Iqaluit (Mar 13/06) - Tanya Tagaq Gillis, the woman whose voice sent her from Cambridge Bay to the world, has been given one more honour.

Tanya Tagaq Gillis, seen here during the Christmas holidays, has been nominated for a Juno in the Best Aboriginal Recording Category. The contemporary throat singer, who shares her time between Cambridge Bay, Spain and touring, doesn't want to get too excited about the nomination for fear she might "just explode." - photo courtesy of Tanya Tagaq Gillis

The multiple Aboriginal Music Award winner was nominated for a Juno in the Best Aboriginal Recording category for her album, Sinaa.

Reached at her home in Spain, where she spends half of the year with her partner Felipe Ugarte and their two-year-old daughter Naia, Gillis is happy to talk about the nomination, but warned the conversation could end at any time. She was caring for her daughter, her neighbour's two children and preparing dinner at the time.

"I have eight arms, you see," she said, "I am a natural octopus, as well."

Getting back on topic, she said it was hard to wrap her head around the nomination, especially after the year she had last year.

"I wasn't really expecting this," she said. "I was quite taken aback."

However, she said she is still excited, but more for the chance to meet and interact with other musicians than for the thought of actually winning.

"The people nominated in the same category are so amazing that I don't want to get my hopes up," she said.

The other nominees are a cappella trio Asani, bluesman Billy Joe Green, neo-urban ensemble Burnt Project 1 and contemporary rock act Eagle & Hawk.

Gillis, who is known for adding a contemporary and emotional twist to traditional throat singing, was the big winner at the 2005 Aboriginal Music Awards.

She won Best Female Artist, while Sinaa earned awards for Best Producer and Best Album Art.

She has also toured and collaborated with international music star Bjork, has an upcoming performance at the Global Diva event in Toronto, is participating in a London documentary and will be playing Carnegie Hall in New York with Kronos Quartet in late March.

"I am in musical love with them," she said of the group.

With all of these things on her plate, Gillis said she tries not to dwell on her recent success.

"If I let myself get excited, I might just explode," she said.

Spain is a great place to get away from it all, she said, where her daughter and the joys of Spanish cooking are her major concerns.

"I can focus on my baby and forget the rest of the world exists for a while."

When she goes on tour, she said she has to leave much of this world behind, including her daughter.

"I try to bring her along when I can, but if she gets sick, I have to cancel," she said. "That has happened before."

For now, Gillis said Naia stays with her father and a rotating cast of doting grandparents.

She's sure Naia doesn't mind too much, because "she gets to be more spoiled when I'm away."

At that point, the sound of a sad child interrupted the conversation.

"What's the matter, my love?" Gillis asked patiently.

The answer convinced her she had more pressing matters to deal with than talking to a reporter.

She said thanks and went to deal with that side of her life, an ocean away from her work and fame.

The awards will be given out April 2 in Halifax.