duck tour lake hamilton

Hot Springs only land and water tour!

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It's not just a Tour, it's an Adventure!

"why walk when you can waddle".

Join us on one of the oldest, most unique tours of Hot Springs National Park. Learn how a rough frontier town became the elegant Spa City centered on a row of attractive Victorian-style bathhouses. The bathhouses were a common hang out during the Gangster Era. Gangsters like Al Capone, Frank Costello, Bugs Moran, Lucky Luciano were among the many to frequent beautiful Hot Springs, AR. 

About the Tour

On the tour you will take a ride aboard an amphibious World War II DUKW. The tour is approximately 75 minutes long, the land tour will take you around the famous bathhouse row and other historic sites along the way to beautiful Lake Hamilton. While on the water portion of the tour you will take a trip around St. John's Island where you are able to see other historic landmarks.

Safety First!

Your "Quacky Captain" will entertain, educate and humor you in a way found only on a Hot Springs National Park Duck Ride. 

All of our Ducks are inspected and approved by the US Coast Guard and your Captain holds a Master Captains' license issued by the US Coast Guard. 

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We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.

National Park Duck Tours

418 Central Avenue, Hot Springs National, Arkansas 71901, United States

(501) 520-1242

Hot Springs Only 5D Virtual Experience

Have an adventure of a lifetime without leaving your chair - or the air conditioning!  Located at 418 Central Ave in the Duck Tour ticket office.   

Family Reunions, Parties, Weddings, Field Trips we charter them all!

Our ducks are available for birthday parties, church/school functions, senior citizens groups or your own private charter. 

We love our customers, so feel free to call or visit during normal business hours.  501-321-2911

418 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901, United States

(501) 624 - DUCK or 501-3212911

Copyright © 2024 National Park Duck Tours - All Rights Reserved.

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Review Highlights

“ I really wish I could remember our guide's name (I think he said Captain America ), but we had a great time. ” in 5 reviews

“ He did his own research on the city itself and the background of everything that came through that city of Hot Springs . ” in 17 reviews

“ Red had plenty of local facts and trivia to make the ride more than just a ride across the lake , facts about the Duck itself. ” in 15 reviews

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Overall rating

Our tour guide was Tammy, right away she was full of corny jokes. She did a great job sharing information about the area and highlights. The water portion of the ride was our favorite as it was cooler. The homes along the lake were beautiful. This is a great option to hear insight and also save your legs if you cannot walk much. The total ride was an hour and 20 minutes. It was worth it for us!

Don't waste your time on this tour. Our "captain" seemed to know little about the hot springs. He mentioned that a few bath houses might be open and others were restaurants. That's it. The rest of the 2hr tour took us to Walmart, to many fast food chains and his favorite, Waffle House. He also recommended a bank with a good ATM so we could tip him. Most of the time when he wasn't coughing in the mike, he was just reading signs off the side of the road??? The boat part was fun, so at least 2 stars. I did learn that rich people buy houses on the water. I guess some local history?? Anyway, we felt it was a waste of our time and money.

It's not a tour...it's a scam u get in this tin boat and they take u down the main drag and talk about Walmart, cheap gas at Sam's club, the Olive Garden, look there's a hobby lobby, it was the most bizarre experience. And some people who bought houses on the lake... how is this a thing....

We were told we'd hear a lot about the history of Hot Springs and we'd go through the national park but we didn't get any of that. The tour bus operator instead hawked businesses and quacked lousy jokes. On Lake Hamilton, we went by a couple of big homes with a little history on them. All in all, it wasn't worth the $30 pp we paid.

