The Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT), in partnership with the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre (KDCC), are pleased to announce the 10th Adäka Cultural Festival will take place from June 25 to July 1, 2021.
YFNCT is enthusiastically preparing for a festival that will understandably take a different shape this year to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved. The impacts of this past year have been felt all across the territory, let alone the world, and YFNCT is excited to provide some much-needed light this summer through Adäka. More than ever this year, the importance of community and connection has resonated throughout the Yukon, therefore, in celebration of the 10th anniversary, the 2021 festival will be a Yukon-wide community-focused gathering, bringing Yukon First Nations safely together in person and virtually. The festival will celebrate communities and the power of knowledge, wisdom and resiliency. Adäka will embrace this moment in time as an opportunity to share stories and culture with pride and purpose to harness the spirit within and around all who are involved. Every day Adäka will honour the different nations of the Yukon both virtually and in person, showcasing Kaska, Southern Tutchone, Northern Tutchone, Tlingit, Upper Tanana, Han and Gwitchin programming that will feature cultural sharing with youth, elders, knowledge keepers, artists, performers and other partners.
“We’re excited with the direction of Adäka this year as a result of the need to adapt to ensure the health and safety of Yukoners and all those involved,” says Katie Johnson, Adäka Cultural Festival Producer. “The festival will provide many different opportunities to come together as a community, both virtually and in person, to elevate our many vibrant, diverse, and resilient Yukon Indigenous cultures, building on the success of previous festivals.”
Adäka has become a rich gathering for Yukon First Nations people to share stories through arts and culture. Some highlights the 2021 festival will include:
Yukon Indigenous artists, performers, fashion designers and knowledge keepers are invited to apply at adakafestival.ca. The application deadline is April 15, 2021. Support from the business community, organizations, and Yukon First Nations governments is crucial for the ongoing success of the festival. Adäka is currently seeking sponsorship for the 2021 festival. If you’re interested in sponsoring, please contact Katie Johnson at arts@yfnct.ca.
Launched in July 2011, the mission of the Adäka Cultural Festival is to develop and deliver a world-class, iconic event that showcases, celebrates, and fosters the development of Yukon’s diverse and distinctive Yukon Indigenous arts and culture. YFNCT proudly produces the festival, led by a strong board of Yukon First Nations leaders. For up-to-date information and news about the Adäka Cultural Festival, visit adakafestival.ca.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: Katie Johnson Adäka Cultural Festival Producer arts@yfnct.ca (867) 332-5283