Kris Kinokewin

What sets the Atikamekw Nation apart is the exceptional vitality of its mother tongue. Singer-songwriter Kris Kinokewin proudly carries it. Through his songs, he helps keep his roots and his mother tongue alive. A craftsman of words and music, he carries within him a precious heritage for humanity, the keeper of a memory the whole world would gain from knowing and discovering.

From the community of Wemotaci, Kris brings his traditions into a contemporary world whose echo longs to be heard beyond the rivers and mountains. Influenced by the folk singer-songwriter tradition, his music carries the authenticity of world music. He says that singing is an act of resilience, pride and cultural inclusion. Emotion, identity and commitment come alive through his sung poetry.

At 56, with a long record of musical collaborations behind him, Kris Kinokewin is still a young wolf, growing his audience day by day, song by song. Now comes the call to make this ancestral heritage part of our shared history. Listen to him travel through his beautiful repertoire, and you will come away culturally richer.