WARNING! This tour is by far THE WORST TOUR I have ever been on in my life! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY! Our tour guide driver hacked and coughed in his microphone throughout the entire "tour" driving down Central Avenue. No history given of Hot Springs was given - instead it seems he was "hawking" businesses and restaurants along the route to Lake Hamilton - simply pointing to various restaurants that he admitted he had never eaten at, the SUPER WalMart store, the Hobby Lobby, several Tattoo Shops, a drive in bank in case you need more cash to tip your Tour Guide", the MANY car dealerships, the T-Rex amusement center that looked empty, the pool hall and bowling alley, several car repair shops, etc. We were appalled at some of the comments he made followed by his "quack quack" with more hacking and coughing into his microphone. When we reached Lake Hamilton he introduced us to the "real Captain" of the boat (Coast Guard Certified) who would continue the Lake Hamilton tour which consisted of driving past the boat docks and the back views of rich folks' fancy lake houses. Our Captain spoke so fast and in such a monotone voice we could barely make out what he was saying. To his credit, he pointed out the "Hamilton House" and gave a one minute history lesson on the history of this home - if only we could have understood him - it was that garbled. I had to give this a ONE STAR simply because there are is not a ZERO STAR. Shame on the National Park Duck Tour company for scamming the tourists who visit Hot Springs! In short, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY and TIME on this pitiful excuse of a "tour". The one and only positive thing I can say is that that $30.00 quack whistle is priceless - all the kids "quack" their way through the tour - which is better than listening to the "quacky" driver!

The duck boat tour was just great. You ride in a WWII land and water amphibian boat all around the surrounding lakes. The tour guides knew everything about the area and tried their own comedic skits. The young lady trying to sell the tickets and gain attention to the attraction was really nice and really sweet. We never once felt afraid of going from from water to land. Our driver and Aka, the Captain and his First Officer were both United States Coast Guard, trained, licensed and certified to conduct the tour. A great time for anyone! Oh yeah! Don't forget your duck whistle!

Duck boat tour in St. Louis in a WWII amphibian boat. It's a must tour for sure. The boat drivers are a crack up

Very bad service with rude staff. The staff said the tour will start at 12:30, and then they won't leave until 1pm. When we asked what time they will leave, they yelled at us & said we had to wait. Never use this service again. Not recommended at all.

This tour was super weird. It was cold and raining, and the tour bus lacked both roof and window, so we were wet and cold for two hours. I'm pretty sure our tour guide had lived in Arkansas for all of 5 seconds before giving this tour. We got to enjoy the dulcet tones of him open-mouth coughing into the microphone as well. Expecting a tour of Hot Springs, we were disappointed to immediately leave the town and drive through major roads and traffic to get to the lake. Our tour guide pointed out the Walmart, Waffle House, every single casino and bar, as well as a good bank we could use. Nothing was learned or enjoyed. I'm pretty sure every fact on this tour was incorrect. 0/10 would not recommend, please do not do this tour.

This tour was amazing but mostly because of our duck Miss Judy and our captain oh captain Austin. He would quack after every joke and told us everything we needed to know about hot springs. We saw the lake and all the rich people's houses around it. The next day we saw Miss Judy broken down in the road and it scared us that she had passed away, but we called them later and they said she was back up and running. Whew! I was worried for her. She chugged along and did great for us. We kept our duck whistles and quacked at everyone all weekend in honor of Miss Judy and Captain Austin.

One of the people in our group had previously been on this duck tour about 1.5 years ago and had said it was good. They mentioned the tour guide giving a lot of interesting history particularly of the gangster past. She was with us on our tour too, so it wasn't just that we were expecting a lot. This tour was objectively lacking. We drove through the streets and at first I thought our tour guide was trying to be funny when he pointed out chain restaurants and stores versus telling us the town's history, but then he did it throughout the entire tour. We don't need to be shown the McDonald's, AMC theater, chik fil A, subway, etc, we can read. We asked about whether he could tell us about haunted stories, but then he told us we could go on the ghost tour instead if we'd like which fair enough, but he kept pointing out wineries, places to eat, and places to drink (alcohol) that we had no interest in. Also we weren't on the water long. He barely went out on the water either. It was just overall a subpar experience.

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• 134 Convention Boulevard Hot Springs, AR 71901 501-321-2277 [email protected]

A breath of fresh fun.

