Cris Derksen, a well-known Indigenous cellist and composer, tragically passed away in a car accident on May 15, at the age of 45. They were driving home from their father’s funeral near Slave Lake, Alberta.
An obituary in the states that “Derksen was a beloved fixture on Canada’s classical and stringed music scene. Their style sometimes fused modern electronic sounds and Indigenous rhythms. Derksen was known as a generous mentor.”
“Derksen hailed from the North Tallcree reserve in Northern Alberta, and their heritage was both in Cree and Mennonite traditions. They attended Victoria School for the Performing Arts in Edmonton and received a bachelor of music at UBC, where Derksen was principal cellist with the UBC Symphony Orchestra.”
In 2009, Derksen served as the curator in residence at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. They traveled and performed internationally including in Europe Mexico, Sweden, Australia and the United States. They performed with the Beat Nation Live Collective, Kanye West, Kinnie Starr, Tanya Tagaq, Rae Spoon, and traditional powwow groups.
Derksen’s website bio notes that “their unique sound began to take shape in 2006 when Derksen started performing with Tanya Tagaq, using multi-effect guitar pedals to make the cello more relatable and innovative. Their debut album, The Cusp, remains a staple on national radio and is frequently licensed for television and film.”
“A staple of the Canadian Folk Fest circuit since 2007, Derksen has performed with a quartet and various indie rock bands. In 2016, they released Orchestral Powwow, blending symphonic elements with powwow music-a project performed with symphonies and arts festivals across Canada-marking their return to classical roots.”
As a soloist-composer, Derksen played with 15 different symphonies and chamber orchestras across Canada. They’ve been commissioned by prestigious ensembles such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra , Thunder Bay Symphony , and Orchestre Métropolitain.
In 2022, Derksen composed for the Canadian Pavilion at World Expo Dubai , and will also compose for World Expo Osaka in 2025. Work on Connie Walker’s podcast Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s earned both a Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award. In 2024 , Derksen will have their Carnegie Hall Debut performing Controlled Burn commissioned by Yannick Nézet-Séguin alongside Orchestre Metropolitan.
Derksen worked with Royal Winnipeg Ballet , and wrote Cikilaxwm: Controlled Burn -a ballet lasting seventy-five minutes-for Ballet Kelowna featuring Indigenous choreographer Cameron Fraser-Monroe.
They were dedicated to promoting diversity within classical music. Through founding Indigenous Classical Gathering at Banff Centre for Arts , serving as Artistic Advisor for Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra , and chairing Equity Committee for Orchestras Canada-they strived to make classical music reflect Canada’s diverse population while opening doors for BIPOC composers and performers.
In 2009 , they told Exclaim!, “I don’t really have a genre that I fully fit into which I think is good thing. I have whole bunch of different audiences-I have almost specifically Aboriginal audience; an indie queer audience ; an older art-folk audience. As musician it ‘s super helpful-I can play lot of different venues same city.”
In 2015 , the Orchestral Powwow Project album of Derksen produced partnered independent record label Tribal Spirit Powwow. During making this album ; they utilized Tribal Spirit’s library powwow music resource incorporating some traditional songs found this library into project.
In 2019 Art Gallery Ontario commissioned them create new choral work inspired Early Rubens exhibition. Also that year; they composed Maada’ookii Songlines-a choral piece involving two hundred singers-as part Luminato festival. Alongside Christine Tootoo Jamie Griffiths; they participated performance piece called Ikummagialiit which commissioned National Gallery Canada during Àbadakone exhibition focusing Indigenous art.
Derksen released four acclaimed albums: The Cusp (2010), The Collapse (2013), Orchestral Powwow Project (2015)and The Visit (2025).
The Cris Derksen Trio featured drummer Jesse Baird dancer Nimkii Osawamick ; her composition Maada’ookii Songlines involved two hundred singers.
Their career spanned multiple award nominations including Indigenous Music Awards Juno Awards instrumental album year (for Orchestral Powwow Project), Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Western Canadian Music Awards.
A performance scheduled Sled Island festival Calgary June had been planned before news tragic passing spread leading outpouring tributes from musical colleagues industry members alike
Derksens booking agency AIM shared this tribute : “It is profound shattering sadness we share news sudden passing our dear friend client visionary artist Cris Derksenhaving died car accident yesterday.”
“To know Cris was know force nature. They fiercely authentic deeply generous brought uncompromising spirit everything touched. Their art reflected soul : poignant powerful grounded heritage relentlessly innovative At AIM we devastated loss someone who so much more than client – family.”
“We extend deepest heartfelt condolences her family loved ones Indigenous arts community everyone moved incredible work thank you Cris sharing light fire music us left indelible mark world song echo hearts forever”
Friend collaborator Tanya Tagaq posted tribute Instagram : “You’ve been part my life long time danced hard broke foot twice miss already crazy adventures music helped me when daughter injured loyal honest soft “
The Canadian Music Centre Facebook stated : “On behalf CMC team I deeply saddened learn tragic passing Cris Derksenhour hearts go out Cris family friends all those worked them”
“I want acknowledge tremendous impact Cris has contemporary through compositions performances. They composer cellist mentor collaborator strong voice from indigenous community inspiring much more It felt like Criss career soaring varying opportunities such performance Carnegie Hall work ‘Controlled Burn’ performed l’Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal Soar onwards Cris!”
Kathleen Allan artistic director Amadeus Choir Greater Toronto Chorus Niagara issued statement regarding Demrsken’s passing.”We are devastated loss extraordinary artist visionary composer human being whose work exposed raw difficult truths while leading compassion humanity hope Their challenged listen deeply one another world around us take meaningful action create change concert stage.”
“Working them commissioning premiere subsequent performance Mass Nîpiy Prayer Water transformative artistic experience my career defining moment Amadeus Choir community What began centred water sovereignty evolved through vision universal call collective responsibility protection care one another world share That message spirit carried remains urgent meaningful ever “
“Just days before passing joined Amadeus Choir Toronto landmark performance alongside Andrew Balfour Sherryl Sewepagaham concert many recognized life-changing now even profound retrospect Since our spoke again again responsibility now carry ensure this continues be heard We carry message forward deep gratitude renewed passion continuing work “</ pd>< h1 / c o n t e n t s f o u n d i n r o g e r e m v e s h l y w i t h b y t h e c o m m o n w i f i n d i v i d u a l s u s k f o r y o u r c t }
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