YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknifers were treated to some of the most unique arts and culture Nunavut has to offer this weekend.

The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, the latest feature from Igloolik Isuma Productions, stopped in the capital during its tour of communities throughout the NWT, Nunavut, Ontario and Quebec.

Igulik performer Terry Uyarak hoists Jacky Qrunnut following the showing of Journals of Knud Rasmussen at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

Though this is the second time the film has come to Yellowknife (the first time was at Capitol Theatres), the tour had something more to offer. Taking the place of the expected hosts were Igulik acrobatic performers Terry Uyarak and Jacky Qrunnut.

Members of the troupe Artcirq, the pair joined the tour to answer questions about their organization, and to present a short film, Isaittuq (Waterproof) made by Iglulik's Bruce Haulli.

Starring Journals' Leah Angutimariq (also an acrobatic performer) Artcirq co-founder Guillaume Saladin and others, the film touches on gambling, isolation and suicide, set on a cold winter's night in Iglulik. The film explores how reaching out to those around you can drastically alter outcomes.

The short film was followed by Journals of Knud Rasmussen, and a very vague teaser for Isuma's third feature, Before Tomorrow, the first picture from the company to be filmed outside of Iglulik.

After the screening, Qrunnut and Uyarak answered questions about the film, Artcirq, and the group's plans to perform in France this year.

"I'm a porter," Uyarak explained. "I lift people on the bottom of human pyramids."

He said Artcirq involves around 20 performers, aged

8-29, doing acrobatics and clown work, music, and most recently, film.

Uyarak said the Journals of Knud Rasmussen had a huge impact on him the first time he watched it (he's now seen it five times), even though he had studied the history the film talks of long before.

"Our grandparents won't talk about it," he said. "They were forbidden from talking about shamanism."

After the audience cleared out, Uyarak and Qrunnut proved they still had one trick up their sleeves. Lacking a ladder, Uyarak hoisted Qrunnut onto his shoulders to take down the projection screen used for the event.

It took a few tries and re-adjustments, however.

"I'm the lighting technician," Qrunnut explained.