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Ten of the Arviat choir members, along with two adults, will make the trip to the 19th International Folk Dance Festival in Ranana, Israel, this July 1-11.
The artists will be the first Canadian group to perform at the event.
The invitation from the Israeli government came about after Ian and Elizabeth Copland recommended the group to Gordon Bronitsky.
His company, Bronitsky and Associates, has been promoting aboriginal talent for the past 10 years.
Choir founder Mary Piercey says the trip will help build on the momentum gathered from performances in Newfoundland this past summer and the upcoming Arctic Winter Games (AWG) in Alberta.
"The majority of the singers had no idea where Israel was located, so we've had the atlas out and we've been looking at some pictures," says Piercey.
"We've been trying to figure it all out ourselves -- where it is, what life is like over there, all that stuff."
Tension over terror
Piercey says a number of parents have expressed concern over the trip due to the ongoing terrorist attacks in the Middle East.
She says the performers themselves, however, are excited about the opportunity to see that part of the world.
"The invitation came from the Israeli government, which means we're formally invited, so there really shouldn't be any problems."
From humble beginnings
While she's always believed in Arviat's talent, Piercey says there's nobody as surprised as her by all the success the choir has enjoyed during the past year.
She says it's hard to believe it was only three years ago when she started the project after arriving in Arviat as Qitiqliq secondary school's music teacher.
"It started off as strictly a school choir and then we opened it up to community members and it all took off from there.
"And now I hear there's some talk about us also going to Mongolia, so who knows where it's all going to lead us?"
Fair selection
Piercey says while she has a general idea as to the 10 people who will make the trip to Israel, she hasn't made any final decisions.
She says top priority will be given to the group members prevented from performing at the AWG due to age restrictions.
"There were a number of wonderful choristers, who have been with the choir right from the very beginning, who weren't able to go because they were only 15.
"Because they had to pass up on the AWG, I guarantee they will go to Israel.
"The rest will be a difficult choice because they've all become so committed to the choir. If it comes down to drawing names from a hat in order to be fair, I will," said Piercey.
Exposure fuels growth
Piercey says having the opportunity to showcase Inuit culture and talent on the international stage is a big step for Nunavut.
She says the group's trip to St. John's, Nfld., showed the gains that can be made through exposure.
"Even though we were still in Canada, there were choirs there from all over the world. They were so thrilled by our performance, especially the throat singing, that people were asking me about the possibility of coming to Nunavut to study.
"Our performance on the international stage may open up some doors for tourism with people wanting to come here and see Inuit culture in person," said Piercey.
University's song
Piercey says being in the choir has fuelled the desire in a number of performers to further their educations.
She says travelling with the group has helped the students expand their horizons to the point where they want to attend Southern universities.
"All of our performances outside of Nunavut have been on university campuses. So, the students have been able to visit the entire campus, see the buildings and, of course, imagine what the students are like while attending class.
"Now a number of them are talking about getting further educated in the South and bringing that knowledge back to their home community. It's been a wonderful experience for the kids when it comes to them thinking about what they could do with their futures," said Piercey.
