This Child

Susan Aglukark:  This Child

Quiz by Sharon Michiko Yoneda

Photographs:  "This Child. Let me talk with you."  Inuit children in winter. 

songwriter:  Susan Aglukark

performed by:  Susan Aglukark

date released:  1995 by Susan Aglukark

Born in Churchill, Manitoba, Susan Aglukark spent the first twelve years of her life moving around the Northwest Territories with her father, who was a Pentecostal minister, her mother and seven siblings.  After graduating from high school in Arviat, Nunavut, Aglukark moved to Ottawa to work with the Department of Northern and Indian Affairs as a linguist.  Returning to the Northwest Territories, she began performing in northern Inuit communities as a singer.

In 1995, Susan Aglukark released her second album, "This Child" which soared to national acclaim.  A track on the album, "O Siem" (Animals) won her two Juno Awards for that year for New Solo Artist and Music of Canada Aboriginal Recording.  Later, she was nominated for three more Juno Awards winning one of them.

In 2004, Susan Aglukark was awarded a DFA from the University of Lethbridge, as well, an LL.D from the University of Alberta in 2005.  That same year, she was honoured with Canada's highest award for its citizenry; she was made an Officer in the Order of Canada.