Yukon Territory at Folk Music Ontario!

Music Yukon is thrilled to be heading to Folk Music Ontario this year, championing the incredible talent of four Yukon artists — Diyet & the Love Soldiers, Declan O’Donovan, Ellorie McKnight, and Ryan McNally. Each artist brings a unique sound to the stage, carrying the spirit and creativity of the Yukon to audiences across Canada.

We’re also proud to shine a spotlight on Maverick Cooperative, a Yukon-based company making waves nationally, who will host a special showcase featuring four of their own standout artists – Burnstick, Carmen Braden, Digawolf, Diyet & the Love Soldiers.

Diyet & The Love Soldiers are roots, alt-country and folk with a distinctive traditional vibe. Diyet’s music is rooted in a lived experience on her traditional territory of the Kluane First Nation. Her writing is introspective and vast, juxtaposing immense landscapes and remote communities while exploring modern Indigenous perspectives and northern life.
Official Showcase: Thursday, Oct 16 @ 8:50PM – Ballroom
Spotlight Showcase: Thursday, Oct 16 @ 12:00am – Capitale (Presented by Maverick Cooperative)

Declan O’Donovan’s music feels as much about emotion and immersion as anything easily traceable to an influence. Within the first bars of hearing Declan play, the precious, transcendent connection between music and human emotion is ignited… The beautiful melancholy of O’Donovan’s piano and the raw poetic rhythm of his voice is soul-stirring.
Official Showcase: Friday, Oct 17 @ 7:10PM – Ballroom
Community Folk Fest: Sunday, Oct 19 @ 2:15pm – St Charles Market

Ellorie McKnight is a bilingual singer-songwriter, old-time fiddler & square dance enthusiast living working and creating art on the territories of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council and the Kwanlin Dun First Nation in Whitehorse, Yukon. She is also a climate change researcher & educator, as well as an advocate for sustainable farming.  

Ellorie’s songs are shaped by delicate vocals, reflections of both the individual and collective human experience, and a nostalgia which invites wonder and dreaming. Vast landscapes, systems thinking and a wild heart influence her lyrics and melodies. Whether performing solo or with a band, her music invites listeners into deep emotion and contemplation about relationships, modernity, and what comes next.

Ellorie released her first solo EP in 2021, titled for the heart’s sake. Her newest 6-song EP Equinox was released in May 2024, recorded in studio as a live performance with full band.

Culture & Climate Sessions: Policy Recommendations: Friday, Oct 17 @ 11:00am – Ballroom C
Folk Dance Party : Friday, Oct 17 @ 4:00pm – Ballroom A/B
Official Showcase: Saturday, Oct 18 @ 6:40PM – Capitale
Private Showcase: Saturday, Oct 18 @ 11:20pm – Room #414
Community Folk Festival: Sunday, Oct 19 @ 4:15PM – St Charles Market

While he’s best known for his interpretative playing of traditional acoustic blues, jazz and old time music, audiences can’t help but notice the influence that Northern living has had on Ryan McNally‘s music.
For the past 13 years McNally has called Whitehorse, YK his home. Originally from rural southern Quebec, Ryan first discovered jazz and blues by uncovering a huge collection of ‘78 records that belonged to his grandfather. Then, as a teen, his curiosity for the sound and history anchored his love for the genres and it’s only grown stronger since.
His first album Down Home (2012), was recorded live by CBC North and received a feature on the popular radio show Saturday Night Blues, hosted by Holgar Peterson. In 2017, his second album, Steppin’ Down South was nominated for Blues Artist Of The Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. That year Ryan and his band, also had the privilege to perform for Prince William and Princess Kate during their visit to the Yukon.
McNally has become known for his diversity as a multi-instrumentalist. He plays guitar, harmonica, mandolin, violin and banjo, all in many different styles. Whether performing solo or with his band, his music is grounded in the legacy of the generations of players that came before him. All the while he continues to push the boundaries of his own signature sound.

Private Showcase: Saturday, Oct 18 @ 11:00pm – Room #419

Maverick Cooperative is a partnership of Margot Holmes of Caline Artists International and Debbie Peters of Magnum Opus Management to promote their rosters together and bring unique talent to stages, screens and hearts in Canada and around the world. This year at Folk Music Ontario, catch four of their artists in a special Spotlight Showcase on Thursday, October 16 in the Capitale Room starting at 11:00pm.