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THE INNU NIKAMU FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF ITS FESTIVAL FOR ITS 42nd EDITION AND CONFIRMS THE OFFSPRING AS THE HEADLINER ON JULY 31

Mani-utenam, June 16th 2026 – The Innu Nikamu Festival presented in partnership with Aluminerie Alouette and SiriusXM, and sponsored by Sept-Îles Toyota is proud to announce the return of its festival is proud to announce the return of the festival for its 42nd edition, which will take place from July 31 to August 2 in Mani-utenam, in the Côte-Nord region.

To kick off this new edition in style, the Festival is delighted to announce that American punk rock band THE OFFSPRING will be performing in a show presented by Aluminerie Alouette. The band will kick off the festival on Friday, July 31. A real coup for the organizers, this announcement marks a high point in the Festival’s history and testifies to its growing influence, both within the local community and among artists and festival-goers from far and wide.

A leading act on the international punk rock scene, THE OFFSPRING continues to bring together generations of fans thanks to its live energy, its unforgettable choruses and its impressive musical career. As the band continues its tour and adds more dates in Canada, the inclusion of Mani-utenamand the Innu Nikamu Festival in its schedule is a source of great pride for the organizers and an exceptional opportunity to introduce the Festival to an even wider audience.

“We are immensely proud to welcome THE OFFSPRING to Mani-utenam as part of the 42nd edition of the Innu Nikamu Festival. The band is much loved in the region and by our community, and their presence is a testament to the hard work of our entire team. We look forward to welcoming fans from all over, introducing them to our Festival and creating moments of sharing and exchange with the Mani-utenam community,” said Normand Junior Thirnish-Pilot, director of the Innu Nikamu Festival.

“It is with immense pride that we welcome The Offspring to our territory, in Mani-Utenam. The visit of a band of this stature is a landmark moment for our community and an exceptional opportunity to showcase our culture, our values and our language, Innu-Aimun. The Innu Nikamu Festival demonstrates once again that our territory is a place of encounter, sharing and openness,” says Norbert Fontaine, elected representative of Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam and chair of the board of directors of the Innu Nikamu Festival.

“The Innu Nikamu Festival is now firmly established as part of our summer traditions. As a long-standing partner, Aluminerie Alouette is delighted to be stepping up its support for this unmissable event by presenting a major headlining act! People from all over, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, will once again have the chance to enjoy an exceptional programme in a unifying venue, close to home,” said Claude Gosselin, President and CEO of Aluminerie Alouette.

For over four decades, the Innu Nikamu Festival has been a place for gathering, celebration and the passing on of culture. Every year, it brings together artists, families, Innu communities, Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous people in a spirit of respect, connection and sharing.

The full lineup for the 42nd edition will be announced shortly.

For more information, visit www.innunikamu.ca.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Innu Nikamu Festival would like to extend its warmest thanks to public partners, private partners, sponsors, collaborators, teams, volunteers, artists, the Mani-utenam community for their vital support in making this 42nd edition a success. Thanks to their commitment, the Festival can continue to promote Innu culture and offer an inclusive, accessible event that is deeply rooted in its community.

ABOUT INNU NIKAMU FESTIVAL

The mission of the Innu Nikamu Festival is to promote and celebrate Innu culture through music, dance, song and the arts. The Festival aims to bring together the Innu communities of Quebec and Labrador, as well as other Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, in a spirit of sharing and respect. The Festival takes place every year in August in Mani-utenam, on the North Shore. It is also recognised as one of the largest alcohol-free festivals in Canada.

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Source : Innu Nikamu Festival

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