The bio on Cris Derksen’s website says it well: The “Juno-nominated and classically trained cellist and composer braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music.”
In 2018, the half-Cree, half-Mennonite musician from northern Alberta wrote a piece for the Eybler Quartet. Titled “White Man’s Cattle,” the piece had its world premiere at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity last summer.
In the video below, Derksen talks about her ancestry and how it informs compositions like "White Man's Cattle."
More videos:
Watch: Foothills bids Doug Klassen farewell
Watch: "I Am a Mennonote" trailer
Watch: International Witness update
Watch: "77-76" by Royal Canoe
Watch: Raw Carrot at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church
Further reading:
Vancouver Peace Choir builds bridges
Cellist and composer Cris Derksen grew up in northern Alberta. (Photo courtesy of CrisDerksen.Virb.com)
Add new comment
Canadian Mennonite invites comments and encourages constructive discussion about our content. Actual full names (first and last) are required. Comments are moderated and may be edited. They will not appear online until approved and will be posted during business hours. Some comments may be reproduced in print.