There's really no time like lake time spend your visit to hot springs on the water.

Our lakes have helped happy visitors make some of the best memories of their lives. Float a canoe. Kayak to islands. Hook a bass. Camp on a shore. Wade by a waterfall. Or, just relax and soak it all in. 

Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is an outdoor paradise. 

Welcome to the Tri-Lakes region.

Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine – all created by dams along the Ouachita River – offer a wide range of activities, each with its own unique character and scenery.

Lake Hamilton

Lake Hamilton fuses natural beauty and urban excitement. Restaurants, luxury resorts and palatial vacation homes line the shores only minutes from downtown Hot Springs. Hop off your boat and pick up a pizza, or grab a table to dine on the wharf. Shop for anything you need for the day or fuel your boat at the dockside stores. The lake offers more guided boat expeditions than any other. Take a pontoon boat tour or a duck boat tour. Or, if you'd prefer to be at the helm, check out one of many boat rental options at a handful of marinas in town.

Moving down stream, the waters from Lake Ouachita flow through Blakely Dam and into Lake Hamilton. The main body of water located right in town, on the south and west ends of Hot Springs. It is smaller, about one-sixth the size of Lake Ouachita, and is residentially and commercially developed, with grand houses, condos, restaurants and docks all along its shoreline. Consequently, it is a much busier lake with pleasure boaters out all summer long.

Entergy Arkansas performs an annual drawdown typically in early November. The size of the drawdown varies each winter, in part, to curb growth of nuisance vegetation. A vegetation management plan developed in conjunction with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission usually calls for alternating 3-foot and 5-foot drawdowns. The annual lowering of the lakes also is valuable to owners of shoreline facility, allowing them an opportunity to inspect and repair their structures and fortify the shoreline.

Entergy has used drawdowns on Lake Hamilton since 1996 to help control the spread of certain underwater plants that interfere with recreation.

Lake Catherine

From Lake Hamilton, the water flows through Carpenter Dam and into Lake Catherine. Located just southwest of town, this wooded oasis is the more secluded sister lake to social hotspot Lake Hamilton. Known for its serene charm as well as water sports and fishing, Lake Catherine is a 1,900-acre gem with trees rising all around and a natural, undeveloped feel.

There are good opportunities for swimming and boating, especially at Lake Catherine State Park, which has a nice swim beach, year-round boat rentals and the only full service marina on Lake Catherine. There are also 20 waterfront cabins, RV parking, a campground, playgrounds and a short hiking trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole.

Entergy Arkansas performs an annual drawdown typically in early November.

Lake Ouachita

The cleanest lake in the country and Arkansas’ largest lake is Lake Ouachita. Of the three manmade lakes along the Ouachita River, Lake Ouachita is the first on the river’s 600 mile journey from west-central Arkansas to north-central Louisiana. There is a restriction on commercial and residential building so the scenery comprises the all-natural wooded hills of the Ouachita National Forest. Lake Ouachita has between 600-900 miles of shoreline (depending on the water level) and about 40,000 acres of water.

Popular activities include bass and striper fishing, swimming, scuba diving, recreational boating, water skiing and other water sports. You will see all kinds of water craft on the lake from small kayaks and canoes to sailboats and houseboats. If you own or rent a boat, you can access the lake’s numerous uninhabited islands for free, primitive camping.

There are also several marinas, campgrounds and day use areas along the shoreline, including Lake Ouachita State Park, located about 15 miles from Hot Springs. The park offers family-friendly programs year-round including boat and kayak tours during the summer and bald eagle watch tours during the winter.

Take a drive up to Hickory Hill overlook for the most panoramic and spectacular view of this expansive lake. It is a fantastic place to picnic! There are also similar views from nearby hiking and biking trails, such as the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT).

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A look back at past deadly duck tour incidents

From a 1999 accident on an Arkansas lake to a 2016 crash in Boston.

