Leela Gilday
A passionate singer-songwriter and soulful performer, Leela Gilday’s voice comes from the heart of the north, weaving within it stories of the land, water and voices of her people.
She was born and raised in the Northwest Territories, where her family is from Délįne (Dene Nation) located on the shores of Great Bear Lake. Leela has used her artistry to expand awareness of the Dene Nation, express a stance against resource extraction, and send out calls for justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, addressing systemic barriers and colonial trauma that Indigenous people face with resilience. Recently Leela has focused on reclaiming her Dene language and her songwriting reflects that act of radical healing: her forthcoming record is entirely in the language. Recognized with a SOCAN “HER” Music Award, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, several Aboriginal Peoples Music Awards and Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, and two JUNO Awards for Indigenous Music Album of the Year, Leela’s voice continues to be a powerful advocate for her people.
