photo Vincent Desrosiers/Alianait
Simon Winsor performs at National Aboriginal Day with the rest of the Inuksuk Drum Dancers at Joamie School in Iqaluit June 21.
The Inuksuk Drum Dancers had a busy year representing the territory in Iqaluit and beyond.
"They perform traditional and contemporary Inuit music throughout Iqaluit and the rest of Canada. One of their mandates is to promote and preserve Inuktitut," said Inuksuk High School choir director Mary Piercey-Lewis.
"Inuksuk Drum Dancers rehearse during their lunch hour three times a week."
photo Vincent Desrosiers/Alianait Simon Winsor performs at National Aboriginal Day with the rest of the Inuksuk Drum Dancers at Joamie School in Iqaluit June 21.
That's above and beyond regular student duties and other commitments.
"Many graduating choir members go on to post-secondary institutions and become confident, successful leaders in their communities. They are the movers and shakers of the future!"
Next up, the group will represent Nunavut at the Arctic Winter Games in the Northwest Territories in March.
Rachel Michael, Leanna Wilson, Natalie Maerzluft, Angela Austria, Tooma Laisa, and Catherine Suclan, with members of the Asham Stompers from Manitoba. The two groups shared the International Stage at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto August 17 to 25. photo courtesy Inuksuk Drum DancersThe performers enjoy some downtime in Toronto while performing at the Canadian National Exhibition in August. Back row, from left: Angela Austria, Tooma Laisa and Natalie Maerzluft. Middle row, from left: Leanna Wilson and Catherine Wilson. Front row, from left: Mary Piercey-Lewis and Rachel Michael. photo courtesy Inuksuk Drum DancersJacqueline and Josephine Gibbons and the group perform at Unisong at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on Canada Day. photo courtesy Inuksuk Drum DancersInuksuk High School's choir director Mary Piercey-Lewis conducts the Inuksuk Drum Dancers and the National Arts Centre orchestra members, along with Leela Gilday, Sylvia Cloutier, Jerry Laisa, Colleen Nakashook and Qaggiavuut staff and board members, in a rendition of the Charlie Adams favourite Quviasuppunga in December. photo Vincent Desrosiers/Qaggiavuut/AlianaitLooee Arreak performs with the Inuksuk Drum Dancers. Arreak wrote a special song for the group – Qaujimavuunga Kinaummangaarma (I Know Who I Am), which they sang at a concert with Gryphon Trio and the Cantiamo Girls' Choir at St. Jude's Cathedral in Iqaluit May 8. photo courtesy Inuksuk Drum DancersJosephine Gibbons, Teresa Kolola, Chidinma Umenwofor-Nweze, Simon Winsor, Catherine Suclan, with throat singers Leanna Wilson, Tooma Laisa, and Alika Komangapik perform with the Cantiamo Girls' Choir at Dominion Chalmers United Church in Ottawa July 5. photo courtesy Inuksuk Drum Dancers
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