Families are gathering in Branson, Missouri, to mourn the deaths of 17 people -- including children -- who were killed when a tourist duck boat capsized in a lake during severe thunderstorms Thursday night.

The crash in Table Rock Lake isn't the first time a duck boat tour has turned deadly. From a 1999 accident on an Arkansas lake to a 2016 crash in Boston, here are some previous fatal accidents involving duck boats in the United States:

1999: Arkansas

Thirteen people were killed when a duck boat with 21 people on board sank on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1999, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The boat was about 7 minutes into its tour when it sank by its stern and plunged 60 feet to the bottom of the lake, the NTSB said. Seven passengers and the operator escaped.

The NTSB determined the cause of the accident to be inadequate maintenance of the vessel, which was built by the U.S. Army in 1944.

(MORE: 13 dead, including children in Missouri duck boat accident)

(more: how the missouri duck boat capsize unfolded amid weather warnings), 2010: philadelphia.

A tugboat-guided barge hit a duck tour boat on the Delaware River in 2010, killing Szaboolcs Prem and Doran Schwendtner, two Hungarian students who were visiting the U.S., ABC station WPVI in Philadelphia reported.

The tugboat pilot, Matthew Devlin, had been talking on his cellphone at the time and was sentenced to one year in prison, WPVI reported.

2015: Philadelphia

Elizabeth Karnicki, a tourist from Texas, was walking in Philadelphia during the evening rush hour when she was hit and killed by a duck boat in May 2015, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Karnicki's husband argued duck boats have large blind spots causing the drivers to not see pedestrians; he sued the company and the case was settled, The Kansas City Star reported.

2015: Seattle

Five college students were killed and many others were injured in a duck boat crash in Seattle in September 2015.

The boat was driving on Aurora Bridge when the axle broke, causing the driver to lose control and collide with a bus carrying college students, The Associated Press said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Ride the Ducks International violated the law by not telling regulators of a safety defect in the duck boats' front axle and by not issuing a recall, the AP reported.

Ride the Ducks International agreed to pay penalties, calling it "an unprecedented failure," the AP reported in 2016.

2016: Boston

Allison Warmuth was riding a scooter in Boston when she was hit and killed by a duck tour boat in 2016, according to ABC affiliate WCVB in Boston.

After the crash, duck boats in the city added second workers to all its tours, reported WCVB. The boats also added new equipment including an extra camera to the tours and banned drivers from narrating during the rides, WCVB said.

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Captain Jack's Lake Cruises

Lake Hamilton

501-547-2743

Reserve a cruise

Captain jack's lake cruise.

Daytime and Sunset Cruise: Book Online

Private Charters (your Group plus Boat with Captain) are our specialty. Standard Cruises cannot pick up at your dock, but Charters can. Call to book a charter cruise: 501-547-2743

Captain Jack has been boating on Lake Hamilton for over 30 years. He knows the lake and he knows how to navigate the risks on this busy lake.

Let Captain Jack do the driving while you enjoy the adventure.

Reserve now

Cruise Lake Hamilton with Captain Jack

Boating with Captain Jack is convenient. With a Charter Cruise we can usually pick you up from your dock, depending upon the location.

Captain Jack's cruises and charters are less expensive than renting your own pontoon. Only $45 per person for our Day Cruises and $60 per person for our Sunset Cruise.

Make Reservation

Better than renting your own boat.

The pilot of a boat on Lake Hamilton has to watch for boats pulling tubes and skiers, tubers and skiers that have been dumped into the water, wave runners circling everywhere, fishing boats with lines in the water, plus other boats. Relax and let Captain Jack cruise you around the lake. Plus, it costs a lot less.

Why go through the hassle of renting your own boat? With Captain Jack's Lake Cruises there are no deposits, sales tax, fuel charges, or worries about damaging the boat or bringing it back late. You can relax and not stress over hitting another boat or running over a skier in the water. Lake time is all about having a fun and relaxing time.

