By Will McGuirk
Born and raised in the Northwest Territories, Leela Gilday writes about the people and the land that created her. The power in her voice conveys the depth of her feelings of love and life in a rugged environment and vibrant culture, as if it comes straight from that earth. Leela’s family is from Délįne on the shore of Great Bear Lake and her rich vocals dance across the rhythmic beats of traditional Dene drumming as smoothly as a bass line onstage the largest venues in the country.
Leela’s fifth album "North Star Calling", released in fall of 2019, won the Indigenous Artist of the Year JUNO Award 2021.
Leela Gilday - “I have never played Hillside. I am really excited to play at the festival as I have heard many great things about it! I am bringing my full band and this last couple of months have been the first time back on the road since Covid. I am grateful to be able to share some of my new Dene language songs with the band.
Mahsi Cho”
