INUVIK
The famous Igloo Church was the place to be Dec. 15 as the Inuvik Community Christmas Concert raised the roof.

Emily Rutherford performed a beautiful solo version of Angels We Have Heard on High on Dec. 15 at the annual Inuvik Community Christmas Concert. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

It was standing room only as more than a dozen performers and groups attended the annual event, including the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers and the town's own Mumford & Friends.

The concert tradition dates back to 1984, said Miki O'Kane, one of the organizers and a member of Mumford & Friends, a popular town band.

Of the original founders, only two or three remain in town, O'Kane said.

Joe Lavoie is one of those people.

"I'm usually up there performing instead of in the audience watching," he said after the show with a broad smile. "It was nice."

O'Kane said she's been helping to organize the concert for about 10 to 15 years.

"It's pretty informal, and anybody who wants to perform is welcome," she explained.

"All they have to do is let us know and we'll put them on the program."

The concert was a bit unusual this year in that only one soloist performed.

That was Emily Rutherford, an East Three Secondary School student, who turned heads with her high, pure voice during a rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High. Her version earned praises from Margaret Nazon of Tsiigehtchic, who acted as MC for the event.

Every church in town except Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church had a choir perform, while the East Three Staff Choir also sang two songs.

"That's what's so beautiful about this," O'Kane said. "Everybody tries to get here, and it doesn't matter what faith you are, or if you are of no faith, if you just love your fellow man, this is a good place to come."

Other performers included Nazon, who recited tales of how her family and others Gwich'in would celebrate Christmas when she was a child by leaving their homes on the land and heading for town, typically by dog sled.

In that era, it was common for families to have two dog teams, one driven by the husband and the other by the wife, she said.

"Now we have two cars," she observed wryly.

As now, many families would put on their new finery and show it off once they arrived – although it was handmade clothing then, unlike today.

Several people in the audience were attending the concert for the first or second time, and were touched by the community spirit.

"It's so much fun to listen to the songs and sing along," said Darlene Jean, who arrived in Inuvik at the start of the school year to begin a new position at East Three Secondary School.

"I love this kind of music and the Christmas season."

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