sākihiwē festival 2026 - Day 1: LOV, Jessa Sky, and Kenzie Love

The 17th annual sākihiwē festival returned to Winnipeg with a powerful opening night at the Park Theatre on June 25, 2026, celebrating Indigenous excellence through an evening of music, culture, and community. Featuring captivating performances from rising Indigenous artists LOV and Jessa Sky alongside Manitoba's own Kenzie Love, the festival once again showcased the incredible depth of Indigenous talent from across the country.

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.

Kenzie Love. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography

Jessa Sky. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography

LOV. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography