Sechile Sedare

Sechile Sedare (seh-chee-leh’ ‘seh-dahr-eh’) means ‘my younger brother, my older sister’ in the Dene language. And these sibling songwriters hit notes of nostalgia, hope, and humour in songs about their family history, connection to the land and water, and the twists and turns of fate.

This musical collaboration sees Jay and Leela co-write and co-create new repertoire together, harnessing their talents as deeply insightful and genuine storytellers. Their voices blend in perfect harmony, in songs created during lockdown in 2021 and during a residency at the Banff Centre.

Jay Gilday is a vagabond turned mailman, who has searched for himself in the depths of Folk, blues, traditional, rock and most recently soul music. As a half Dene, half Canadian-Irish man who travelled the roads of Canada in his youth, he weaves work, family, and performance into song. Jay performs with a powerful voice and heavy hitting guitar, finger-style or flat-picked, your choice!

Leela Gilday was born and raised in the Northwest Territories, and she 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 and bass line.

Leela Gilday – Awards & Accolades
2021 JUNO Award ** Indigenous Artist of the Year
2021 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award ** Social Voice
2021 Canadian Folk Music Award Winner ** Indigenous Songwriter of the Year (North Star Calling)

2 x 45 minute sets.

Photos by Olya Shendrik.

Single tickets are $30. Under 30 years is $10