Mama8i Nikamo: Celebrating Aboriginal Music in Pikogan – Cultural Thread Interview Highlights

Mama8i Nikamo: A New Indigenous Arts and Music Festival Unites Communities in canada

Published: March 22, 2025

By Archyde news

Pikogan, Abitibi-Témiscamingue – In a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, the inaugural Mama8i Nikamo festival is set to debut in Pikogan on June 13 and 14, 2025. The festival, whose name translates to “songs” in Anicinabe, promises to be a landmark event fostering intercultural exchange and community spirit. This festival’s innovative approach and diverse lineup offer a critically important contribution to the landscape of Indigenous arts and music in North America.

A Gift to the Community

Jeremie Kistabish, a key member of the festival’s organizing committee, expressed his enthusiasm: We are very happy to be the first to put things forward and promote culture thru this festival, through art and music.

Mama8i Nikamo is strategically timed to coincide with Pikogan’s annual Pow-Wow, scheduled for the daytime hours of June 14 and 15. The festival will kick off in the evenings, offering a complementary experience that amplifies the cultural richness of the weekend.

Kistabish further elaborated on the festival’s origins, explaining, It’s a gift that we wanted to make for the 10th edition [du Pow-Wow] As we thought we wanted to do this even bigger and we wanted to offer a gift for the regulars of Pow-Wow. This synergy not only honors tradition but also propels Indigenous culture forward, showcasing its dynamism and adaptability.

Promoting Intercultural Exchange

Mama8i Nikamo aims to promote Indigenous culture and facilitate connections, whether between indigenous nations or whether between Aboriginal and Quebec or Ontario nations, according to Kistabish. This pan-Indigenous approach aligns with broader efforts to foster solidarity and understanding across diverse communities.

The festival’s diverse lineup reflects its commitment to showcasing both emerging and established talents from across the region and beyond. It is indeed really artists who come a little everywhere, Kistabish noted, highlighting the festival’s inclusive vision.

Notable artists scheduled to perform include:

• Samian: An Algonquin rapper from Pikogan, known for his socially conscious lyrics and dynamic stage presence.
• Anyma Ora: An electro-pop artist from Wendake, blending customary elements with modern sounds.
• Régis Niquay: A singer-songwriter from the Atikamekw nation, celebrated for his storytelling and evocative melodies.
• Ivan Boivin-Flamand: A guitarist, also from the Atikamekw nation, known for his innovative approach to traditional music.
• Matten: A folk-rock group from Mani-Unam, bringing a contemporary edge to Indigenous musical traditions.
• Kevin Boudrias & julie Duguay: An Algonquin and Quebecoise duo, showcasing the power of cross-cultural collaboration.
• Alicia Kayley: A Pop and R&B singer-songwriter from Ontario.
• DJ Shub: A renowned DJ from Ontario.

Mama8i nikamo will feature an outdoor setting with a large stage, hosting eight concerts and culminating in a drone show. This modern touch complements the traditional elements, creating a unique and engaging experience for attendees.

Unifying Through Tradition

The ultimate goal of Mama8i Nikamo is to create a unifying event, fostering a sense of community and promoting intercultural understanding. [Le souhait pour cette] First edition is to start a unifying event and find a community […] That we can come to the show, to the festival, to make intercultural exchanges, but also to learn a little more about indigenous artists, on indigenous culture through music, Kistabish explained.

The festival’s motto, “Undresses nations to the rhythm of traditions,” encapsulates this vision, emphasizing the power of music and dance to transcend cultural boundaries.

Kistabish emphasized the importance of showcasing Aboriginal culture through traditional dance presentations: And it is indeed sure that there will be, to the rhythm of traditions, traditional dance presentations through shows. We will try to bring the Aboriginal culture as much as possible through these shows. Then we want to offer quality production.

The festival’s unifying theme is reflected in its logo, designed by Keysha Kistabish-Ruperthouse, with a poster created by Jenny corriveau. the turtle, representing the legend of carrying the world on its back, was chosen as the theme animal for its unifying symbolism, surpassing other animals like the eagle, bear, or wolf.

Symbolism of the Turtle

In many Indigenous cultures, the turtle represents:

• Mother Earth
• Long life and perseverance
• Wisdom and guidance
• Protection and stability

Shining a Light on Indigenous Artists

The creation of Mama8i Nikamo has been met with enthusiasm within the artistic community. They find that it is a great initiative, that it is a good idea.They find that it is great as an idea because there is the indigenous culture, then there is indigenous music, then there is the indigenous decor and it is a mixture that we are going to make over the years, Kistabish noted.

He also believes the festival fills a gap in the Indigenous music scene. It is indeed not very present in the musical artistic community, that’s why we wanted to do this basically, then we wanted to do it professional, that’s what it came to create this festival, he said.

