About Us
Treaty One Territory
The sākihiwē festival (formerly Aboriginal Music Week) is produced by Aboriginal Music Manitoba Inc. (AMM). The festival is set for June 28-30, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Our Name
We received the name for our festival from Sundance chief David Blacksmith during a ceremony on February 21, 2018. The name means "love another" in Cree and we have been instructed to use Standard Roman Orthography (SRO) to write the name.
Our Colours
Blacksmith presented us with five colours to accompany the festival's name. Our colours are red (represents fire), yellow (represents new life), blue (represents thunderbirds), white (spirit), and black (to have no fear).
What We Do
We take music to Indigenous families in divested neighbourhoods so they can participate in the arts without sacrificing their family responsibilities, personal safety, or their ability to make ends meet.
We also serve as a launch pad for emerging Indigenous artists and a stepping stone for mid-career or export-ready artists who need additional support.
Why We Do It
We believe that every stage gives us an opportunity to show audiences that Indigenous people have just as many possibilities and just as much value as their loved ones.
We believe that music and art deserts have the same negative effects on our mental health that food deserts have on our physical well being.
For us, colonization is the process used to destroy Indigenous families in Canada, so decolonization is the process of strengthening them.
Connect With Us
We're on Social Media.
Artist Submissions
We're accepting submissions from indigenous artists for the 2024 edition of the sākihiwē festival (full details).
We present Inuit, Metis, First Nation, Native American, and Indigenous music artists and groups from Turtle Island and beyond. The presentation of female and Two Spirit artists is a priority for us.
We offer performance fees for all contracted artists along with accommodations, per diems, and a ground transportation allowance for performers from outside of Manitoba. All contracted artists are responsible for transportation between their home and Winnipeg.
Please email alan@sakihiwe.ca if you have any questions.
AMM is incorporated under the laws of Manitoba as a corporation without share capital (i.e., not-for-profit). The corporation is governed by a volunteer board of directors.
Vision
AMM is universally accepted as a leader in the development and growth of the Indigenous music community.
Mission
The purpose of AMM is to present, promote and nurture Indigenous music and culture in order to build audiences at the community level and beyond.
