The city of Sudbury, Ontario is just a four-hour drive north of the GTA and home to a diverse array of Indigenous businesses and events. Located on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and including the traditional lands of the Wahnapitae First Nation, the region's largest city is full of opportunities to experience Indigenous cuisine, art, and culture.
Here are five ways to experience Indigenous culture in Sudbury, Ontario.
For Indigenous food, stop by Hiawatha’s Restaurant in Wahnapitae First Nation to enjoy a delicious meal using traditional ingredients, with a stunning view over Wanapitei Lake. Chef and owner Hiawatha Osawamick’s menu has Indigenous elements and a focus on local Anishinabek and seasonal ingredients wherever possible, like the fish tacos, made with pickerel from the lake. Other popular menu options to try are elk meatballs with wild rice, smoked duck breast, and baked bannock with maple butter. And for those who want to stay a little longer, there are 5 cabins on site. Please contact Hiawatha’s for availability.
For a tasty sweet treat head to award-winning Indigenous chocolate shop Raven Rising. Here, you will find handcrafted gourmet artisan chocolates incorporating local Indigenous ingredients such as red harry skunk current, alder catkins and wild bergamot. Created by Red Seal Journeyman pastry chef Tammy Maki, a Nakota Sioux/Saulteaux Ojibwe kwe from White Bear First Nation, Raven Rising is a reflection of Chef Maki’s journey to find her Indigenous heritage. She uses ingredients that are significant to First Nations peoples to create her one-of-a-kind chocolates, and sources ingredients from Indigenous people and businesses in Canada and around the world. Order online or visit the brick-and-mortar store located at 66 Cedar St, Greater Sudbury. The shop is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am - 2 pm.
On June 21, celebrate National Indigenous Day by attending N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre’s National Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow. This annual Pow Wow held at Bell Park is a public event that welcomes everyone and begins with the Grand Entry at 11 am. Join the community in celebrating Indigenous culture and experience traditional dancing, food and craft vendors.
If this is your first time attending a Pow Wow, or you’re curious to learn more, this visitor’s guide is an excellent starting point.
Explore and marvel at the vastness of the universe by taking a walk along the Sudbury Solar System Path (Giizhigoong Etegin Miikaanah). This outdoor exhibit is a scale model of the solar system that stretches across Jim Gordon Boardwalk, along the shore of Ramsey Lake (Bitimagamasing) in Bell Park. The starting point is the Sun on the lakeshore beside Science North. Along the 2km path, each of the planets are represented by a sign with a scaled graphic and information about the planet. The exhibit includes Indigenous knowledge and is translated into Anishinaabemowin as well as French.
Science North is working with an Anishinaabemwid (one who speaks Anishinaabemowin) from Adikamegshiing (Atikameksheng) to provide the information on this signage in Anishinaabemowin.
Try your hand at making your own scon or bannock bread with NISH Scon. Created by Atikameksheng Anishnawbek’s Pam Naponse-Corbiere, the pre-packaged scon and bannock mix is based on her own experience and a family recipe passed down through generations. NISH Scon makes it easy and convenient to make this traditional food for everyone–just add water. The NISH brand also includes NISH crisp and NISH seasonings for fish, tacos, potatoes, and hamburgers.
All NISH products are made, produced and packaged in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek by local community members, and can be found in local stores as well as on the NISH website.
There's lots more to see and experience in the city of Sudbury. Visit Sudbury Tourism to learn more and plan your trip.
