As the final chords of Tshinanu reverberated through Montreal’s Club Soda, nearly 30 artists encircled Florent Vollant, their voices merging into a chorus that transcended language and culture. “It’s the first time anything like this has been done for me,” the Innu icon whispered, his eyes glistening as he watched from the front row.
For the musician whose career spans over 35 years, the evening was a testament to a life spent building bridges. “The ‘home’ I sing about,” Vollant added, gesturing to the stage, “is one with its doors wide open to all who come in friendship.”
The Nikamutau Florent Vollant tribute concert and album launch on March 27 was more than a musical event. It was the culmination of a year-long project by Makusham Musique, the Indigenous-led label founded in Vollant’s home community of Uashat mak Mani-utenam.
With the project produced by his son, Mathieu McKenzie, the album features 15 reinterpretations of Vollant’s songs by artists spanning generations and genres, from folk icon Richard Séguin to Innu powerhouse Scott-Pien Picard, and Québécois stars like Vincent Vallières and Émile Bilodeau. The title, Nikamutau Florent Vollant (Let’s Sing Florent Vollant), reflects its collaborative spirit. Each track is a personal declaration of gratitude to Vollant, rooted in the themes of Indigenous linguistic sovereignty and reconciliation.
The evening began hours earlier, just blocks away, where the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) convened a Special Chiefs Assembly. United by urgency, the 43 Chiefs and Grand Chiefs advanced the Declaration on First Nations Languages Rights, a 46-article framework adopted in 2024 to combat the erosion of Indigenous languages. The declaration demands needs-based funding, recognizes First Nations’ jurisdiction over language revitalization, and asserts their role as stewards of linguistic sovereignty.
“Our languages embody our connection to ancestors and land,” said Sipi Flamand, Chief of the Manawan Atikamekw. “Their survival is non-negotiable because our languages embody our connection to our ancestors and reflect our precious relationship with the land… they are at the heart of our resilience and resistance.”
AFNQL Chief Francis Verreault-Paul agreed. “The celebration of our First Nations languages and cultures has always highlighted the strength of our ties and our sacred responsibility to pass them on, as well as the desire to hear them more and for a long time to come.”
After the afternoon assembly, leaders joined over 1,500 attendees at Club Soda, where music became policy in motion. For Vollant – co-founder of Kashtin, a member of the Order of Canada, and lifelong advocate for Innu-aimun – the night was a full-circle moment.
“Music has always been my way of breaking barriers,” he stated in a 2024 interview. “If my songs can inspire someone to learn a word in Innu, that’s a victory.”
After attending the assembly, Vollant and a large group of chiefs made their way along Ste-Catherine Street accompanied by the Black Bear drum group from Manawan. The procession stopped traffic and filled downtown Montreal with cheers and drumbeats.
Since suffering a cerebral hemorrhage in April 2021, Vollant has used a wheelchair, but the energy of the crowd and the solemnity of the moment made his arrival nothing short of triumphant. He was greeted with the burning of sage, and a standing ovation at the venue’s entrance. Comprised of Indigenous Elders, Québécois musicians, politicians and youth – the crowd embodied the “chez nous” ethos of Tshinanu.
“This began as a gesture of gratitude, but it grew into something bigger – a collective act of cultural stewardship,” explained Mathieu McKenzie. “I’m proud of Innu-aimun, passed down to me, and all our languages.”
For Makusham Musique, which operates alongside Vollant’s 20-year-old Studio Makusham, the project reinforces their mission to amplify Indigenous voices. “This isn’t an endpoint, it’s a spark,” stressed McKenzie. “My dream is to see our youth speak Innu-aimun as fluently as they sing these songs.”
Behind the scenes, the process was deeply personal. Marc Déry, who recorded his first solo album at Studio Makusham in 1998, recalled the raw emotion of those early sessions.
“The studio was barely finished back then, but Florent made it feel like home,” he said. “When he had his stroke in 2021, we all panicked. It woke us up to how much we needed him – not just as an artist, but as a friend.”
Then Déry added, “Taking part in the album and the concert is a way for a lot of us to say thank you to Florent and to his community for the way they welcomed us. It’s our turn to step across that bridge.”
AFNQL Chief Francis Verreault-Paul drew a direct line between the day’s political discussions and the evening’s festivities. “When we hear his songs in Innu-aimun, sung by artists of all backgrounds, it proves reconciliation is alive,” he said. “That’s when you realize we can move forward together, Innu and Québécois.”
The performances were as diverse as the lineup. Richard Séguin delivered a haunting rendition of Kassinu, his voice trembling with reverence. “Florent builds bridges,” said Séguin.
“He knows music can bring people together. It goes beyond politics, beyond time. What he creates is a meeting place for nations – not just between the Québécois and the Innu, but among Indigenous nations too. He welcomes them into his studio and helps them feel at home.”
Inuk singer Elisapie, who skipped the Vancouver Juno Awards to perform Takua at the concert, described Vollant as a “gatherer” whose influence transcends music. “He gives off incredible energy. He brings peace. When I see him, I suddenly feel calm, yet he also gives off an incredible energy,” she said.
Atikamekw artist Ivan Boivin-Flamand stated that this moment was impactful for all nations and all languages. “It fills me with pride to hear non-Indigenous artists singing in Innu – even though I’m Atikamekw from Manawan. It sends a message to the youth who don’t speak the language yet – if they can do it, you can too. I actually learned Innu through Florent and the people around him. That’s how close this all is.”
For Innu poet Rita Mestokosho, the moment symbolized Indigenous resilience. “Florent is a portage,” she said. “He’s made a path for others to follow – a crossing that welcomes everyone into the family.”
Chief Mike McKenzie of the Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Innu reflected on the broader cultural shift. “This event is a powerful symbol of how far we’ve come. We’re witnessing something extraordinary – a true exchange from nation to nation,” he said, before quoting Vollant’s 2021 ADISQ speech. “We’re not here just because we’re Indigenous. We’re here because we’re good.”