In its fifth year, Celebration of Nations is more important than ever and perhaps its most significant achievement is the establishment of an innovative annual Indigenous cultural arts event held in an important and seminal region of the country.

“It is apropos that the front doors of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre open onto St. Paul Street, which follows the historic and ancient route known as the Iroquois Trail, the thoroughfare that channeled Indigenous leaders to and from this region for centuries,” said Artistic Producer Tim Johnson. “This year we seek to carry on the tradition of applying wisdom to the many challenges society faces while advancing the arts and humanities for the betterment of future generations.”

Celebration of Nations is an opportunity for local, national, and international visitors to actively participate in an inclusive and engaging community gathering that fosters a greater sense of belonging, support of meaningful reconciliation, and that engenders a lasting legacy of goodwill. The 2020 virtual edition attracted more than 36,000 viewers from across the globe.

Stay tuned for the 2021 Celebration of Nations Schedule, to be released this summer.

Landscape of Nations 360° creates, designs and implements educational and expressive arts programs that convey the meaning, depth, substance and contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canadian history and society. 

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is located downtown St. Catharines, Ontario on the shared traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Neutral Peoples and many other Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We offer our sincere gratitude and respect to the original and continued stewards of this land. We also acknowledge Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and 2SLGBTQQAI+ that have been marginalized for centuries and more – and our collective responsibility to take action for a better world free from oppression, discrimination and racism.