FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 11, 2025 CAFN Welcome all to the 2025 Da Kų Nän Ts’èddhyèt Dance Festival
Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) – Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) welcome everyone to our sixth Da Kų Nän Ts’èddhyèt Dance Festival this weekend, June 13 through 15, at Da Kų Cultural Centre in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction).
“Da Kų Nän Ts’èddhyèt means ‘Our house is waking up the land’ in our Southern Tutchone language,” said Dän nätthe äda K’úkhįá (Chief Barb Joe). “We truly are waking up our language, people and culture– revitalizing dän k’e, our ways. Chief and Council are looking forward to welcoming and hosting community near and far to our traditional territory, as we gather, share and celebrate together.”
Da Kų Nän Ts’èddhyèt is a biannual dance festival hosted every two years by CAFN at Da Kų Cultural Centre. The first festival was held in June 2015. This year’s’ festival features performances by more than 12 dance and singing groups from Alberta, Alaska and the Yukon.
“To prepare for the festival, Da Kų hosted a series of regalia sewing workshops for Citizens, and the Dakwäkäda Dancers have spent many hours practicing their song and dance. Coming together and connecting through our culture is the source of our people’s strength and something that must never be lost,” said Dän nätthe äda K’úkhįá.
Other dance festival highlights include an artisan market, food vendors, workshops, kids activities, local hip hop artists and a special guest appearance by Notorious Cree, a traditional hoop and powwow dancer from Northern Alberta. Admission is free.
CAFN has also unveiled a brand new exhibit at Da Kų Cultural Centre, titled Healing Through the Arts with more than 10 of its own Citizens artwork being revealed.
Da Kų Nän Ts’èddhyèt activities will begin at 5:00 PM Friday June 13 and run all day June 14-15. For more information and the full schedule please visit our website at cafn.ca.
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For festival inquiries:
Jenna Henderson
Retail, Events & Marketing Coordinator
(867)-634-3300
[email protected]
For media inquiries:
Mike Rudyk
Communications Manager
(867) 334-5749
[email protected]