PROFILES
PROFILES
Canadian Aboriginal Women (Part XII)
By Essam Farag
During my convocation ceremony at the University of Guelph in February 2004, a special person was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws. This woman was Dr. Roberta Jamieson, an Aboriginal lawyer and distinguished Canadian celebrity. Her powerful and moving lecture stuck in my memory and challenged me to write about the achievements of Aboriginal woman in all aspects of Canadian society - a sector of the Canadian fabric that is seldom recognized. This article is a continuation of the articles presented in the last ten issues, which was dedicated to Dr. Jamieson and all women belonging to minority groups in appreciation for their contributions.
On the historic day of June 11, 2008, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly apologized to native Canadians in the House of Commons for a government policy of taking natives from their families and forcing them to attend state-funded Christian schools up until the 1970s.
This series about Canadian Aboriginal Women, seeks to make the world more knowledgeable about the Aboriginal population and challenge youth around the world to strive to achieve success regardless of the hurdles they might face, with the dream of creating a better society for future generations. Interestingly, the 2001 Canadian Census figure indicate that about 500 aboriginal people (Indians, Metis and Inuits) have doctoral degrees, about 1,500 have Masters' degrees and about 14,000 have undergraduate degrees.
These articles present the profiles of exemplar aboriginal women who are carving the way for the future of their communities. In part XII, I present the interesting profile of Susan Aglukark.
Susan (Ooliniq) Aglukark
Uniquely original, yet decidedly traditional, Susan (Ooliniq) Aglukark is a leading voice in Canadian music, blending Inuktitut and English languages with contemporary pop music to tell the stories of the Inuit of Arctic Canada.
She is one of Canada's most unique artists, and a leading voice in Canadian music. The emotional depth and honesty of her lyrics; her pure, clear voice and themes of hope, spirit, and encouragement have captivated and inspired listeners from all walks of life.
The University of Calgary conferred an honorary degree on Canadian singer/songwriter during their summer 2011 convocation ceremonies. The degree is the university’s highest honour, conferred upon individuals who have distinguished themselves from others and who have achieved an exceptional standard of excellence in their chosen field.
Aglukark, was born in Churchill, Manitoba in January 1967 and was raised in Arviat, Northwest Territories (now in Nunavut). After graduating high school, she worked as a linguist with the Canadian Government’s Department of Indian & Northern Affairs in Ottawa. Upon returning to the Northwest Territories, she worked as an executive assistant with the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. It is during that time that she began to perform as a singer, and quickly became a popular performer in Inuit communities, attracting the attention of the CBC, who included her in a compilation of Arctic performers.
I
n 1992, she released an independent album, Arctic Rose. Aglukark’s first music video, “Searching,” released on the album Arctic Rose, won a MuchMusic award for cinematography. The following year, she signed to a major record label, releasing an album of Christmas music that year. Her album This Child featured songs in Inuktitut and English and the single “O Siem,” which climbed to number one on the Canadian charts and made her the first Inuk with a Top 40 hit. To date, her six albums have sold close to 450,000 copies in Canada alone.
Susan's genuine concern for others combined with her political & social awareness, lead many to view her as a role model. She is also rapidly becoming known as an uplifting motivational speaker, able to reach both youth and adult audiences alike.
While quite popular in Canada, Aglukark has a wide-spread international following, and has performed for many famous people including: Queen Elizabeth II (twice), former Canadian prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Brian Mulroney, former French president Jacques Chirac, former South African president Nelson Mandela and Billy Graham. Equally important she has appeared and performed across Canada and the Arctic.
Aglukark has earned many awards, including three Junos; the first-ever National Aboriginal Achievement Award in Arts & Entertainment, and the Canadian Country Music Association's Vista Rising Star Award. She became an officer of the Order of Canada in 2005. She is the distinguished scholar in residence with the University of Alberta.
With Aglukark's Juno-winning catalogue -- the singer has her sights firmly on touring and the continuation of her activist work. As an artist that clearly never strays far from her roots or the people of Arctic Canada, where she grew up; her ultimate message to all Aboriginal people is, "learn to be yourself and believe in that person" – a message that clearly touches all people, everywhere.
Other Articles
in Series and Sources:
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part I," The Ambassadors Magazine, Profile section. Vol. 9, Issue 19 - January 2006. http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue19/profile2.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part II," The Ambassadors Magazine, Profile section. Vol. 9, Issue 20 - July 2006. http://ambassadors.net/arcives/issue20/profile2.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part III," The Ambassadors Magazine, Profile section. Vol. 10, Issue 21 - January 2007. http://ambassadors.net/arcives/issue21/profile3.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part IV," The Ambassadors Magazine, Profile section. Vol. 10, Issue 22 - July 2007. http://ambassadors.net/arcives/issue22/profile3.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part V," The Ambassadors Magazine, Profile section. Vol. 11, Issue 23 - January 2008. http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue23/profile5.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part VI," The Ambassadors Magazine, Profile section. Vol. 11, Issue 24 - July 2008. http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue24/profile2.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part VII," The Ambassadors Magazine, Profile section, Vol. 12, Issue 25 - January 2009. http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue25/profile4.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part VIII,"
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part IX,"
http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue27/profile6.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part X,"
http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue28/profile6.htm.
Essam Farag. "Canadian Aboriginal Women - Part XI,"
The Ambassadors Magazine,
Profile section, Vol. 14, Issue 29 - January 2011.
"Outstanding Women, " Aboriginal
Canada Portal. http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/en/ao26598.html.
"Aboriginal Faces of Saskatchewan - Women". http://www.sicc.sk.ca/faces/women.htm
Essam Farag, BA Honours (Dalhousie), MA
(Guelph) is the Production Editor of the Ambassadors Magazine. Email: essamfarag@ambassadors.net
