Lauren Solski
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 07, 2008

IQALUIT - Iglulik's Jimmy Qamukak, an acrobat with Nunavut's Artcirq, realized his interest in the performing art as a child after flipping from a cliff.

"I always knew I had an interest in acrobatics," Qamukak said.

Qamukak was born in Hall Beach on Dec. 11, 1988 and moved to Iglulik, where he was raised. Qamukak is a Grade 11 student at Ataguttaaluk high school in Iglulik.

In his earlier years at school, a friend brought him to watch a circus performance in town. Since that day, Qamukak said he wanted to be a part of acrobatic tricks and performances.

"I started stretching everyday so I would become better," Qamukak said.Seven years later, Qamukak is performing with Artcirq and has been all over the world including Mali, in West Africa.

"This (Artcirq) brings better futures for kids. It provides employment and opportunities to do something," Qamukak said. Qamukak, the youngest of nine children, said it is important for people to look out for their families.

"I'm trying to be independent."

Although that independence may be interrupted with the birth of his first child, Qamukak said he is looking forward to raising a child with his girlfriend, Daisy Irqqaraqsaq.

"I'm very excited to be a father," Qamukak said.He doesn't have a preference for the gender of the baby, but hopes the baby is healthy. Along with being healthy, Qamukak said it is important that Inuit tradition will be kept alive in his baby. If the baby is a boy, Qamakuk plans to take him hunting.

"I've been hunting all my life," said Qamukak, who has hunted seals, polar bears, walrus and caribou.

"It is important to keep tradition alive," he said.

As for Artcirq, Qamukak said he would like to stay with the group.

"It gets more exciting each year."