The Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT), in partnership with the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre (KDCC), are thrilled to announce the program highlights for the 2021 Adäka Cultural Festival. Taking place from June 25 to June 30, 2021, the 10th anniversary of the Festival is bringing the focus back home. Both in person and virtually, Adäka will honour the different nations of the Yukon, showcasing Kaska, Southern Tutchone, Northern Tutchone, Tlingit, Upper Tanana, Han and Gwitchin programming. Adäka will feature a beautiful outdoor riverside main stage for performing arts.
Performance highlights include:
“We know this year’s Festival has to take a different shape than previous years to ensure we’re keeping our community safe and healthy,” says Katie Johnson, Adäka Cultural Festival Producer. “We have so much amazing Indigenous talent in the Yukon and we’re proud to put it on full display during our 10th anniversary of Adäka. What better way to honour our home as we all step back into the light!” Programming will take place throughout the day at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, with some being streamed live for an online audience to enjoy. Daily programming highlights include: • Storytelling and cultural presentations by Elders and leaders where the community is invited to gather together, in person and virtually, to learn about our rich culture and heritage. • A professional retail gallery and Artist Studio Village showcasing the finest multi-disciplinary Indigenous arts and craft by over 60 Indigenous visual artists from across Yukon. You won’t want to leave empty-handed! Here the public can connect with the cultural community while observing and interacting with visual artists transforming raw materials into beautiful traditional and contemporary works of art. • A workshop program offering interactive visual and performing arts workshops for artists and the public throughout the course of the week.
The health and safety of the community is a priority to YFNCT and the KDCC. COVID safety protocols will be implemented during the Adäka Cultural Festival.
The Adäka Cultural Festival is currently seeking volunteers for June 25 to June 30. Volunteers are needed for hospitality, set up and take down, transportation, logistics, front of house, security, gallery sales, COVID safety team, and more. For more information and to sign up, visit adakafestival.ca/volunteer.
Support from the business community, organizations, and Yukon First Nations governments is crucial for the ongoing success of the Festival. If you’re interested in sponsoring the 2021 Festival, please contact Amber Berard-Althouse at info@adakafestival.ca. Appreciation goes out to Adäka’s presenting sponsor, the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre; our Diamond sponsors Solid Sound, Northwestel, and Teslin Tlingit Council; our Platinum sponsors AFN Yukon, Northern Vision Development and Newmont; and every other sponsor who makes this event possible. Adäka funding partners include the Government of Canada, Yukon Government, Canadian Heritage, Canadian Council for the Arts and Lotteries Yukon.