The 35th edition of the International First Peoples Festival swept through Montreal August 5-14, branching out to new venues with a growing diversity of Indigenous creative expression.
While downtown’s Place des Festivals remained the hub of activity, this year’s opening night was held in the Outremont borough with a drum ceremony from Kahnawa’kehró:non Elder Sedalia Fazio and a selection of short films.
Australian artist and activist Bunna Lawrie, known as a Whale Songman of the Yinyila Nation, paid tribute to Montreal’s Indigenous roots ahead of his Song to the Whales international collaboration. His vocal simulations of whale sounds mesmerized audiences.
“Imitating the whales, they love that,” said Lawrie. “It lights up their life to know they have humans out there who really love them.”
Powwow group Manitou Singers opened each evening’s major concert while Mohawk and Wendat traditional song and dance was performed every afternoon. As a heat wave gripped the city, kids played in fountains surrounding a turtle installation amidst towering illuminated teepees, a skate park, artisan kiosks and artwork by Christine Sioui.
“It’s important that these kids are shown the importance of Indigenous culture,” said Seayenna Fontaine Lee, who was invited to operate Native Montreal’s summer day camp at the fest. “The diversity is really cool, because all the kids are from different nations. They see themselves in some of the Elders and artists.”
The best of international Indigenous cinema competed for the festival’s prestigious awards. Highlights included opening short Midnight at the Lonely River by Abraham Côté from Kitigan Zibi, who got his start with Wapikoni Mobile; Inkwo, an animated film by Dene filmmaker Amanda Strong; and Mexican short Vientre de la luna, the first film by Tsotsil director Liliana K’an.
Inuit culture was featured in “Slow TV” documentary series Sanajiit (Inuit Makers) and When the Birds Return, an exhibition from 25 Inuit artists on view at La Guilde until September 13. Other Indigenous exhibits and concerts were presented throughout August, including film screenings in Kahnawake in collaboration with the Eastern Connection Film Festival.
Along with the world premiere of Florent Vollant: Innu, screened at Outremont Theatre on August 8, Innu music was featured on the main stage the following night with performances by Maten, Shauit and Native Mafia Family. A unique concert entitled Les passeurs showcased the songs of Atikamekw Elder Jacques Newashish and Wendat artist Andrée Lévesque-Sioui on August 10, accompanied by the band Forestare.
Portland-based “powwow punk rockers” 1876 rocked the Place des Festivals August 8, representing the Northern Cheyenne and Blackfeet Nations. Opening the show was Cree-Naskapi rapper Kong, better known as Steve Einish at his day job with the Cree Nation Youth Council.
“That is a dream come true for me to share who I am at a festival like this in Montreal,” said Einish. “Even though I’ve done shows with bigger audiences, this one brought me back to humble myself.”
Reminiscing about watching Algonquin rapper Samian on the same stage years ago, Einish didn’t imagine that one day he’d have such an opportunity. Kong has had a mighty rise since securing an opening gig for G-Unit star Tony Yayo in 2023, following that up with shows alongside big names like Lloyd Banks, Method Man, Redman, Flo Rida and Afroman.
His initial contact with the First Peoples Festival last year was disappointing. It was suggested he perform songs in Cree rather than English. However, after sharing the “Chiiyaanuu” music video earlier this summer, featuring CJAY GRiZ and shot at the 2024 Eeyou Istchee Summer Games, the festival reached out to him.
“I didn’t let it bring me down, continued making music from the heart,” Einish told the Nation. “I put my experiences in the music, stuff I’ve been through. I’m being real and honest – you can’t fake the funk, you know?”
Montreal saw the “Kong and Friends” version of the artist, with rappers like Kahnawake’s Will E. Skandalz getting the opportunity to shine at the mic. Einish said that’s just how he is, getting his start in the industry as the manager of Naskapi duo Violent Ground.
“I started as a person trying to help other artists reach their goals,” explained Einish. “The pandemic happened and we kind of drifted apart, but we’re talking of future features we’ll be working on. I started creating my own stuff in the pandemic and here we are.”
After the summer’s shows, including a short set at Chisasibi’s 90s dance with MC Mario, Einish plans to complete an album. He’s hoping to release it by next summer, with a tour of cities and reserves across Canada to follow.
As a trusted voice among Cree youth, Einish is becoming a popular motivational speaker. He made presentations in Waswanipi’s schools in April and was preparing to visit youth in Nemaska. Einish’s message hits with more impact because he’s from the region and overcame significant adversity to reach his dreams.
“I grew up with what they’re dealing with,” said Einish. “I try to inspire youth to think bigger than what’s in the reserve and not think whatever they’re going through is the end of the world. What I’m doing now is like my third chance in life and I’m just trying not to ruin it.”
After Einish’s mother died when he was 15, he passed through group homes, foster care and juvenile detention before landing in prison. With a troubled past in Whapmagoostui, it was especially meaningful to perform for the inaugural Whapmagoostui Day celebration on August 4.
He slowed it down for a final dedication to loved ones lost with an emotional version of “I’ll Be Missing You.” As many tearfully held up their phones and waved their hands, Einish reflected on how his home community that used to send him south to prison was now flying him up. A week later he was on one of Indigenous music’s biggest stages in Montreal.
“I made the full circle back and I apologized to my community,” Einish shared. “I showed them what I can do, how I changed my life around. That was magic, that feeling.”