People’s Choice Award: Voting 

People’s Choice is an open-category accolade for the general public to recognize any program and its overall contribution to the Ontario Culture Days festival.

Anyone can vote for their favourite program (see the full list of nominees below). The program that receives the greatest number of votes will be awarded the Spotlight.

Voting is now open and will close Monday, Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST. 

Vote Here
Photo courtesy: City of Vaughan

Nomination 1:

City of Vaughan 
Sisters in Spirit Vigil at Vaughan City Hall

October 4 is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. To observe this, the City of Vaughan proclaimed Oct. 4 Sisters in Spirit Day and held a vigil to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people. 

This outdoor event featured Valarie King of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, who led the public vigil. She spoke to the history and importance of the day, how to take action, and more. The focus was providing a space to recognize and remember the missing and lost Indigenous lives, supporting grieving families, offering opportunities for healing and raising awareness. The vigil also highlighted the importance of reconciliation and cultural learnings.

Photo Credit: Margo Malboeuf

Nomination 2:

Le Conseil des arts Prescott Russell Arts Council (CAPRAC)
Let’s get Creative

On Sunday Sept. 25, local artists and artisans from all over Prescott and Russell hosted interactive booths at the Tuque de Broue Brewery and demonstrated their artistic practices to visitors. Visitors of all ages were welcome to participate in each artist’s booth and try their hand at the artistic practices of painting, engraving, bracelet making, and so much more

A local Franco-Ontarian musical group, Louis Racine et Les Pourquoi Pas, also performed in the afternoon and engaged with the audience through a variety of call and response songs.

Photo credit: Kyrstiana Bourdage

Nomination 3:

Art Gallery of Algoma & VIBE Arts
Feather Wrapping Workshop with Lucia Laford

On Friday Sept 30, Art Gallery of Algoma and VIBE Arts hosted a Feather Wrapping Workshop led by local Indigenous artist Lucia Laford (Waawaaskone Qwe). Lucia is an Anishinaabe artist from Sault Ste. Marie who is following in her father’s footsteps as she paints in a traditional Woodland style. 

The workshop was a drop-in event and encouraged participants of all ages to wrap a feather and learn about the significance of the feather and its teachings. On the day, more than 130 community members participated.

The program paired with the Gathering in Honour exhibition featuring Lucia Laford and her late father and local artist John Laford. These two events also  honoured the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation by recognizing the past and centring Indigenous culture and traditions.