December 21, 2022 – Every year, the Arctic Inspiration Prize celebrates northern achievements at an awards ceremony that showcases the AIP Finalists, Laureates, and performances by artists from across the North. This year’s ceremony marks a return to a live and in-person celebration in partnership with the Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase.
11th Annual Awards Ceremony
February 8, 2023
Doors open at 5:00
Shaw Centre, Ottawa
Tickets include Meet and Greet reception: Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by northern artists and performers Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and Andrea Brazeau. “We are delighted that Laakkuluk and Andrea will be hosting this year’s show,” said Wally Schumann, Chair of the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust. “Both took on the hosting duties virtually and we are thrilled to have them come together in-person for this year’s show.”
With Leela Gilday once again taking the lead as artistic director, the AIP awards ceremony promises to be an ambitious, pan-Arctic celebration that will feature three incredible performances from northern artists:
Vision Quest – Nick Johnson and Yudii Mercredi are a dynamic contemporary hip-hop duo. from Whitehorse, Yukon. They have roots in Gwich’in (Mercredi) and Southern Tutchone (Johnson) communities. Their powerful music focuses on shared social, political and economic issues facing Indigenous people across the world, and resilience above all.
Beatrice Deer – Acclaimed “Inuindie” pop star Beatrice Deer is a singer-songwriter based in Montreal singer-songwriter. Half Inuk and half Mohawk, Beatrice was born and raised in Nunavik, Quebec, in the small village of Quaqtaq. She has released six studio albums, including her newest, titled SHIFTING. Her award-winning songs are crafted upon deeply personal lyrics and blend indie rock and modern folk with traditional Inuit stories and throat singing. A role model to her community and a stalwart advocate for mental health, Beatrice feels strongly that each of us, no matter what we’ve been through, has the ability to transform our personal outlook. Her message, whether shared in song or at speaking engagements, comes from her own lived experience of overcoming countless obstacles.
Terry Uyarak – A self-taught singer/songwriter and musician from Igloolik, Nunavut whose songwriting reflects his experiences as a husband, father and hunter. His Inuit language and culture are strongly embedded into his everyday life, and there’s a strong sense of community that resounds in his music. Terry’s Juno-nominated debut album “Nunarjua Isulinginniani” carefully weaves together storytelling, soundscape and song to carry each listener on a journey, by dog team, to the ends of the word. He will be performing with his stellar band.
“The projects and the Laureates of the AIP have always celebrated community relationships and activities, and have always acknowledged the powerful connection of northerners to the land and water. This year the theme of the AIP musical presentations will celebrate walking lightly on the earth and leaving our mark on each other,” said Leela Gilday, celebrated musician, songwriter, singer, guitarist, composer, creator and AIP Artistic Director.
Finally, each winning team will receive a piece of original artwork that represents the themes of the Laureate teams. Each of this year’s pieces were created by a past AIP Laureate or Finalist,
Pictures of the hosts and performers can be found here.
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About the AIP
As the largest annual prize in Canada, the Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) inspires, enables and celebrates the achievements of the people of the North. The AIP recognizes diverse teams and enables their innovative projects in the fields of education, sustainable housing, health, performing arts, traditional knowledge, language, and science. Each year, the AIP awards: one $1 million prize, up to four prizes of up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth prizes of up to $100,000 each. The AIP is owned and governed by the northern-led AIP Charitable Trust and is a community of Indigenous organizations, governments, industry, philanthropy, and many other partners from the North and South.
For further information, please contact:
Allison MacLachlan
(613) 316-3473
https://arcticinspirationprize.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/©[email protected]
Web: arcticinspirationprize.ca
Twitter: @ArcticPrize
Facebook: /ArcticPrize
Instagram: @ArcticInspirationPrize
