| SATURDAY September 19, 2026 | TIME 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM | LOCATION Guelph Lake Conservation Area Island Stage |
Welcome
Spend Powley Day with Métis citizens, families, friends and community partners. Enjoy live music, cultural demonstrations, hands-on activities, a vendor market, community connections and a shared BBQ lunch.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
- Park in the marked event parking area. Accessible parking is available near the event entrance.
- Check in at Registration to receive your event wristband and pre-registered lunch ticket. A wristband is required to participate in activities.
- Visit the Information Table for directions, activity details, lost and found, or assistance.
PLAN FOR THE DAY Please bring a refillable water bottle, weather-appropriate clothing, and a camp chair or blanket if you would like seating near the stage. Cash is recommended for the Vendor Market. This is a rain or shine event.
Main Stage Schedule
Times may shift slightly during this live community event. Listen for announcements and explore activities beyond the Main Stage throughout the day.
| TIME | PROGRAM |
|---|---|
| 10:00–10:10 | Opening Welcome and Prayer — Master of Ceremonies, Steve Neville, with Regional Councillor Kathleen Anderson and Senator Jean-Jacques Séguin |
| 10:10–10:40 | Nicolas Delbaere-Sawchuk, Adam Houle and Jordan Smith — First Set |
| 10:40–11:15 | Explore the Rendezvous — recorded music, demonstrations and Community Fire programming |
| 11:15–11:30 | SOLE 46 — Sophie, Owen, Liam and Everett |
| 11:30–12:00 | Special Guest Remarks — MNO President Margaret Froh and Regional Councillor Mitch Case |
| 12:00–1:00 | BBQ Lunch — Elders invited first; activities and demonstrations pause |
| 1:00–1:30 | Nicolas, Adam and Jordan — Second Set |
| 1:35–1:50 | Jack Wiens – Long, Long ago Alexa Wiens – Classical songs on the harp Braxton Wiens – Johnny B Good and Red River Jig |
| 1:50–2:15 | Explore the Rendezvous — demonstrations and Community Fire programming |
| 2:15–2:45 | Nicolas, Adam and Jordan — Third Set |
| 2:50–3:15 | Zamion — Performance Set |
| 3:20–3:25 | Spoon Players with Fiddler Braxton |
| 3:25–3:30 | Animal Calling Championship and Fishing Casting Winners |
| 3:30–3:35 | Final Acknowledgements, Contest Winners and Closing Prayer |
| 3:35–4:00 | Final Activity and Vendor Window; event closes at 4:00 PM | Final Goodbye |
Activities and Demonstrations
| TIME | PROGRAM |
|---|---|
| 10:00–2:00 | Beaver Skinning and Fleshing Demonstration — Brian Moore |
| 10:00–12:00 | Archery, Axe Throwing and Fire Starting — Barefoot Bushcraft |
| 10:30–3:30 | Canoeing — all ages; equipment, life jackets and instruction provided |
| 10:50–11:20 | Fish Processing Demonstration — Jim Tolles |
| 11:00–12:00 | Pom-pom Making from Fur — Councillor Philip Beauvais |
| 12:00–1:00 | Activity and demonstration pause for lunch |
| 1:00–4:00 | Archery, Axe Throwing and Fire Starting — Barefoot Bushcraft |
| 2:30–3:30 | Fur and Leather Working Demonstration — Councillor Philip Beauvais |
Community Fire Schedule
| TIME | PROGRAM |
|---|---|
| 10:50–11:00 | True or False — Powley Day, Métis culture and harvesting knowledge with the Way of Life Team |
| 1:50–2:20 | Animal Calling with Regional Councillor Kathleen Anderson |
| 2:30–3:00 | Learn to Play the Spoons with Senator Nancy Bouchier |
| 3:00–3:10 | Spoon practice with live fiddler Braxton before the Main Stage performance |
Available Throughout the Day
- Niagara Region’s Métis Encampment and bannock-making by campfire — sessions begin at 10:00 AM; last session begins at 1:30 PM.
