On April 6, 2017 Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark will share songs and stories of life from an Inuit perspective. CFUW Oakville will present the evening to support the University Women’s Club of Oakville Scholarship Fund, which aids deserving young women on their way to post-secondary studies.
Susan Aglukark is one of Canada’s most unique and honoured artists. An Inuk from Arviat, Nunavut, Susan walks in a tension between two worlds, a defining note in her remarkable career.
An Inuk, modern and strong woman, Susan has something important to say, which thankfully is becoming less rare in the entertainment industry. As her songs climbed the charts, her stories and candor about the struggles of the Inuit and Aboriginal communities, combined with her bravery as she opens up about her own anger and struggle won and continues to win her an audience beyond that of most pop artists.
Aglukark’s musical success is even more interesting when you realize she didn’t start her career until she was 24, with no modern musical orthodoxy to draw on Aglukark was free to respond to the sounds and styles that touched, motivated and inspired her. The (real) appeal of her music is that in an era where the most popular music is often less relevant than style or mood, her lyrics are where she lives.
“The songs are driven by the stories. It’s all about the stories,” commented Ms. Aglukark.
As much as she writes and sings about her people, the songs Susan Aglukark creates have something in them that speaks to all of us, whether it’s the longing of a woman growing old for the traditional life that she was taken away from, (“Bridge of Dreams”) to an gentle anthem for peace and tolerance, (“O Siem”—joy in community), Aglukark’s artistic vision is ultimately a universal one.
On Thursday, April 6, 2017 Ms Aglukark will present “Nomad”, a 60-minute speaking and singing presentation of Canadian Inuit history Through songs and stories, Susan will take you on the journey of the Inuit over the last 1000 years and shed some light on the psychological and cultural impacts of that rapid change. She will also introduce her Arctic Rose Foundation, a charity which will provide real opportunities to make a difference to Inuit youth through art therapy and other engaging methods. This promises to be an inspiring evening.
The event will starting at 7:00 PM with light refreshments, taking place at King's Christian Collegiate's Music Conservatory, 528 Burnamthorpe Road West, Oakville, Ontario. The "Nomad" presentation will start at 7:30 PM followed a question and answer session. The cost is $30 per person and will include a $20.00 tax-deductible donation to the UWC Oakville Scholarship Fund. There will also be the opportunity to make a donation to Susan's Artic Rose Foundation as well as buy her CD's. More information can be found at cfuwoakville.ca/scholarshipevent
CFUW Oakville provides 11 significant scholarships for women who reside in Oakville, attended a publicly funded school, and have been accepted into a University/College, and are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents. More information can be found at cfuwoakville.ca/awards.