Remembering Cris Derksen

Cris Derksen Performing at the 2024 Folk Music Ontario Conference

Folk Canada is shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of renowned Cree cellist and composer Cris Derksen over the weekend.

Cris was a frequent performer at our member folk festivals and venues across Canada, and was represented by Folk Canada member Nicole Rochefort at AIM Booking Agency. There are many beautiful tributes to Cris that have been published in the media and on socials, including ones from CBC, Indigenous TV, and Roots Music Canada, we encourage you to take a moment to learn more about Cris, and their impact and importance in the music community.

Cris Derksen Performing at the 2024 Folk Music Ontario Conference

We at Folk Canada were privileged to get to know Cris over the years, and most recently, we hosted Cris as an official showcase artist at our 2024 Conference in Mississauga. An extremely talented individual, Cris wowed the audience with their talent and creativity, and made the Folk Canada staff laugh from our bellies over the "leftover cello incident of 2024" which we often think of when we need a smile.

Cris Derksen Performing at the 2024 Folk Music Ontario Conference

Cris' partner and artistic collaborator, Rebecca, was critically injured in the accident that took Cris' life, and we are sending our best energies toward their healing. We will continue to keep Cris' family, friends, and colleagues in our thoughts, and our memories of Cris in our hearts.