Thursday, June 11th
6 pm
Student Center
This activity is aimed at people registered for the Forum.
Indigenous Musical Banquet: A Celebration of the Senses and Culture
Join us for a memorable evening where Indigenous music and cuisine come together in a spirit of sharing and connection. Guests will enjoy a meal inspired by Indigenous culinary traditions, accompanied by vibrant, authentic musical performances—an uplifting celebration of the cultural richness of First Peoples, both on the plate and on stage.
$70 per person | Limited seating – Reservation required
Mani-Pien
Originally from Mani Utenam, at the heart of the Innu Nation, Mani Pien Vollant has been working in the culinary field since 2006. Trained in institutional cooking, she has developed expertise in food service, collective kitchens, and food management in early childhood centres (CPEs), particularly in the creation of seasonal, adapted, and safe menus. A chef and entrepreneur behind the catering service Chez Mani Pien, she offers a distinctive cuisine that blends Indigenous culinary knowledge with contemporary influences. Committed to cultural sharing, she takes part in major events and leads culinary workshops, offering inclusive experiences rooted in tradition and open to the world.
ELISABETH ST-GELAIS
An Innu from the community of Pessamit and originally from Saguenay, Elisabeth St-Gelais places great importance on sharing her culture through her artistic mission. She is committed to reconciliation among Indigenous Peoples in Canada and proudly represents the Innu of the Côte-Nord, her Nation. She is a soprano who advocates for reconciliation with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Canada by including Indigenous works in her repertoire. You will have the opportunity to discover her artistry.
MATEN
Maten,consisting of Samuel Pinette, Mathieu Mckenzie, and Kim Fontaine—is an Innu band from Mani-utenam on Québec’s North Shore, rooted between the shores of the St. Lawrence River and the boreal forest.
Respected by their peers and long recognized by the public (nominated at the 2019 ADISQ Gala), Maten has released a fourth album with a confident, festive alternative folk-rock sound. One of the band’s defining characteristics is their commitment, expressed through their lyrics, to their community, their language, and their Innu roots. Their songs convey their values and culture, as well as pride in their identity. The message is strong and direct—forward-looking yet grounded in reality—addressing the challenges that communities continue to face.
