2021 AWARD NOMINEE
MUSIC IN THE ARTS
Cris Derksen
Indigenous Fashion Week
Juno nominated Cris Derksen is an Internationally respected Indigenous cellist and composer. In a world where almost everything — people, music, cultures — get labelled and slotted into simple categories, Cris Derksen represents a challenge. Originally from Northern Alberta, she comes from a line of chiefs from NorthTall Cree Reserve on her father’s side, and a line of strong Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music. As composer Derksen has a foot in many worlds: 2020 Compositions include: BC A History- a 4 part Docs-Series for the Knowledge network. Napi and the Rocks -A Symphonic story commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Same Wave- An 8 Part Choral Piece, commissioned by Camerata Nova Choir, The Triumph of the Euro-Christ an 8 part choral piece commissioned by the Art Gallery of Ontario And Indigenous Fashion Week a 4 part 45 minute Fashion Music Video. 2019 compositions include: Maada’ookii Songlines- a Mass Choral piece for 250 singers Commissioned by Luminato Festival. Rebellion – a short symphonic piece commissioned by the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Iron Peggy – a Theatre piece commissioned by the Vancouver Children’s Festival. A new performance art piece commissioned by the National Art Gallery of Canada, Ikumagiialit. As a performer Derksen performs nationally and internationally, solo and with some of Canada’s finest artists including Tanya Tagaq, Buffy Sainte Marie, Naomi Klein, and Leanne Simpson to name a few. Recent destinations include Hong Kong, Australia, Mongolia, Sweden, and a whole lot of Canada; the place Derksen refers to as home.
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