JAMES BAY FIDDLE

EEYOU MUSIC AND DANCE TRADITIONS
JAMES BAY, CANADA

Since 2011, Frances has been working on various projects exploring Eeyou music and dance traditions in the James Bay region and their historical and musical connections to Scotland via connections with the Hudson's Bay Company from the late 1600s.

She has visited and conducted fieldwork in the region in Wemindji, Waskaganish, Chisasibi, Mistissini, Ouje-Bougoumou, Moose Factory and Moosonee.

8 years - 50 CONTRIBUTORS - 50 TUNES

Introductory film

This two-minute film, made by Frances Wilkins in 2014, gives a taste of fiddle-dancing in the James Bay region of Ontario and Québec.

  • An elderly man with gray hair and a beard playing a violin, wearing a blue striped shirt, sitting on a beige sofa.

    Photographic Exhibition Panels

    Explore Frances’ photographic exhibition, ‘The Cree Fiddlers of James Bay’, and learn more about the musicians and dancers of the region. The exhibition toured in Aberdeen, Derry and Wemindji (Québec) in 2012.

    View Gallery
  • Three musicians in a soundproofed music studio, one holding a violin and bow, a woman in the middle smiling holding a fan of black cards, and a man on the right holding an acoustic guitar, all smiling.

    Moose Factory Photos

    Visit Frances' photo gallery from her research into fiddle and dance traditions of James Bay and their historical connections with Scotland through the fur trade.

    View Gallery
  • A group of children and adults performing on stage with musical instruments, under colorful stage lights, one girl in a red and gold traditional dress standing center stage.

    Eeyou Istchee Photos

    Visit Frances' photo gallery from her research into fiddle and dance traditions of James Bay and their historical connections with Scotland through the fur trade.

    View Gallery
  • Black and white photograph of six women standing outdoors in winter clothing, smiling at the camera. They are wearing warm coats, scarves, hats, and boots. The background shows snow and some trees.

    Archive Photo Gallery

    Visit Frances' photo gallery from her research into fiddle and dance traditions of James Bay and their historical connections with Scotland through the fur trade.

    View Gallery
  • Three older men sitting on chairs playing musical instruments: an electric guitar, a violin, and a violin. Bottles of water on the floor nearby.

    Publications

    Find out more about articles, book chapters, and other writing by Frances on her research.

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  • People dancing in a large indoor room with audience members seated in the background.

    Introductory Film

    This two-minute film, made by Frances Wilkins in 2014, gives a taste of fiddle-dancing in the James Bay region of Ontario and Québec.

    Watch Film
  • An elderly woman and man sitting indoors, the woman holding a drum and the man playing a violin, both dressed casually and wearing hats.

    Film

    Frances Wilkins talks about her research into James Bay fiddle music, filmed as part of the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Cape Breton, October 2015.

    Watch Film
  • Photograph of a museum or exhibit space with a large projection of a family playing musical instruments, labeled 'James, Daisy, and Treena Cheechoo, Moose Factory, January 2014, Kwisiekan/Soldiers Joy'.

    Nimitaau Exhibition Photos

    Learn more about the interactive touring exhibition, Nimitaau | Let’s Dance: Fiddle-Dancing Through Scots and Eeyou Culture.

    View Gallery
  • Poster for NimitaaU dance event featuring a stylized violin with geometric patterns and photos of musicians, text details about the event at Aberdeen University from July 11 to September 30, 2018.

    Nimitaau Exhibition Panels

    View the panel designs from the interactive touring exhibition, Nimitaau | Let’s Dance: Fiddle-Dancing Through Scots and Eeyou Culture.

    View Gallery
  • A woman with long, wavy blonde hair is smiling while looking at a sheet of paper, with a microphone headset on her head. She is in a room with dark walls, and is in front of a computer monitor, possibly giving a presentation or speech.

    Talks

    Frances Wilkins regularly gives talks on her research. Find out more and book her for your event here.

    Read More
  • Two people walking through snow towards a white church with a cross on top, set against a cloudy sky.

    Blog

    Gain an insight into Frances’ research journey through her blog. Started in 2011, Frances has used this to keep people updated on her fieldwork visits to James Bay and the people she has met as part of her research.

    Visit Blog

Funded by

Royal Society of Edinburgh
Foundation for Canadian Studies in the United Kingdom
Wemindji Cultural Department
University of Aberdeen