Mìwàte

[Manfred M]

Mìwàte, which means “dazzled by a light or fire” in Anishinaabe, the language of the Algonquin people who lived in the area. The Chaudière Falls on the Ottawa River are the focus of a month-long sound and light show. The falls have been inaccessible to the public for the past century due to industrial development in the area.

[Tony M]

I know nothing of the native people or their language in your part of the world. Do people still speak it?

It's certainly very colourful. What's the history of the show?

Is the green light on the foreground cast by the lights on the bridge?

Tony

[Donald]

That would be spectacular to see in person. This image is a good substitute for those not able to be there.

[Manfred M]

I know nothing of the native people or their language in your part of the world. Do people still speak it?

The Ojibway languages are still in use, and Anishinaabe belongs to that family of native languages. My eldest daughter took a course in Ojibway languages during her university studies.

It's certainly very colourful. What's the history of the show?

2017 is Canada's 150th birthday and this is one of the many events in Ottawa celebrating that event. The Chaudière Falls are sacred to the local First Nations and they were extensively consulted in developing this display. There is an interpretation centre and there are explanatory plaques at the site.

Is the green light on the foreground cast by the lights on the bridge?

Yes you can see the lights at the left on the dam; which is used for generating electrical power. The electrical pylon in the background connects to the generating station located at this site.

Unfortunately, the event is extremely popular and tripods are not allowed, so ISO 12800 at f/2.8 came in handy, as did the noise reduction capabilities of DxO PhotoLab.