MOA Annual Maple Harvest Festival
Journey with us to the Museum of Ontario Archaeology in London, ON for the annual Maple Harvest Festival – Sat., 16 March, 2019 10am-4pm.
We celebrate the awakening of the forest and the first harvest of the year. This is a festive time, marking an end to hunger and darkness as we welcome the return of light, life and nourishment from the land around us! First Nations Elders, Mary-Lou & Dan Smoke, will conduct a sweet water blessing, thanking the trees for their nourishing gift.
Gathering this sweet sap is a centuries old Indigenous tradition – and while most are familiar with the syrup that has become a Canadian symbol, many do not realize the health benefits of the sap itself. Often referred to as “Maple Water”, the sap naturally contains more than 46 bioactive nutrients essential to health, including phytonutrients, minerals, active antioxidants, electrolytes, amino and organic acids; good for your heart, strengthens your immune system, perfect hydration and full of vitamins & minerals!
Activities will be held both indoors and out. Indigenous Elders will share their knowledge of these traditions, experience a tree blessing and awakening ceremony, traditional tapping of a Maple tree, storytelling, hot rock cooking. Inside the museum explore the maple exhibition, Cultural Craft Vendors and family activities. Maple goods for sale in the Gift Shop and raffle tickets for a gift basket! At this special event, a $2 donation gains you entry to the Museum and all the activities (with the exception of the new VR Experience).
- Traditional blessing ceremony with Dan and Mary Lou Smoke
- Tree tapping with Russ Howe, Kinsmen Sugar Bush
- Experimental archaeology: maple processing over the fire
- Maple-related artifact exhibit
- Penny Sale raffles on a wide array of gift items
- Indigenous crafts & products for sale
- Maple products and other treats including Dot’s fresh mini donuts
- Tacos, fry bread, maple and more by Indigenous Chef Mike Beachey
[su_quote style=”wood”]sinsibuckwud (Algonkin), ziinzibaakwadaaboo or wiishkobaaboo (Ojibwe), wáhta (Oneida/Mohawk), sismo’qonapu (Mi’kmaq), čháŋhaŋpi (Lakota), orända’ (Wendat), sisibaskwattick (Cree)[/su_quote]
The Museum is also the location of one of our favourite Pow Wow gatherings (3rd weekend in Sept., inside the recreated Chonnonton Village) and they work closely with the Indigenous community to bring Culture, History and Science together.
The Museum of Ontario Archaeology is located just behind a quiet residential area near Wonderland Road and Fanshawe Park Road in London, Ontario.
1600 Attawandaron Rd., London ON (MAP)
Regular admission applies:
- $5.00 Adult
- $4.00 Senior/Student
- $3.00 child (5-12)
- $12.00 family rate
- Under 5 – Free
