Going six years strong, Wake the Giant Music Festival is back this September 6 and ready to rock Thunder Bay’s Waterfront!
While it’s best known as a music festival, Wake the Giant is so much more. It’s a celebration of Indigenous culture, bringing community together, and offering a space for youth to find connection.
Back in 2019, Wake the Giant began as an initiative to create an inclusive and welcoming space for Indigenous youth, allowing them to connect with one another and the community. Each fall, many Indigenous students leave their communities, some for the first time, to attend High School in Thunder Bay. Leaving behind their family, friends and everything they’ve known, this festival serves as a warm welcome to everyone, offering a way to form connections and bond over music and celebration as the school year starts.
Music is often seen as a universal language, and Wake the Giant uses it to build bridges between cultures and community. Along with world-class top 100 artists every year -the Black-Eyed Peas set to headline in September-the festival also showcases an array of emerging and established Indigenous artists, many of whom come from remote communities themselves.
One unforgettable memory from 2021 captured the heart of the festival. DJ Shub performed with Northern Cree for the first time since their JUNO Award collaboration. During this performance, 30 Jingle Dress dancers took the stage, and a spontaneous round dance began in the crowd. It was a moment that captured exactly what the festival stands for, unity through connection, friendship, and love.
The festival has grown to become a staple event in the community, supporting local businesses and artists through live art installations, cultural experiences, local food vendors, and an Indigenous Craft Market. Exhibits you can look forward to are CBC’s It’s a Canada Thing booth and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Information panels while enjoying fresh Bannock made on site. It’s become a true community effort.
All funding raised from the music festival goes back into supporting community events and helping the students transition to life in the city. Throughout the rest of the year, Wake the Giant also provides cultural awareness education through an online training program. This course serves to educate participants on identifying racism and how to engage in anti-Indigenous racism strategies while also exploring Indigenous history, culture, and traditions.
We’re proud to have supported Wake the Giant from the beginning, standing behind its mission to uplift Indigenous voices, foster community connection, and ultimately bring people together through the power of music and culture.