- South West’s Captain of the Hunt Liaison, Jim Tolles, will have his harvesting display and games available — stop by to explore the display, ask questions, and play some harvester games.
- MNO Way of Life games — casting, tracking skills, waterfowl identification and more for all ages.
- Historic Community Connection & Fire — learn stories from your community
- Canoe restoration display with Tom Moore — discussion with hands-on elements.
- Children’s Corner for ages 0–12, featuring bubbles, games and family fun.
- Community Fire hosted by Clear Water Métis Council’s Phil Beauvais — gather, visit, learn and roast marshmallows between scheduled programs.
Explore Connect and Gather
HISTORIC COMMUNITY CONNECTION AND FIRE
New this year, we are introducing, Historic Community Connection & Fire, a space reserved for you to learn more about your historic community! (#20 on the map!) Connect with others, share family stories and explore resources for genealogy and learning. MNO & Ontario Métis Facts interpreters will share information about Connections Westward, Rainy River and Lake of the Woods, Northern Lake Superior, Abitibi Inland, Mattawa, Killarney, Sault Ste. Marie and Georgian Bay. Be sure to stop by to add a leaf the Regional Tree to help preserve community stories.
Supporting this station are the MNO Registry, Ontario Métis Facts and the Self-Government Team. Stop by the Registry table (in the picnic shelter) to customize and receive an “I trace to…” sticker with your family connection to proudly share your ancestry and connect with potential relatives at the Rendezvous! Stop by the Ontario Métis Facts table (under the shelter as well) for more community resources and activities and don’t forget to stop by the Self-Government table to learn about our Self-Government journey so far, pick up resources, and hear important updates!
VENDORS SERVICES AND FOOD
- Vendor Market — 27 vendors in the pavilion and adjacent grassy area, open 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Cash is recommended. (Vendor Market list is available below.)
- MNO departments and community partners — visit the pavilion for Registry, Self-Government, Community Relations, Ontario Métis Facts, Métis Infinity Investments and other resources.
| Inside Picnic Shelter | Inside Picnic Shelter | Outside Shelter in Grassy Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bone & Quill | Thistle and Co. Beading | Maxy Way Indigenous Designs |
| Makwa Beads and More | Shelly Claus (Beadwork) | Three Feathers |
| Mystic Mae Creations | Weaving Wellness Centre | Cynthia McDermott |
| Florio Family Sugarbush | Auston’s Magnet Kingdom | MNO Great Lakes Advisory Group |
| Unique’s Boutique | Grand River Métis Council Store | Faerie Moon |
| Burnside Baits and Crafts | Clear Waters Métis Council Store | Lunar Xpressions |
| Endless Sky Creations | MNO Registry | Rick Desjardins (Handmade crafts) |
| Métis Infinity Investments | MNO Self-Government | Waterloo Regional Cancer Program |
| Métis Expression | MNO Community Relations | |
| Tolles Training Traps | Ontario Métis Facts |
- BBQ lunch — 12:00–1:00 PM near the pavilion. Bring your lunch ticket; Elders are invited to the line first. Picnic tables are nearby.
- Kanoo Coffee/tea will be available at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
- Hydration — filtered water is available at the touchless refill station. Bring your reusable bottle.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Washrooms and handwashing: portable toilets, an accessible unit and a sink station are behind the Main Stage; vault toilets are also available on the island.
- First Aid: the Medic Station is behind the Island Stage, past the Community Fire.
- Lost items or separated children: go to the Information Table. Children may approach any team member wearing a dark purple event T-shirt for help.
- Smoking is not permitted on beach sand, near playgrounds, inside buildings or in pavilions.
- Please use the waste and recycling bins, take care of the land and travel safely.
Event Map
A larger Event Map is also available here.
Questions?
Email us at: SouthWestR@metisnation.org
Maarsii for celebrating Powley Day with us!
South West Region Councils
The South West Region includes four Métis community councils serving citizens across southwestern Ontario. Visit each council’s page to learn more about local programs, events, and leadership.
