Held annually on the second weekend of June, the Festival celebrates music, performing arts, and diversity, while upholding values of reconciliation, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This year’s 47th edition featured stirring performances by JUNO Award-winning headliner, Tom Wilson, a Mohawk from Kahnawake, and captivating storytelling by Anishinaabe Grandmother Kim Wheatley. Their stories sparked curiosity and conversations about Indigenous histories and cultures.
In furtherance of this dialogue and in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Festival will host an Indigenous Cultural Gathering on October 5th at the Main St. Markham Farmers’ Market. Recognizing that the Festival coincides with National Indigenous History Month, we are excited to commission a temporary public art project to be displayed at various locations throughout Markham Village. This initiative aims to continue celebrating and acknowledging Indigenous cultures within our community.
Indigenous Legacy Art Project
With the financial assistance from MyMainStreet, the Markham Village Music Festival was able to honor the spirit of Truth & Reconciliation, while celebrating Indigenous cultures and fostering connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members.
We are pleased to announce that Indigenous artist, Naomi Peters, was chosen to create art that has been made into pole banners. You can see these banners on Main Street Markham just south of Highway 7 on the east side.