Beandigen Cafe
Beandigen Café is an Indigenous cafe located in TD Place at Lansdowne in the Glebe. The cafe is owned and operated by Paula Naponse and her daughter Jayde, who are from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation (Beandigen n.d.). Their business started out as a pop-up after winning a proposal competition in 2021 but has since become a permanent installation (Malina 2021). Beandigen Café was conceived as a “safe space for Indigenous folks to foster community” and for non-Indigenous people to “learn about and engage with Indigenous culture” (Malina 2021). The name “beandigen” is derived from “biindigen,” meaning “welcome” in Anishinaabemowin (Beandigen n.d.). In addition to coffee and specialty drinks, the cafe also offers pastries, including Bannock, a traditional staple bread made according to the owners’ family recipe (Beandigen n.d.) The has a retail space which hosts owner Paula’s other small business, Ondarez Clothing and Goods, as well as offerings made by other Indigenous creators and artists. The cafe also has space for workshops and events, including regular beading circles (Ottawa Tourism).
Indigenous Peoples Space
The Indigenous Peoples Space is a national space for First Nations, Métis and Inuit leadership, governance and culture. It is the first building of its kind in the Parliamentary precinct, symbolizing nation-to-nation relations. Although the building’s redevelopment will take up to a decade, the interior is now complete and open to the public for the short-term. The first floor is a public exhibit for visitors, divided between First Nations, Métis and Inuit rooms with displays showcasing their respective histories, cultures and governance models. The second floor is a space for Indigenous leadership to hold meetings and events. From 1931 to 1999, 100 Wellington Street served as the first United States Embassy. It remained vacant for over 20 years until 2017, when the federal government announced that it would become a space dedicated to Indigenous Peoples. The project was initially subject to some controversy due to the federal government’s lack of consultation with Indigenous communities in deciding the project, as well as the building’s colonial architecture (Canadian Architect 2017). The Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation fought to be included in the project as an equal partner alongside the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, securing a dedicated Algonquin space at 119 Sparks Street. Check out the schematic model created in collaboration with a team of Indigenous architects which will guide the long-term vision for the Indigenous Peoples Space here.
National Aboriginal Veterans Monument
Across from Lord Elgin Hotel in Confederation Park, this monument commemorates the contributions of Indigenous Veterans in Canada during the First World War, Second World War and Korean War and subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping missions. The monument was sculpted by Noel Loyd Pinay of the Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan. He was commissioned by the Canadian Aboriginal Veterans and Serving Members Association to create the piece. Pinay was inspired by his father, a veteran of the Second World War who was gravely injured. Pinay wanted to bring attention to the contributions of Indigenous veterans like his father who he saw as forgotten. The sculpture is made of bronze with a brown patina and is set on a base of diamond brown stone. The four warriors symbolize the diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. The sculpture features four sacred spirit animals at the bottom: a bear, wolf, buffalo, and elk. The golden eagle at the top represents the thunderbird, a symbol of the Creator. The opposites in the piece show balance: two predators and two prey, two women and two men, two weapons and two spiritual objects. This conveys Pinay’s view that “peace often lies at the root of war” (Veterans Affairs Canada 2025) More than 4,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit people served in the First World War, and more than 3,000 served in the Second World War. Indigenous people enlisted for a variety of reasons, such as seeking employment, following family tradition, or wanting adventure (Veterans Affairs Canada 2025). At home, Indigenous people faced continued encroachment on their lands, discrimination on reserve, assimilationist policies and the residential school system. Many hoped their service and sacrifice would improve their rights in Canada, but Indigenous veterans did not receive the benefits of non-Indigenous veterans. Under the Indian Act, Indigenous veterans could not receive their pensions, grants and benefits (Veterans Affairs Canada 2025). Despite the challenges they faced, Indigenous veterans have made remarkable contributions, many receiving decorations for bravery.
Adaawewigamig
Located in the Byward Market, Adaawewigamig is an Indigenous social enterprise, the first of its kind in the market (Adaawewigamig n.d.). The name “Adaawewigamig” means “place of selling or trading” in Anishnaabemowin (Assembly of Seven Generations n.d.). The storefront was opened in 2022 by the Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G), a grassroots, Indigenous youth-led non-profit organization focused on Indigenous youth (Assembly of Seven Generations, n.d.). The store is a part of the “community, land based and advocacy work” of the A7G as the proceeds contribute to supporting “Indigenous artists, businesses, and youth.” (Adaawewigamig n.d.). Adaawewigamig hosts clothing, accessories, cosmetics and foodstuffs by Indigenous businesses and artists, such as Kokom scrunchies, Mohawk Soda Company, Jillian Waterman and many others. In their community space, they hold workshops for Indigenous youth covering a range of crafts (Adaawewigamig n.d.). The store also hosts occasional special events, including fashion shows, performances and markets.
Kìwekì Point
Kìwekì Point is a park overlooking Parliament and Kichi Sibi, the Ottawa River. Originally called Nepean Point since it opened in the 19th century, the park just reopened this year after a major redevelopment by the National Capital Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the Algonquin Nation, particularly the Kitigan Zibi and Pikwanagan Nations (National Capital Comission 2025). Algonquins have used Kìwekì Point and the banks of the Ottawa River for thousands of years for camping, harvesting and winter preparation, gatherings, cultural exchanges and ceremonies, and portage routes (National Capital Comission n.d.). The point appeared on various maps created by early settlers in the 17th century. The name “Kìwekì” means “returning to one’s homeland” in Anishinaabemowin. The name was chosen in partnership with the Algonquin communities. The approach for the redevelopment of Kìwekì Point was worked out in sessions with the Algonquin Nation to convey the importance of the Ottawa River as a place of travel and trade. The Samuel de Champlain Statue has been relocated to the middle of the park set into the landscape to depict him as an explorer, and the statue of Kichi Zibi Innini (Great River Man), formerly known as the Anishnaabe Scout, was moved to the Perimeter Trail to overlook the convergence of the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau Rivers (National Capital Commission 2025). The Ha-Ha landscape includes layered metal animal depictions creaated by an Algonquin artist (National Capital Comission n.d.).