With our private charters, you get all the benefits with none of the worries. Call to book a charter cruise: 501-547-2743

12 Unforgettable Tours Everyone In Arkansas Should Take At Least Once

J.B. VanDyke

J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.

More by this Author

A self-guided adventure in Arkansas is a great way to get to know the state, but if you’d rather trust your adventure to the experts, you can find plenty of opportunities here. From caves to lakes to bears (oh my!), here are twelve tours that everyone needs to take in Arkansas:

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Have you taken any of these tours?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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11 Are Killed as a Tourist Boat Sinks on Arkansas Lake

Eleven people drowned and one was injured today when the amphibious excursion boat on which they were passengers sank without warning in nearby Lake Hamilton.

The dead included three children, ages 2 to 5, said Sheriff Larry Selig of Garland County. The driver survived.

The 20 people aboard the open-air, World War II-vintage boat panicked and scrambled for life preservers as it took on water at midday and sank suddenly on Lake Hamilton near this popular tourist town, the Associated Press reported.

''I've been in law enforcement here for 20 years, and this is the most difficult thing I've had to deal with,'' Sheriff Selig said. ''It's just horrible.''

Sheriff Selig and lawyers for the company that owns the boat said it was several minutes into the aquatic leg of its journey when it began to take on water.

''The driver told us that all of a sudden the front started coming up, almost vertical,'' Sheriff Selig said. ''Thirty seconds later, the whole thing was underwater.''

None of the passengers were wearing life preservers, the Associated Press reported. The boat, known as a ''duck'' for its use on land and water, sank in one or two minutes as it cruised less than a mile offshore, said City Manager Kent Myers and witnesses.

''When people in the nearby condos saw what was happening, they rushed to their boats and went out to help,'' said Joe Sexson, director of emergency services for nearby Hot Springs National Park.

The craft, covered with a canopy, was required to carry life preservers, but passengers were not required to wear them, Mr. Myers said.

Sheriff Selig said representatives of the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Board were en route to Hot Springs to investigate the accident. He said he had ''no idea, none'' as to why the boat sank.

Watching the rescue effort from the shore early this afternoon was a boy who had been on the boat with his parents and sister, who were unaccounted for. The police did not want to identify the boy until the fate of his family could be determined. Sheriff Selig said that none of the dead would be identified until Sunday.

''I was scared, wondering what was going to happen,'' the boy said. ''I just remember going out the window at the top. I couldn't find my parents or my sister. The boat started going down. The whole thing was under in 30 seconds.'' he said.

Divers said that the boat, called the Miss Majestic, came to rest on its wheels in about 60 feet of water. Had the boat journeyed a few feet farther, they said, it would have settled into the deepest channel, 180 feet, of Lake Hamilton.

A lawyer for Land and Lake Tours Inc. of Hot Springs, which owns the boat, identified its operator as Beth Hambrick and said she had been employed by the company since last November. The lawyer, Q. Byrum Hurst Jr., said Ms. Hambrick had all the credentials required by the Coast Guard to be captain of the vessel. Mr. Hurst said that Ms. Hambrick, who was treated at a local hospital, had tried to save some of the passengers and was distraught at having failed.

All the passengers were believed to be from outside the Hot Springs area, the lawyer said. And all were thought to have been accounted for by early evening.

The passengers had paid less than $10 each this morning to board the amphibious boat, one of several that gather tourists in downtown Hot Springs and, after a short scenic tour, launch from a ramp into Lake Hamilton for a cruise.

Mr. Hurst said the boats, weighing 7.5 half tons, were built for the military in World War II as troop carriers and later converted for use as sightseeing boats. They are inspected by the Coast Guard annually, according to the Associated Press.

Mr. Hurst said the company had never before had a fatal accident in its 38 years of operation. The company, which owns several similar vehicles, has suspended operations pending an investigation.

Mark National Indigenous Peoples Day in Hamilton, Niagara and Six Nations with these events

Events marking the day — including markets, performances and tours — are happening across the region.

