The sākihiwē festival
Discover the richness of Indigenous music

The Canadian Cultural Centre welcomes the duo Burnstick, singer Leela Gilday and the Digging Roots for the first time on Tuesday, October 11 starting at 8pm! Come experience the diversity of Canada’s Indigenous cultures at sākihiwē, a festival already well established in the Canadian Prairies in Manitoba. Reserve your tickets now!

The sākihiwē festival brings Indigenous artists and music groups to the forefront with the desire to promote the plurality of their cultures, respect for their traditions and the importance of living together. It offers a real springboard for Indigenous voices and encourages moments of encounter between communities around the same passion for music.

Burnstick
It’s folk music that’s brimming with the kind of chemistry that could only come from a husband and wife. Nadia, a Francophone-Métis singer-songwriter, and Jason, a Plains-Cree guitarist, create the award-winning duo: Burnstick. Two performers whose voices and languages blend together with ease, Burnstick pushes the boundaries of contemporary folk music, weaving together the unique sounds of vintage Weissenborns with intriguing vocal harmonies, while allowing the beauty of simple melodies to shine through.

Leela Gilday
A passionate singer/songwriter and soulful performer, Leela Gilday has a voice that comes straight from the heart. Confessing her stories to her audiences with a gutsy voice and open stage presence, Gilday weaves her experiences as a northerner, a member of the Dene nation, and a traveler into a beautiful world that transports the listener.

Digging Roots 
Digging Roots breathe life into songs from their land, Turtle Island (which in some Indigenous nations refers to the North American continent), to raise their voices in solidarity with a global chorus of Indigenous artists, activists and change-makers. For over a decade, JUNO Award winners Digging Roots have traveled the world with a joyful message of resistance, celebrating Anishinabe and Onkwehonwe traditions of round dance and interconnectedness interwoven with the bedrock sounds of blues, soul and rock n’ roll.

Learn more about the festival