Kistabish hopes that Mama8i Nikamo will inspire similar events. this is why we make a lot of effort in production, in the quality of the service [et] In the quality of the show that we will offer. The goal is not bad that, then is to also offer a slightly clearer vision on indigenous culture, then to make intercultural exchanges, and to see how far it will go, he concluded.

チケット情報

Passes for the Mama8i Nikamo festival are available for purchase online. A curated playlist featuring the festival’s artists is also available on Spotify.

What are the musical genres represented at the Mama8i Nikamo festival?

Interview: Jeremie Kistabish, Organizer of the Mama8i Nikamo Indigenous Arts and Music festival

An Interview with Jeremie Kistabish

Archyde News: Welcome, Jeremie! It’s a pleasure to speak with you today about the upcoming Mama8i Nikamo festival. Could you start by telling us a bit about the genesis of this exciting event?

Jeremie Kistabish: Thank you for having me. Mama8i Nikamo, which means “songs” in Anicinabe, really started as a gift to our community. We wanted to offer something special to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our annual Pow-Wow and offer a gift for the regulars of the Pow-Wow. We felt that showcasing Indigenous culture through music and art would be a great way to achieve this.

Celebrating Indigenous Arts and Music

Archyde News: The festival’s timing, coinciding with the Pow-Wow, seems particularly inspired. How does this synergy enhance the overall experience?

Jeremie Kistabish: Absolutely! We wanted to create a complementary experience. The Pow-Wow offers daytime celebrations, and Mama8i Nikamo will bring evening concerts and events that extend the cultural immersion throughout the weekend. We believe it’s a natural partnership that will bring together people who have a shared love for these traditions.

archyde News: Mama8i Nikamo focuses on promoting intercultural exchange. Could you elaborate on how the festival achieves this goal?

Jeremie Kistabish: Our aim is to connect various Indigenous nations and also facilitate understanding between Aboriginal communities and the broader quebec and Ontario populations. the music and art are a worldwide language. We designed a festival that brings together artists from many backgrounds. We feel that through music, dance, and shared experiences, barriers break down, and genuine connections are made.

The Power of Music and Community

Archyde News: The lineup is incredibly diverse. What can attendees expect from the performances, and what was the process of curating the artistic selection?

Jeremie Kistabish: we’re immensely proud of the lineup. Attendees can expect a rich tapestry of Indigenous music,from emerging talents to established artists. We wanted to showcase a mix of genres, from rap to electro-pop to traditional folk music. Our selection process involved reaching out to artists from different regions to get a well-rounded representation of our community.

Archyde News: The festival’s motto, “Undresses nations to the rhythm of traditions,” is very evocative. How does the event embody this vision of breaking down barriers through art?

Jeremie Kistabish: It’s all about the power of rhythm, storytelling, and shared experience. The music transcends language, and the dance tells stories that everyone understands. We want to honor our traditions via dance. We will try to bring the Aboriginal culture as much as possible through shows. We hope that through this focus on tradition, we can invite everyone to enjoy. We are inviting you all to share in what makes us special, to listen, and to connect.

A Unifying Event

Archyde News: The turtle logo is a beautiful symbol of the festival’s theme. Why was the turtle chosen to represent this event?

Jeremie Kistabish: The turtle holds deep meaning in many Indigenous cultures. It represents Mother Earth, long life, wisdom, and protection. It’s a symbol of unity and stability, perfect for an event aimed at bringing people together. as a symbol, it went hand-in-hand with the festival’s goal: to bring together various Indigenous communities to build friendships and showcase the beauty of our heritage.

Archyde news: The Mama8i Nikamo festival is a great inspiration! What is the message you want to share?

Jeremie kistabish: Our hope is that our first edition helps us start a unifying event.We hope it will also help us find a community – the artists, those interested in art, and all those who want to make intercultural exchanges. We seek to learn a bit more about indigenous artists on Indigenous culture through music. We want to show how beautiful Indigenous culture is, and we are excited for our community and the world to share in that beauty. we want to inspire similar events.

Archyde News: Thank you so much for your time,Jeremie. We are looking forward to the Mama8i Nikamo festival, and we’re eager to see how it fosters community and celebrates Indigenous culture. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Jeremie Kistabish: Just that we encourage everyone to visit our website for tickets and data.We also have a playlist curated with our artists’ music on Spotify to get everyone excited. We hope to see you there!

Get Your Tickets Today

Archyde News: Thanks, Jeremie. We are so excited for this event. With Indigenous music and art, we can continue to expand our cultural horizon!

Archyde News: Readers, what do you think of the Mama8i Nikamo festival? How do you think such events can promote cultural understanding and community? Share your thoughts in the comments below!