Social Sharing

Ahead of National Indigenous People's day this Friday, Heather George says she's feeling grateful. 

She directs the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ont., which is on the site of the former Mohawk Institute residential school. George says she's appreciative that she works at an institution dedicated to preserving what residential schools tried to destroy. 

"I'm really grateful that I get to bring my daughter to the residential school that her great uncles were taken to, and it gets to become a space where she gets to learn about culture," George told CBC Hamilton in the lead up to June 21, also known as Solidarity Day. June is also Indigenous History Month. 

• CBC marks National Indigenous Peoples Day & National Indigenous History Month

The First Nations-managed centre has a mandate to preserve and promote Indigenous language, culture, art and history.

While their staff will mark June 21 by being in community, the centre itself will host a celebration for the day on Sunday, June 23, featuring live performances by Indigenous musicians as well as demonstrations of traditional dances and sports, and tours.

• From films to food, your Indigenous guide to summer
• North America's 1st treaty agreements were recorded in wampum belts

"For non-Indigenous folks, it's a really great way to experience Indigenous culture and heritage directly from Indigenous people. And it's also just a really fun time," George said.

This week, events marking the day — including markets supporting Indigenous artists, performances and tours exploring Indigenous history — are happening across the region. 

Here's what's on in Hamilton, Niagara, Burlington, Brantford and Six Nations. 

A virtual tour of the Mohawk Institute

June 20, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Virtual

This pay-what-you-can event will offer people a tour of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School.

The tour also includes historical information, a look at the different rooms in the building and interviews from five survivors of the former residential school.

Payments will aid efforts to restore the institute and turn it into a historic site and educational resource.

An evening of Indigenous beadwork in Hamilton

June 20, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., 83 Stanley Ave., Hamilton

Later that day, in Hamilton, local Indigenous beadworkers will be selling their collections and showing off vintage and antique beadworks.

Anishinaabe journalist and storyteller Ryan McMahon will also speak about the history and importance of beadwork to Indigenous communities.

Ace of Cups and Decolonial Little Library will host the event and 20 per cent of Ace of Cups sales will support the little library.

The Mush Hole: the residential school experience through dance

June 20, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., June 21, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.,  McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton

On Thursday and Friday, people can watch a theatrical dance performance that reflects the realities of the Mohawk Institute residential school.

The Mush Hole is based on the experiences of survivors. The performance follows three students, a mother and a father. The performance doesn't include words, instead relying on movement and music.

Each performance ends with a post-show chat with the cast.

Tickets are between $20 and $30.

26th Annual Soaring Spirit Festival & Pow Wow

June 21, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., June 22 and 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 77 King St. W., Hamilton

This weekend the Battlefield Museum and Park Historic Site in Stoney Creek will host traditional Indigenous dancers, drummers and vendors — and it's free for anyone who wants to attend.

On Friday, there will be live music.

Saturday and Sunday will feature a sunrise ceremony.

There will also be vendors and food.

Singers, dancers and a documentary in Hamilton

June 21, 7:30 p.m., The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

The Westdale cinema will have an evening with conversation, music, dance and film to commemorate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The celebration will include James Wilson, Spirit Vision Drum & Dancers, The Mohawk Singers, and the premiere screening of the short documentary film Tecumseh by Cher Obediah.

Tecumseh is about a historical hero who navigated a colonizer mindset to reimagine the landscape of Turtle Island.

The evening will end with a discussion panel about Indigenous art, identity, and the difficulties faced working towards the goal of Reconciliation.

The event is free but you must register online for a ticket.

A concert at noon in Hamilton

June 21, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Central Library, 55 York Blvd., Hamilton

Libraries are often quiet places, but it won't be at noon on Friday.

James Wilson, a Mohawk and French-Canadian singer-songwriter from Six Nations of the Grand River, will perform .

Hamilton City Hall celebration

June 21, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., 71 Main St. W., Hamilton

In the city hall forecourt, the City of Hamilton's Indigenous Relations team is hosting a celebration featuring singing and drumming. 

