Edmonton-based singer-songwriter Donita Large has released The Ancestors, a full-length album that blends Indigenous tradition with contemporary folk, blues and rock influences, marking a defining moment in her artistic evolution and reinforcing her growing presence in Canada’s independent music landscape.
Out now, The Ancestors positions Large as both a cultural storyteller and a modern recording artist. A lifelong performer who has appeared on renowned stages including Carnegie Hall, Large describes her sound as “folk with Indigenous sizzle,” a style rooted in her Cree heritage and shaped by years of performance, collaboration and musical exploration. The album is deeply informed by stories of the land, ancestry and lived experience, offering listeners a work that is as reflective as it is resonant.
The project is the result of an extensive collaborative process that brought together award-winning and internationally recognized talent. Large partnered with Grammy-winning producer Chris Birkett and guitarist and co-producer Anthony King to craft an album that spans folk, blues, rock, country and Cree traditional sounds. Recording sessions took place in Toronto and Los Angeles, before concluding at Riverdale Recorders in Edmonton.
The result is an album that highlights Large’s vocal range, from a commanding low register to soaring high notes, paired with songwriting that emphasizes narrative depth and emotional clarity. The musicianship throughout the record is deliberate and layered, reflecting what the artist describes as a commitment to creating music that resonates physically and spiritually.
Listeners are introduced to the album’s themes with the opening track “Sweetgrass,” a reflective acoustic piece centred on balance, gratitude and ancestral guidance. The song combines warm guitar lines, upright bass and hand drum rhythms, underscored by Large’s vocals delivering the line, “Mind, body, and spirit / All connected as one.” The track establishes the album’s tone as both intimate and expansive, connecting contemporary listeners to Cree traditions and pathways of healing.
The album’s technical scope is reinforced by Birkett’s production experience, which includes work with Sinéad O’Connor, and by King’s guitar arrangements. One of the album’s standout moments is a rearranged cover of the rock anthem “Run to the Hills,” featuring Los Angeles–based bassist Derek Frank and drummer Matt Hankle. The track reframes the original material within the album’s broader themes of memory, conflict and resilience.
Thematically, The Ancestors explores truth, reconciliation and the complexities surrounding the idea of reconciliation itself. The song “After The Battle” questions leadership rooted in aggression, emphasizing the human cost of conflict and the absence of true winners. The piece unfolds with a haunting chant and cinematic storytelling that evokes the aftermath of war, while calling for humility, unity and recognition of interconnectedness.
Another emotionally resonant track, “Kokom” (Grandmother), reflects on love, loss and remembrance. The song captures the enduring presence of those who have passed and the regret of conversations left unfinished, expressed through the longing to “rewind our song.”
Taken together, the album functions as both a personal statement and a broader cultural contribution. By honouring her ancestors and the stories of Treaty Six Territory, Large positions heritage as a living force rather than a static reference point. The Ancestors stands as a celebration of Indigenous strength and continuity, and as a work that aims to leave a lasting imprint on the Canadian musical canon.
To mark the album’s release, Donita Large & The Small Band will launch a series of live performances beginning with a one-night-only album release concert on February 8, 2026, at the Backstage Theatre at Fringe Arts Barns. The group will also appear at the RavenWood Music Festival on July 12, 2026. The live shows will feature Anthony King, Alan Tymofichuk, Mira Angela, Harry Gregg and Jamie Cooper, bringing the full spirit and sound of The Ancestors to the stage.
