees and community members to come together, exchange ideas and perform traditional ceremonies.
It offers a teaching and learning environment that focuses on sharing Indigenous knowledge and lived experiences with Indigenous and non-Indigenous public servants. The Lodge also welcomes members of the public who wish to learn more about Indigenous cultures.
The Lodge is named “Mikinàk” (pronounced Mee-kee-nak), the Anishinaabe word for “turtle”, which is a sacred animal that represents “truth” to many Nations. In the context of the Mikinàk Lodge, which is located on Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory, the turtle carries the Anishinaabeg Grandfather Teaching of “Truth”. The Lodge is therefore a place where we speak about and acknowledge the “Truths” of our shared histories, which is a requirement of Reconciliation.
The Indigenous Network Circle (INC) at AAFC has spearheaded the making of the Lodge, with great support from other Indigenous employees and communities, as well as departmental officials.
“It’s a beginning point for something greater” — Orlando Blacksmith, INC co-chair.
Interior
The design of the Lodge combines cultural elements and art work of the 3 Indigenous groups: First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit.
At the heart of the Lodge, is a large main gathering room for visitors to get together and connect as a community. This is also a dedicated space for smudging ceremonies and it is home to a Qulliq Oil Lamp, which is used by the Inuit Peoples to keep their homes warm.
This traditional tool is made out of soapstone and is fueled by blubber from seals and whales to burn wicks made out of arctic cotton grass.
Main gathering room (circular in shape).
About the artists
Live in Your Truth by Miskomin Twenish
Algonquin (First Nations)
Miskomin Twenish is a self-taught Algonquin artist from Kitigan Zibi. Her artistic journey started in 2015 and has been in love with creating ever since, she has been working primarily with Acrylic paint on canvas and digital illustration. Her artwork is heavily influenced by Traditional Woodlands style which usually involves line work, animals, flowers and can also be inspired by her culture/traditions as well as ongoing Indigenous issues/movements.
This artwork was created to represent living in your truth and how important it is to embrace it. In our teachings, the turtle carries truth. Truth is one of the 7 grandfather teachings. When you are living in your truth, you also live by the other grandfather teachings because they are connected and one cannot exist without the other. By doing so, it will allow you to flourish inward and outward because you are honest with yourself.
Untitled by Gayle Uyagaqi-Kabloona
Inuk
Gayle is a multidisciplinary artist and writer from Ottawa, ON, who creates ceramics, prints, graphic art, wall-hangings, knitwear and more. Gayle’s work is inspired by the art of her grandmother, Victoria Mamnguqsualuk, and the colours and bold shapes of her great-grandmother, Jessie Oonark, and often incorporates traditional Inuit stories told through a modern, feminist lens
“I used the Inuit views on knowledge transfer in my graphic: observation, learning by doing, traditional tools (qulliq) with a river from my homeland to represent skill acquisition and knowledge of environment. The little dots are representative of people and they're "sewn" in, which is another skill that is learned by being together.”
Coexisting in Harmony by JD Hawk
Metis
JD was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. JD specializes in oil paintings. His artwork reflects his love of the outdoors, people and connection to his Métis heritage. He has been commissioned nationally and internationally, with collectors worldwide, including Parks Canada, Canada Games 2022, and the Manitoba Métis Federation.
“It was important for me to show peace and harmony that come with taking care of our plants and animals. The blue sky represents water. The yellow dress represents the sun. In between, we have the land and animals we must take care of. The bison is facing East as a reminder that is where the storm (colonization) came from and we persevered. The Sash is not just a decorative piece, it was used as a tool. The colour tells a story of the journey the Métis people have been on. The hat is a symbol of protecting the knowledge that comes with being responsible. The infinity symbol is that of two cultures coming together to create one.”
Exterior
The Healing Garden surrounds the Mikinàk Ceremonial Lodge. This garden, which will take a few years to complete, will be home to traditional medicines such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass, willow fungus and other traditional medicines for users’ personal or ceremonial use.
INC and Indigenous community members during the inauguration of the Mikinàk Ceremonial Lodge in September 2022.
Close up of the garden
Contact
For more information on the Mikinàk Ceremonial Lodge, to book a tour or to request guidance on hosting an Indigenous learning activity, please contact the Indigenous Support and Awareness Office at aafc.isao-bssa.aac@agr.gc.ca.
Features
An important step towards reconciliation