Akinisie Sivuarapik: the Future of Throat Singing

Artist Spotlight: Insights on the tradition from the 2021 Nord-du-Québec Artist of the Year.

Nän / Nün ch’i cha jų̃ kwa’ch’e uts’an kwäts’eden-ji
Akinisie Sivuarapik is shown from the mid-torso up, looking towards the viewer. She sits in a restaurant and wears a garment with a fur and beaded collar.

Originally from Puvirnituq, Nunavik, Akinisie Sivuarapik learned throat singing (katajjaniq) directly from her grandmother, Mary Sivuarapik. Since then, she has never stopped perfecting her technique to become a virtuoso and, above all, an exceptional ambassador of Inuit culture, in Canada and abroad.

Akinisie Sivuarapik is shown from the mid-torso up, looking towards the viewer. She sits in a restaurant and wears a garment with a fur and beaded collar.
Akinisie Sivuarapik and Sylvia Cloutier. COURTESY LA FABRIQUE CULTURELLE.TV.

Most importantly, Akinisie Sivuarapik is committed to passing on her passion and knowledge by teaching future generations. Complex and confusing, this ancestral art fascinates anyone lucky enough to hear a performance. It was the privilege of our team, who were able to witness the “game” — because, yes, throat singing is basically a game — between Akinisie and her good friend, Sylvia Cloutier, who is also a singer.

About the Prix du CALQ —  Artist of the Year in Nord-du-Québec

The Prix du Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) — Artist of the Year in Nord-du-Québec, with an amount of $10,000, aims to recognize an artist, or a writer or writer residing in the greater Nord-du-Québec region who stands out for the dynamism of her career and the excellence of her recent achievements. This award is the result of a collaboration between the CALQ, responsible for managing the program, the James Bay Regional Administration and the Avataq Cultural Institute, promoters of the call for nominations and the awarding of the award.

Credits:

Télé-Québec Mauricie | Center of Quebec | Lanaudiere
Cameraman-editor-director: Simon Laganière
Cameraman: Jean-Luc Daigle
Production technician: Stéphanie Collins
Coordinator: Patrick Douville

Thank You:
To Sylvia Cloutier, for her voice and her talent as an accompanist.
To the Avataq Cultural Institute , for collaboration and archival photos.
To  Simone, a neighborhood restaurant, for the welcome and the sea urchins. Yum!
To Julie Armstrong-Boileau and the team at the Musée d’art de Joliette.

Credit: This video was originally published by La Fabrique Culturelle.tv on January 18, 2022. COURTESY LA FABRIQUE CULTURELLE.

This story is part of the Nunavik Spotlight. View more content from the Spotlight here.