Frank Polson, Blue Moon, From the 13 Grand-Mother Moons Exhibition © Courtesy of Sacred Fire Productions
“Fire is sacred to many Indigenous nations across Turtle Island and represents spirit,” says Wendy Phillips, Elder, Vice President of Sacred Fire Productions, and a proud member of the Wasauksing First Nation. “Our spirit is sacred. Our spirit comes alive through the arts. Indigenous arts are sacred to our people—beyond voice, body, or mind—it’s a spiritual vibration that transcends this world.”
Since 2012, Sacred Fire Productions has embodied this belief, serving as a living bridge between Indigenous artists and the wider world. Based in Old Montreal, this not-for-profit Indigenous arts organization and registered charity has created spaces where stories, voices, and creativity flourish.
Its mission is simple yet powerful: to bring Indigenous art and voices to the forefront, fostering dialogue, intercultural understanding, and economic empowerment. By showcasing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures through exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events, Sacred Fire Productions strengthens the cultural ecosystem while addressing the socioeconomic challenges Indigenous artists face. Integrity, resilience, and respect for artists as cultural leaders remain at its heart.
The works presented are more than art; they are living expressions of history, identity, and resilience. Through Sacred Fire Productions, artists gain visibility and a platform for their voices, allowing exhibitions to become milestones of cultural recognition.
One powerful example is the work of Anishinaabe artist Frank Polson. His monumental Thirteen Grandmother Moons, rooted in Anishinaabe teachings, was first shared with audiences through Sacred Fire Productions and is now being acquired by the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. This milestone ensures generations to come will encounter these teachings in one of Canada’s most important cultural institutions.
“This is an achievement that honours the artist, the story, and the cultural legacy it represents,” says Ka’nahsohon Deer, Mohawk spiritual leader of the Walking Clay Clan and President of Sacred Fire Productions.
A New Chapter in Old Montreal
In September 2025, the organization began a new chapter with the relocation of its Cultural Space in the heart of Old Montreal at 43 rue des Sœurs-Grises. This vibrant hub for Indigenous arts, culture, and economic reconciliation will feature rotating exhibitions every three months and a boutique showcasing Indigenous artisans and traditional practitioners.
Each year, the space comes alive on September 21st for Skennen’kó:wa Peace Days, welcoming the public to interactive workshops and cultural events. Open year-round, the Cultural Space is also available to corporate Canada, institutions, and community partners for cultural gatherings, private receptions, and conferences—a unique setting where business and culture meet.
“By uniting Indigenous voices and celebrating their resilience,” concludes Ka’nahsohon Deer, “we ensure the fire will keep burning, carrying forward the stories, teachings, and dreams of generations to come. In our Mohawk language, our word for family, kahwa:tsire, has the root word o:tsire… we are all related in the Sacred Hoop of life.”
Learn more at sacredfireproductions.ca
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The mission of Sacred Fire Productions is to establish bridges between Indigenous artists and audiences of all ages and backgrounds, including in urban areas, so that these artists can assert themselves, develop and better live from their art.