5 highlights on the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival schedule

As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many festivals to move their events online, the Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is working with Indigenous artists, chefs, performers, educators and community members to provide virtual programming throughout the month of June.

From June 1 to 21, the onlineedition will focus on learning more about Indigenous cultures, connecting with the Indigenous community and traditional knowledge keepers, as well as showcasing talented Indigenous craftmakers and artists.

CBC Ottawa is proud to partner with the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. This year's lineup is packed with virtualfamily-friendly, educational and entertaining events.

Here are five highlights you won't want to miss.

Mtis fish scale art | June 6from 2to 4p.m.

Using the fishing net is a metaphor for repairing the relationship between father, daughter and grandchildren in the face of many tragedies. Jaime Morse, her dad, Randy Mercier, and her children find ways to connect over fish scale artwork.

Click here to sign up and to find out more about the other arts and crafts workshops on the schedule.

Culinary workshop with Chef Cezin| June 7 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Inspired by her ancestry and long line of strong Anishinabe First Nation women, and by her Kokom's simple recipes, Marie-Cecile Kakgoosh Nottaway-Wawatie, otherwise known as Chef Cezin, offers contemporary cuisine and traditional Algonquin food. You can learn from Cezin in this unique workshop.

• Web series explores path to reconciliation through Indigenous cuisine

Chef Trudy Metcalfe-Coe is also offering a culinary workshop on June 12. Click here for details.

'Feel the Heartbeat' stomp & make your own rattle workshop| June 16from 11to 11:45 a.m.

Create your own rattles at home with David Finkle. A rattle can be made using material found around the home. David is a project facilitator known for histraditional drum and rattle building workshops and historical presentations. A 25-minute interactive "Feel the Heartbeat" workshop will follow. The Indigenous Experiences team will help you use your new rattle to follow along with an interactive stomp dance. Students will be provided with a list of materials they can collect before the teaching so they are ready.

There are several workshops planned as part of the festival's Education Days programming. Click here for more information.

Social Distance Powwow | June 19to 21

You can watch the vibrancy and energy of the Competition Powwow featuring singers and dancers from across North America. The festival has partnered with Social Distance Powwow on Facebook to bring this very special competition online.

• WATCH |What does a virtual Powwow look like? Find out in thisoriginal video from CBC Indigenous
• LISTEN |Virtual powows connect Indigenous communities during pandemic

Click herefor more information about this event.

Celebration Stage performances | June 1 to 21

Tune into live-streamed concerts featuring both local/emerging talent and award-winning Canadian musicians. The lineup includes Ottawa's own Cody Coyote, Jah'kotaand Amanda Rheaume, as well as Silla & Rise, Twin Flames and more!

Click here for the updated schedule.