Workshop at the Niagara Falls History Museum

June 21, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5810 Ferry St., Niagara Falls

At the Niagara Falls History Museum, a free workshop by Cindy Biancaniello, whose grandfather was an Inuktitut interpreter, will showcase photos of Inuit life going back to 1897. 

Music, exhibitions and more in Burlington

June 21, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington

Burlington's Spencer Smith Park will host music, craft vendors and more on Friday evening.

Some of the event's features include a performance by Amber Kakiishiway, music by Cliff Cardinal and Matt Bergman, a Powwow exhibition by Jamie Lindsey and a tobacco ceremony by WhiteEagle.

It's a free event with no registration needed.

Lacrosse, drumming and more in Brantford

June 21, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Earl Haig Waterpark, 101 Market St. S., Brantford

It'll be an all day affair in Brantford for National Indigenous Peoples Day.

There will be drummers, singers, dancers, food, crafts and lacrosse demonstrations.

The event is free but the maximum capacity is 585 people.

Pay-what-you-can films in St. Catharines

June 21, 4 p.m. The Film House, 250 St Paul St, St. Catharines

On Friday, The Film House in St. Catharines will feature a trio of pay-what-you-can films from Indigenous filmmakers.

Kayak to Klemtu tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who speaks out against a proposed pipeline that would bring oil tanker traffic to the waters around her hometown.

Run Woman Run is about a single mom who learns how to reclaim her dreams, family and honour her life, all thanks to an unlikely coach.

Falls Around Her focuses on a successful singer who leaves everything behind to return to her reservation to live alone.

All proceeds will go to the Niagara Regional Native Centre.

Friendship Centre celebration

June 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, 796 Buffalo Road, Fort Erie, Ont.

The friendship centre will host an all-day event including a sunrise ceremony, guest speakers, contests, food and dancing. 

Solidarity Day in Six Nations 

June 21, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Six Nations Community Hall, 1738 Fourth Line.

A day of festivities that includes food, entertainment and a Midway.  

FrancoFest in Hamilton marks NIPD

June 21, 5 - 11 p.m., Gage Park, Hamilton 

The first day of FrancoFest's annual event falls on National Indigenous Peoples Day. The evening's programming will be dedicated to the day, with Samuel Tremblay, better known by his stage name Samian, performing as one of the festival's headliners. The Anishinabeg rapper and actor is a member of the Abitibiwinni First Nation in Pikogan, Que. He performs in French and Anishinaabemowin.

Celebration at the Woodland Cultural Centre

June 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 184 Mohawk St., Brantford, Ont.

The cultural centre in Brantford will host live performances by Indigenous musicians as well as demonstrations of traditional dances and sports. Free with a suggested $10 donation, the centre will also have workshops and tours of its museum and galleries. 

Conversations and hand puppets at Hamilton Public Library

June 27, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., June 28, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Library, 55 York Blvd., Hamilton

Author Jeffrey Luscombe will discuss his new book, To Refrain From Embracing , with author Jessica Rose, on the evening of June 27 at Hamilton's Central Library. The book is about a struggling Hamilton family and includes a character "rediscovering her Indigenous identity," according to the library.

The following afternoon at the Red Hill branch, theatre group Rabbit and Bear Paws will present the story of how Turtle Island came to be. 

A play about 'Pretendians' at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

June 27, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 43 Castlereagh St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. 

For a donation, visitors can watch Blood Sport , a satirical play by Mohawk writer January Rogers about people falsely identifying as Indigenous. 

Audio tour of Niagara Glen

Self-guided. 3050 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, Ont.

With a free app, visitors to the Niagara Glen nature preserve can enjoy an audio-tour curated by Michele-Elise Burnett and audio-engineered by William Riech Jr., who are Metis with Algonquin roots and members of the Bear Clan.

With files from Eva Salinas, Bobby Hristova, Justin Chandler, Ethan Lang, Josh Grant

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