Richard Lafferty

Sep 2

Richard Lafferty is a respected Metis fiddler from Zhahti Kue, Fort Providence, Northwest Territories.

He learned the Old Time and Metis fiddle songs from his grandfather, his uncles and from the Scottish and French settlers who traveled past his community on the Mackenzie River.

In 1960, Richard went to high school in Yellowknife and boarded at Akaitcho Hall where he learned the guitar and mandolin and played gigs with a band called “The Arctic Ramblers”.

Throughout his life, Richard has played for old time fiddle dance house parties to large event stages across Canada.

Richard Lafferty passed away December 21, 2021

Akaitcho Hall Students' Band Arctic Ramblers. Harvey McLure, Richard Lafferty, Bill Bourque, Gordy Cardinal (singer), Alfred Lockhart (drummer), Danny Macdonald, Isadore Tourangeau, Nick Sibbeston  NWT Archives, Akaitcho Hall collection, access… — Akaitcho Hall Students' Band Arctic Ramblers. Harvey McLure, Richard Lafferty, Bill Bourque, Gordy Cardinal (singer), Alfred Lockhart (drummer), Danny Macdonald, Isadore Tourangeau, Nick Sibbeston NWT Archives, Akaitcho Hall collection, accession number N-2000-002, item number 0029.

Fort Simpson 09-87 - Pope's visits-87 -- Concert - - Fiddle -- Guitar - Richard Lafferty [plays fiddle], Lloyd Cardinal, Tom Piche, Tony Buggins on guitar NWT Archives, Rene Fumoleau fonds, accession number N-1995-002, item number 7702.

Musicians of the Midnight Sun · Richard Lafferty Audio Interview

Interview Transcript

from the host:

“Richard Lafferty blog text I think I first met Richard Lafferty back in the mid 1980s at some local functions here in Yellowknife.

Over the years, we have shared stages at festivals, Arctic Winter Games, CBC True North concerts, Canada Winter Games, Olympic Cultural stages, talent shows and many other cultural and musical events in the north.

Richard is one of the most important fiddlers in the NT, I call them the torch bearers.

In Richard’s case, the Old Time and Metis fiddling songs and styles along with the history and the masters he remembers and learned from.

Richard is a respected musician in the north and has been celebrated by the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Saskatchewan for his knowledge and his musicianship and now celebrated here.”