Ottawa’s Indigenous community has a new place to gather at Madahoki Farm.
Formerly called "Lone Star Ranch," Madahoki Farm is nestled in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. It was acquired in October by Indigenous Experiences. “Madahoki” is an Algonquin Anishinaabe word meaning “to share the land.”
Madahoki Farm aims to educate visitors about the tragic history of the treatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada, but also to share the joy and wisdom of Indigenous culture with guests. Photo by Sandy Sharkey.
The farm is also home to an Indigenous marketplace, which features about 30 Indigenous makers, artisans and creatives. According to Tina Mather-Simard, executive director of Indigenous Experiences, there will be a wide variety of wares for sale at the marketplace.
“We have artisans selling honey, syrup, fish, candles, beadwork, quiltwork,” said Mather-Simard. “We have just a huge variety of Indigenous makers.”
Indigenous Experiences has over 25 years of “presenting Indigenous Peoples culture, history, food and arts to mainstream audiences” in Ottawa. They’re the company behind Ottawa’s annual Summer Solstice Festival. Traditionally held at Vincent Massey Park, the three-day festival will now be hosted at the farm, along with other seasonal celebrations.
In mid-October, the farm hosted a traditional autumn festival called Tagwagi. Participants from all cultural backgrounds were invited to “reconnect with the land while learning about Indigenous traditions.” The event, the first in a series of planned cultural celebrations, featured educational workshops, live entertainment, and traditional Indigenous food such as corn soup and bannock.
“We just had our Tagwagi festival, and now we’re planning our Pibon festival,” said Mather-Simard. “As soon as we can, we want to welcome people back.”
The Pibon, or winter, festival is set to take place from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5. Visitors can expect live entertainment, including a comedy show.
Also featured at Madahoki Farm are the rare Ojibwe spirit ponies, members of an endangered species who now call the farm home.
Madahoki Farm is home to several rare and endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses. The horses are believed to be the only breed cultivated by Indigenous peoples in Canada. Photo by Sandy Sharkey.
“We have acquired four, with one more coming shortly from Alberta,” said Mather-Simard. “They’re a rare and endangered breed of horse, they were wild in these lands.”
The Ojibwe spirit horse, a small, pony-like animal, is widely believed to have been the only breed of horse cultivated by the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Pre-colonization, they were seen in abundance in parts of Ontario and northern Minnesota.
In addition to the Madahoki Farm marketplace, their website features a virtual marketplace where buyers can peruse and purchase authentic Indigenous-made items.
Madahoki Farm is located at 4420 West Hunt Club Rd. and offers free entry to visitors.
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