darla daniels

Folk | Americana | Country | Roots

Darla Daniels is a Métis singer-songwriter, fiddler, composer, and championship Red River Jigger from Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement, Alberta. Blending contemporary country, folk, and roots with the traditions of Métis fiddle, Daniels has developed a sound that brings heartfelt songwriting, cultural connection, and dynamic musicianship together.

A lifelong performer, Daniels has carried Métis music and culture onto stages across Canada and the United States, while continuing to establish her own voice as a contemporary recording artist. Her songwriting explores family, identity, resilience, relationships, ancestry, and connection to the land, with fiddle remaining a defining part of her musical identity without limiting where her music can go.

Whether performing an intimate original song, stepping into a theatre production, or bringing audiences to their feet with fiddle and Red River jigging, Daniels creates performances that move between storytelling, emotion, humour, culture, and celebration. Her work reflects both the traditions that shaped her and the evolving artist she continues to become.

Notable Performances

Edmonton Folk Music Festival – 2017, 2023, 2025, 2026
Hillside Folk Music Festival – 2026
Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Music Festival – 2026
K-Days - Edmonton, AB 2008, 2009, 2013, 2025
Sākihiwē Festival - Winnipeg, MB 2025
Mariposa Folk Music Festival - Orillia, ON 2025, 2026
The Winspear Centre - Edmonton, AB 2025
Back to Batoche Days – Batoche, SK 2006 - 2010, 2025
Alberta Métis Fest - Métis Crossing, AB 2024, 2025, 2026
Okimaw Awards - Edmonton, AB - 2023 - 2025
The Stratford Festival - Stratford, ON 2024
International Indigenous Music Summit - Toronto, ON 2024
Beaumont Music Festival - 2024
Servus Heritage Festival – Edmonton, AB 2010-2011, 2013, 2023
Taste of Edmonton – 2017
Mardi Gras - New Orleans, LA 2013
Great Blue Heron Music Festival – Sherman, NY 2012
Newport Celtic Rock Festival – Newport, RI 2012
South Buffalo Irish Festival – Buffalo, NY 2012
The Esquao Awards – Edmonton, AB 2009 & 2011
International Métis Festival – International Peace Gardens, ND 2011
The International Polar Year Launch - Ottawa, ON 2007

Media

CBC Radio – 2009, 2011, 2025, 2026
CFWE - 2023, 2025
CJWE - 2023, 2025
The Phosphenes Podcast – 2026
Telus Voices of Resilience - 2025
AGNT Spotlight Series - 2025
Underground Radio C - 2024
“Strings With a Dream”  – APTN 2012 
Global Edmonton 2009-2011
“The Mix” – APTN 2009
Big Dog 103.5 – Newcap Radio 2009

Discography/Recordings

"Music to Me" (single) – 2026
"1992" Debut Vocal EP - 2025
"Under The Moon" Rilie Lizotte
"#1 Hussy" - D'Orjay, 2025
“Nôcikiwikamikosihk” - W.T. Goodspirit, 2024
“Dancing Along",  2023 - Trent Agecoutay
From Feel to Flare, 2009
Bowing to Tradition, 2008

Awards

Country Music Alberta Awards - Specialty Instrument Player of the Year (Fiddle) Finalist (Provincial Top 5) 2024, 2025
Country Music Alberta Awards - Fan's Choice Finalist 2025
MSGC Arts & Culture Award 2023
Nominee and finalist for the Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards - Culture and Heritage 2011
The Young Woman of Vision Award - Grant MacEwan University, 2010
Overall Grand Championship Red River Jigging - JA Fiddle Fest, 2009
The Aboriginal Youth Female Role Model Award - CNFC, 2008