For over 20 years, Riddu Riđđu has highlighted one Indigenous peoples of the North through the program “Northern People of the Year,” honoring different Indigenous communities through people-to-people exchange and artistic expression. 

In 2025, the festival honors the nēhiyawak, also known as the Cree, as the Northern People of the Year. This year, the audience will have the opportunity to meet a diverse delegation of artists and cultural practitioners representing the nation. 

The nēhiyawak are the largest Indigenous group in Canada, residing from Québec in the east to Alberta in the west. Like many other Indigenous peoples, their culture is deeply rooted in nature, with strong ties to traditional ways of life. Historically known as “the nation of hunters,” they followed the migration of animals to gather essential resources such as meat, hides, and bones. Hunting and trapping remain vital aspects of life in many nēhiyawak communities. 

Their art and culture are powerful reflections of their connection to nature and spirituality and often serve as strong tools in the struggle for land and water rights. 

This conversation offers you the chance to become more familiar with the nēhiyawak. 

Language: English 

Moderator: Lindsay Knight aka Eekwol

Panel: Joseph Naytowhow, Shanley Spence, Patrick Mitsuing, Aysanabee and Melanie Badger

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