sākihiwē festival 2026 - Day 2: Willows and Tinge

The 17th annual sākihiwē festival continued its second evening in the round at The Forks in Winnipeg on June 26, 2026, celebrating Indigenous excellence through an evening of music, culture, and community. The ninety-minute performance from Willows and Tinge showcased their discographies and covers as well in a writer's circle-style performance, taking the mic back and forth, sharing stories that shaped them as people and musicians today.

Since launching as Aboriginal Music Week in 2009, the festival has grown into one of Canada's premier Indigenous music celebrations. Produced by Aboriginal Music Manitoba, sākihiwē continues to create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous artists while fostering connections with audiences through diverse programming year-round. Fresh off receiving the 2025 Western Canadian Music Award for Community Excellence, the festival's opening night was a fitting reminder of why sākihiwē remains such a vital platform for Indigenous voices, setting an inspiring tone for another unforgettable weekend of music and celebration.

Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography