Laura Niquay

Biography

Laura Niquay is the first Atikamekw artist to perform at the FrancoFolies de Montréal, in 2011. Since her debut album, Awacic (2005), recorded with her uncle Arthur Petiquay, she has brought the Atikamekw language to the biggest stages in Québec and beyond — from Petite-Vallée to Chile, from the FME to the Francos.

Her album Waska Matisiwin (2021), longlisted for the Polaris Prize, earned her the Félix for Indigenous Artist of the Year and for Album of the Year – Indigenous Languages at the 2022 ADISQ Gala, along with that year's Teweikan awards, following the SOCAN Foundation's TD Indigenous Songwriter Award in 2021. In 2024, she passed her language on to young children with Comptines Atikamekw – E Aistahiak.

On 6 November 2026, she released Nir Wactenama (“Moi, lumière” — “I, light”): a new album and show with deep blues textures, backed by an all-women band. On 20 November, she is the guest of honour of Musique Nomade's 20th anniversary night at Quai des Brumes, as part of the Mundial Montréal OFF.

Stages and milestones

First Atikamekw artist at the FrancoFolies de Montréal (2011) · TD Indigenous Songwriter Award — SOCAN Foundation (2021) · Waska Matisiwin — Polaris Prize long list (2021) · Félix for Indigenous Artist of the Year and Album of the Year – Indigenous Languages — ADISQ 2022 · Teweikan awards (2022) · Nir Wactenama — new album, 6 November 2026 · Musique Nomade 20th anniversary night — Mundial Montréal OFF, 20 November 2026

Discography

Awacic (2005, with Arthur Petiquay) · Waratanak (2015) · Waska Matisiwin (2021) · Comptines Atikamekw – E Aistahiak (2024) · Nir Wactenama (6 November 2026)

Gallery

Calendar

• 20 November 2026 — Montreal, Quai des Brumes — Musique Nomade 20th anniversary night (Mundial Montréal OFF nights) · 9:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

Show formats

• Concert — Nir Wactenama show (all-women band, blues textures)
• Folk concert — in Atikamekw