Aglukark, Clarkson tour Nunavik communities
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Mar 21/01) - Humanitarian work with a music career can produce one tough schedule to keep.
Schools in the Kivalliq region had only one week to prepare for Susan Aglukark's mini-tour earlier this month which brought her to six Kivalliq communities.
The tight schedule is indicative of the hectic pace being maintained by the popular Canadian recording artist, who donates almost as much time to humanitarian work as she does to her career.
Aglukark spent this past week touring Nunavik with Canadian Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson.
The whirlwind tour made stops in Kuujjuaq, Povungnituk, Inukjuak, Kangirsuk and Kangiasualujjaq.
"My scheduling has been so tight that the time I spent in the Kivalliq region was actually the only window of opportunity I had to spend some time in the region visiting with the kids," says Aglukark.
"Immediately following my Kivalliq tour, I set out with the Governor General and, after two days off, I began with the Children's Miracle Network who I do a lot of work with."
After a hectic month of performing for Kivalliq kids, and taking the time to talk with them about their futures and various social issues, touring with the Governor General and working with the Children's Miracle Network -- Aglukark will finally find the time to concentrate on her singing career.
"After I finish with the Children's Miracle Network I go on a six-week tour with Tom Jackson, so I'm booked for the next three months solid.
"I'm glad we made the Kivalliq tour work and I was very impressed with the Governor General when asked to accompany her on the tour of Nunavik.
"She impresses me as being interested and concerned with issues facing Inuit, all aboriginal people for that matter, and she's very knowledgeable of the North and our culture."
