Festival Info

2024 Artist Applications

Applications closed on February 15, 2024.

2024 Food Vendor Application

Applications closed on April 12, 2024. 

past festival programs

2024 Adäka Cultural Festival  

The highly anticipated Adäka Cultural Festival is set to return for another exciting celebration of Indigenous heritage and creativity. Scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 1, 2024 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, this year's festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.

Presented by the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT) and the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, the Adäka Cultural Festival will showcase the rich and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples from across Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Alaska. Through a vibrant array of performances, workshops, artist demonstrations, and cultural presentations, the festival offers a unique opportunity for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors to connect with and learn from Indigenous traditions and perspectives.

"We are thrilled to announce the return of the Adäka Cultural Festival," said Robin Chambers, Executive Director, YFNCT. "This year's event will feature an exciting lineup of performers, visual artists, and cultural presenters, highlighting the resilience, creativity, and beauty of Indigenous cultures."

Festival attendees and artists alike will have the opportunity to share, purchase unique artwork, and enjoy in four-days of culture. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of the Adäka Cultural Festival!

ADÄKA PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, June 28 - Adäka Opening Ceremony
Join us for the opening night of Adäka 2024 as we celebrate coming together in a good way, with performances by the Rising Sun Singers, Dakhká Khwáan Dancers and Jasmine Netsena.

Saturday, June 29 – Adäka Amped!
A night of powerful performances that will set your soul on fire! Come witness musicians that have made their own footprint on Indigenous music and continue to rise up. Featuring performances by Edzi’U, Bria Rose N’ Thorns and Northern Haze, a metal / rock band from Igloolik, Nunavut.

Sunday, June 30 – Aunties Under the Midnight Sun (*ticketed event)
Join us for a night of entertaining performances bringing a unique blend of traditional drumming, singing and comedy. With performances by Mayo drumming group Remmi Elin and traditional round dance singer Fawn Wood.

Strap in for a wild night of comedy with your favorite twisted Aunties. Join us for some laughs with the sharpest tongues and the wittiest minds, where the humor is as dark as your niece’s burnt bannock and twice as biting. Get ready for a night of razor-sharp punchlines and stories that will leave you laughing until your face and ribs hurt. You won't want to miss this unforgettable evening of side-splitting humor under the Yukon’s summer light!

Tickets for this event are $25 and can be purchased here. 

Monday, July 1 – The Good Time Community Dance
Get your moccasins ready for some jigging! This audience favorite event will feature fiddlers plus the quick-footed Teechik Dancers from Old Crow! This community dance, featuring old style and contemporary fiddlers, is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

ADÄKA DAILY HIGHLIGHTS 2024

Gallery –Take in high-quality Indigenous visual arts and crafts created by over 80 Indigenous visual artists from across Canada and displayed in the professional 2,300 square foot gallery. 

Artist Studio Tent – Connect with the cultural community as you observe and interact with visual artists transforming raw materials into beautiful works of art in the massive artist studio tent. Mingle in this informal shared creation space, and learn first-hand about artists’ materials, techniques, and inspiration in both traditional and contemporary styles.

Cultural Presentations – Immerse yourself and gain deeper understanding in these presentations from Indigenous artists, knowledge keepers, scholars. The range of topics includes reconciliation, traditional knowledge, history, storytelling, cultural revitalization, fashion and more.

Yoga and River Walks - Adäka is pleased to offer complimentary opportunities to move your body and re-connect with nature.

Workshops – Sign up for some of the 20+ arts workshops tailored to beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. There will be public workshops available, as well as some that will center Indigenous artists as participants, as they network and learn advanced skills from each other. 

Go For Literacy Bus – Families are welcome to visit the Family Literacy Centre’s Go for Literacy bus for arts and crafts, free books, play, and more!

About the Festival

The Adäka Cultural Festival was launched in July 2011, with a mission to develop and deliver a world-class, iconic festival that showcases, celebrates, and fosters the development of Yukon’s diverse and distinctive First Nations arts and culture.

Adäka means “coming into the light” in the Southern Tutchone language. The Festival is committed to shining a light on the creative spirit of Yukon First Nations people, helping to preserve and revitalize our arts and culture, while inspiring artists and youth to take pride in their heritage and communities. With unique opportunities like Adäka our artists will undoubtedly continue to set new standards of quality and excellence in the arts and cultural sector!

The Festival Producer

Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism AssociationThe festival is administered by the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT). YFNCT is a not-for-profit organization committed to growing, promoting and celebrating strong and sustainable Yukon First Nations arts, culture and tourism sectors.

The Festival Venue

We are proud to have the magnificent Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre as the home for the Festival. This cedar-clad, traditionally inspired building features high ceilings, excellent acoustics, a stunning view of the Yukon River, towering clay cliffs, and surrounding mountains.

The Festival Team

Special thanks to YFNCT team members for year-round support of the Festival.

Special thanks to our Presenting Partner Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre for venue and program support.

The Festival office is located in the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association headquarters in the White Pass Building, at Front Street and Main Street in Whitehorse.