Gathering Festival of First Nations Stories

The Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories presented by Arts Orillia and hosted by Rama First Nation is a free, two-day, annual literary event held at the Rama Community Hall near Orillia, Ontario.

Arts Orillia enriches the cultural landscape of Orillia by programming diverse arts experiences that would otherwise not be seen in our region. Our focus is Youth! We are proud to support guest and local talent while fostering community inclusion.

Wednesday, May 20th

Indigenous Creative Spaces and Treaty Partner Gatherings
Creative Nomad Studios – 23 Mississaga Street West Orillia, ON
Time TBD

Arts and Cultural workers and stakeholders are invited to join Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan, Christine Friday and ArtsBuild Ontario for a working session dedicated to the intersection of allyship, Indigenous creative spaces, and self-determination. The session welcomes all arts organizations to rethink their organizational structures toward building relationships as allies and creating safe and enabling spaces rooted in Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.​​​

Walking Through The Fire (Film and Music)
Creative Nomad Studios
6:30pm
Tickets: $15 – cash at the door

6:30: Opening with Singer/Songwriter Jeff Monague

7:00: Introduction from Chris McKhool (Sultans of Swing) followed by film screening

Thursday, May 21st

Elementary Education Day

Danielle Big Canoe Snake, Librarian for the Rama First Nation, and Kate Hilliard, Artistic Director for Arts Orillia, are thrilled to partner with elementary teachers from the Simcoe County District School Board for a day of cultural learning with students in grades 4 and 5.

Friday, May 22nd

High School Education Day

The festival team is delighted to host guest authors and artists at Seven Fires, Twin Lakes Secondary, and Orillia Secondary. Students will meet and listen to the personal stories of our these tremendous artists to hear how they became professional writers and musicians.

Saturday, May 23rd

Public Gathering
Rama Community Hall – 5950 Rama Rd, Rama, ON L0K 1L0. 
9:30am – 4:30pm

  • 9:30 – 10:30 am:  Opening Prayer and Community Breakfast
  • 10:30 am:  Opening Welcome
  • 11:00 am:  Nancy Cooper
    • 5-minute pause 
  • 12:00 pm:  Angeline Boulley
  • 1:00 pm:  Lunch and Makers Market | food trucks on site
    • 5-minute pause 
  • 2:00 pm:  Language Revitalization: Jessica Shonias
  • 3:00 pm: – Monique Gray Smith
    • 5-minute pause 
  • 4:00 pm:  Reading and closing remarks with Sherry Lawson
  • 4:30 pm:  End