Philip Stobo and his family immigrated from Glascow, Scotland to Fort Simpson, NWT in 1969 when he was 15 years old. In 1971, Philip moved to Yellowknife, to attend Sir John Franklin High School and lived in Akaitcho Hall, where he formed the band, “Mother, Flag and Country”. Philip’s insights and his experiences bring what could be described as one of the final pieces of the puzzle to fill out the dynamic tapestry of Akaitcho Hall bands dating back to the early 1960s.

In this interview, Inuit Musician/Singer/Songwriter William Tagoona chronicles his young musical life through the 1960s and 1970s. In his lifetime, William has been driven to fuse his love of popular music with his love for Inuit culture and most importantly, the Inuit language, Inuktitut.

Bill Gilday has lived a life full of passion for his music and his family. As a music educator in Yellowknife, he influenced generations of youth with his ambitious choir and band programs Bill was a founding member of “The Gumboots”, a six-piece group that played innumerable live shows and recording 4 CDs over a remarkable 25 year run.

Yellowknife Bass player Rob Wickson came of age surrounded by the vibrant local music scene in the early 1970s. He worked multiple day jobs, paying close attention to the musicians and to the music scene as it was unfolding. Later, Rob and Wayne Bertrand were joined by the late Brian Killeen and drummer Kim Ferrie to form the band “Sky Syrkle”.

Ray Dube caught the DC3 in Fort Smith, NT and landed in Yellowknife to attend Sir John Franklin High School in 1964. He boarded at Akaitcho Hall, joined the school music program and took up the Bb tenor saxophone. Ray started to play for dances at Akaitcho Hall and in town at the Elks Club with his band, “The Nomads”.

Born and raised in Sǫ̀mbak'è/Yellowknife, NT, Guitar player, Singer/Songwriter John Tees was a founding member of the celebrated band “Stained Glass Illusion” in the late 1960s.

Guitar player, Singer/Songwriter Wayne Bertrand was an active player in the vibrant Yellowknife music scene through the late 1960s. early 1970s and beyond.

Guitar player Sandy Wilson landed in the middle of the bustling Yellowknife music scene in 1972 and performed with the band “Friends” for many years

Jim Lawrance started playing guitar with rock and roll bands in the mid 1950s in NS, NB and PQ before moving north to Inuvik, NT in 1972.

Nick Sibbeston learned to play guitar in Łı́ı́dlı̨ Kų́ę́/Fort Simpson, NT, played through his residential school years then moved on to a life of public service, still with his guitar close by.

Gary Tees was a founding member and Bass player in one of Yellowknife’s first rock bands “Stained Glass Illusion” in the late 1960s. He also played with the band “Northbound Freeway” for decades.

Penny Ballantyne played piano between 1969 – 1971 with Yellowknife bands “Stained Glass Illusion” and in bands with her school teachers, Alex Czarnecki and Wilf Schidlowsky in “Easy Street” and “The Alley Cats”.

Randy Demmon grew up in Salmon Arm, BC and moved to Yellowknife with his family in 1969 to teach music. He performed with the band “Rainbow Valley”. Randy left Yellowknife to join the RCMP band in 1973.

John Telgen grew up in Prescott, ON and played with bands in the Toronto area before moving north in 1973. He drummed with many Yellowknife groups, most notably, the band “Friends” through the 1970s and 1980s.

Metis musician Peter Lafferty hails from Łı́ı́dlı̨ Kų́ę́/Fort Simpson, NT. He started playing guitar at 13 years old and toured southern Canada in the 1960s and 1970s before settling in Whitehorse, YT.

John Sigvaldason moved to Yellowknife with his family in 1969. He taught himself how to play guitar and went on to lead the band “Stonehenge” through his high school years before leaving to study music.

Inuvialuit singer and guitar player, Louie Goose is from Inuuvik/Inuvik, NT. He began playing music in 1961 and continues to perform today. Louie was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards in 2012.

Singer Pat Burke grew up in Tthebacha / Fort Smith, NT. In 1966, he went to high school in Yellowknife and boarded at Akaitcho Hall. Pat’s powerful voice has been featured on many stages and recordings over the decades.

In 1973, Roy Menagh and his family moved to Yellowknife where he taught music at Sir John Franklin High school. Roy was a tour de force, encouraging and facilitating community engagement with the arts throughout the north.

Johnny Landry began writing music in the early 1980s, fusing Dehghaot’ine tea dance songs with popular music. In 1995, his song, “Hina Na Ho Hine” was recorded by NU artist, Susan Aglukark. Johnny continues to write and perform in the Dene Zhatié language.