Laura Vinson, the beloved Canadian country-folk singer-songwriter affectionately known as the “Rocky Mountain Lady,” has passed away at the age of 78. Her death marks the end of a remarkable era in Canadian music, one in which she helped pave the way for Indigenous representation in the country and folk genres—long before it was part of the mainstream conversation.
Known for heartfelt lyrics, soaring melodies, and a voice as clear and honest as the mountain air she often sang about, Vinson’s legacy goes far beyond music charts. She was a storyteller, a cultural bridge-builder, and a fearless voice for First Nations communities across North America.
A Voice Rooted in Heritage
Born in Jasper, Alberta, in 1947, Laura Vinson grew up surrounded by the majesty of the Rocky Mountains—a landscape that would go on to shape her artistic vision and inspire much of her musical work. A descendant of First Nations, Métis, and French Canadian ancestry, Vinson grew up steeped in the diverse traditions of the fur trade era. Her heritage was a source of both inspiration and adversity.
In interviews, Vinson often recalled how others tried to diminish her identity. One person once told her mother they were just “half a half breed”—a deeply offensive remark that would later become the foundation for one of her most powerful songs.
“I had people come out of the audience going, ‘You’ve just told my story,’” Vinson said of Half a Half Breed, a haunting track that confronted racism, identity, and belonging. “A young man came backstage at a festival and he was just holding onto me crying and he said, ‘I had no idea. I had no idea.’ He was sobbing.”
The moment deeply moved Vinson and served as a turning point in her career. From then on, she focused her art not only on the joy of music but on its ability to heal, educate, and connect.
Music Career and Touring Legacy
Vinson rose to prominence in the 1970s and ‘80s with a style that fused traditional country with folk storytelling and Indigenous musical elements. Songs like Sweet Mountain Music and Mes Amis O Canada showcased both her vocal range and her cultural roots, earning her acclaim in both English and French-speaking communities.
She toured extensively throughout Canada and Europe, even opening for legendary artists such as June Carter and Johnny Cash—an opportunity she described as “surreal” and “humbling.” But fame and fortune were never Vinson’s goals.
“She didn’t care much for the charts,” said her longtime manager and friend, Carol Mitchell. “She cared about making music that meant something—that told the truth about where she came from and what others like her had lived through.”
A Voice for the Voiceless
As her career progressed, Vinson became more vocal in her advocacy for Indigenous peoples. She used her growing platform to speak out against cultural erasure, systemic injustices, and stereotypes. Through storytelling, concerts, and community outreach, she provided a space for Indigenous youth and elders to be seen and heard.
Her album Warrior (2013), which turned out to be her final studio release, was a culmination of this mission. Blending traditional instrumentation with contemporary production, Warrior served as a tribute to Indigenous resilience. “It was her love letter to the people,” Mitchell added. “It was the album she was most proud of.”
Vinson also earned several accolades for her contributions to both music and social justice, including the prestigious 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
A Personal Life Among the Pines
In 2003, Vinson and her husband, environmentalist and musician John McEntyre, moved to a quiet property near Jasper. They spent the later years of their life together surrounded by the very wilderness that inspired her most enduring songs.
She continued to paint and write poetry, often donating her artwork and proceeds from small concerts to Indigenous charities and scholarship funds. “She was never idle,” said McEntyre. “Laura believed in using every day to give something back.”
Despite facing health struggles in recent years, including a brief hospitalization in 2024, Vinson remained optimistic and grateful. “She would sing to the trees,” McEntyre recalled. “Even on days when she couldn’t walk far, she’d sit outside and hum melodies to the wind.”
Tributes Pour In
News of her passing prompted an outpouring of emotion from fans, musicians, and Indigenous leaders alike. Social media was flooded with remembrances, stories, and favorite lyrics.
“So saddened to hear this. Laura was a gem. Her version of Poncho and Lefty still rings in my ears—such an amazing songstress and genuine talent. Rest in Peace, Laura,” one fan wrote.
Another tribute read: “Her soul will live on in the mountains of Jasper and the Willmore. I hope the sun always shines on her spirit, her family, and all those she touched.”
Canada’s Minister of Heritage, in a statement, called Vinson “a national treasure whose voice gave life to the stories we needed to hear. She was a bridge between cultures and generations.”
Legacy That Lives On
Laura Vinson’s music may no longer echo from the stage, but her impact continues to reverberate through generations of Indigenous artists, activists, and country music fans. Through her songs, her spirit lives on—bold, unflinching, and beautiful, just like the Rocky Mountains she called home.
She is survived by her husband, John, her sister Denise, several nieces and nephews, and a vast extended family across Alberta and British Columbia.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Indigenous Music Fund of Canada and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
A public memorial will be held in Jasper in early August, followed by a private family service.
“I never set out to be famous,” Vinson once said. “I just wanted to sing the truth—and help others find theirs.”
