Indigenous peoples speak thousands of languages.
Together Indigenous peoples are the largest minority group in the world.
Susan Aglukark Singer + Songwriter + Inspirational Artist
“O Siem – We Are All Family”
Canadian Icon, three time Juno Award winner, Order of Canada recipient, and multiple Honorary Doctorate degree recipient, Dr. Susan Aglukark is a highly sought after motivational speaker. Susan has preformed for HRH Queen Elizabeth, Jean Chrétien, Brian Mulroney, Nelson Mandela, Billy Graham, and The Countess Of Wessex. Her award winning and chart topping music created out of her passionate appeal to the heart of humanity is why Susan created held a number one song in Canada and a top forty hit in North America.
Susan Aglukark is one of Canada’s most unique and honored artists. Her multiple award winning music has universal and timeless appeal. She was the first Inuit artist to have a top 40 hit. An Inuk from Arviat, Nunavut, Susan has been walking between two worlds, sharing her heart, music, and insight with the world.
Combining her music with her stories, Susan blends her singing with her messages of hope and the history on her people, the Inuit of Arctic Canada. She weaves words and music into hopes and ideas for a better, hopeful, thriving future for the aboriginal people. Susan sings and speaks about her culture and also about many other social issues.
A rare and exotic presence in the mainstream music world—an Inuk woman, a modern woman, a strong woman with something important to say is sometimes very rare in the entertainment industry --- Susan embodied pure, graceful honesty and strength. As her songs climbed the charts, her stories and her candor about the struggles of the Inuit and Aboriginal communities, and her bravery as she opened up about her own emotions and struggle won her an audience beyond that of most pop artists. “The songs are driven by the stories. It’s all about the stories.” Her songs and stories are about the people she knew growing up in the North. They represent both traditional and non-traditional Inuit experiences.
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.
“Susan Aglukark is truly of Canada’s most significant cultural treasures. Apart from being a beautiful singer and powerful songwriter, she provides a significant view to the culture of our northern communities. She is an inspiration to humanity.” -Deane Cameron
Dr. Susan Aglukark has a unique combination of musical artistry, intellect, style, grace, and inspiration. She is highly honoured, successful, and driven to bring change into the lives of her people and the world. Susan has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of a future generation. One such effort was to create programs to help aboriginal students stay in school and get a good education. Since the work with the University of Alberta was taking her away from her real passion, music, Aglukark made a decision to turn all of her energy back to her artistry and sharing of her stories.
Since that turning point, Susan has put together a new album, White Sahara. This followed up from the 2005’s Blood Red Earth. White Sahara is a mix of classic hits along with new songs. Susan continues to explore her creative song writing and performing gifts as a way to express her passion. Not only does she share her experiences, her insight and wisdom born out of a mutual experience of struggle, but she shares a vision for a better future.
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Nomad
Nomad is a 60 minute speaking and singing presentation of Canadian Inuit history. Through songs and stories, Nomad will take you on the journey of the Inuit over the last 1000 years and shed some light on the psychological and cultural impact of that rapid change.
Broken down into four stages, The Viking Era (the mid 1200’s), The Explorer Era (the 1500’s), The Whaler Era (the 1800’s) and today, the Age of Progress, Nomad will give you a glimpse into the collective soul of The People of Canada’s Arctic and how we/they have survived and thrived through adversity and rapid change.
Incorporating images, film and video, you will get a glimpse of the resilience and determination of a people who have maintained a quiet dignity despite near annihilation by disease and rapid change.
The presentation incorporates songs written (recorded) and inspired by some of the people’s greatest moments in terms of change and/or challenge. Ms. Aglukark speaks about some of the parallels between those turning points and her own turning points in her songwriting career.
Self-Esteem
We are born with an abundance of self-esteem and through whatever circumstance and situation we lose it along the way. These self-esteem workshops are shaped and designed around the same process that brought Susan to her path of personal empowerment.
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CD Album
Arctic Rose
CD Album
This Child
CD Album
Blood Red Earth
CD Album
Dreaming of Home
CD Album
White Sahara
CD Album
Unsung Heroes
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Accomplishments
- Susan has held command performances for:
- HRH Queen Elizabeth (twice)
- Canadian Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien and Brian Mulroney
- President of France, Jacques Chirac.
- Nelson Mandela
- Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson
- Her Excellency the Countess of Wessex
- Founder of the Arctic Rose Project
- Arctic Inspiration Prize Selection Committee
- Chair of Arctic Children and Youth Foundation (2008-2011)
- Board Member of National Aboriginal Literacy Foundation (2004-2007)
Awards include:
- Awarded the Governor Generals Order of Canada in 2005
- Awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal February 2012
- Juno Awards (3)
- First-ever Aboriginal Achievement Award in Arts & Entertainment
- Canadian Country Music Association’s (CCMA) Vista Rising Star Award
- Native American Music Award
- Canadian Aboriginal Music Award
- Honorary Degrees in Law from the University of Alberta
- Honorary Degrees in Law from Calgary University
- Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Lethbridge University
- Northerner of the Year – 1995
Susan’s albums include:
- Arctic Rose
- Christmas
- This Child
- Unsung Heroes
- Big Feeling
- Blood Red Earth
- White Sahara
Speaker Categories:
Language Keepers Master of Ceremonies and Facilitators Authors and Storytellers Cultural Advisors Education Indigenous Ceremonies Leadership and Mentorship Legal and Ethics Mental Health Motivation Multilingual Social Change Spirituality Tribal Governance Indigenous Awareness and Diversity Womens Issues Residential Schools Treaties and Indigenous Historians Actors Entertainers and Celebrities AcademicSusan Aglukark is one of Canada’s most unique and honored artists. Her multiple award winning music has universal and timeless appeal. She was the first Inuit artist to have a top 40 hit. An Inuk from Arviat, Nunavut, Susan has been walking between two worlds, sharing her heart, music, and insight with the world.
Combining her music with her stories, Susan blends her singing with her messages of hope and the history on her people, the Inuit of Arctic Canada. She weaves words and music into hopes and ideas for a better, hopeful, thriving future for the aboriginal people. Susan sings and speaks about her culture and also about many other social issues.
A rare and exotic presence in the mainstream music world—an Inuk woman, a modern woman, a strong woman with something important to say is sometimes very rare in the entertainment industry --- Susan embodied pure, graceful honesty and strength. As her songs climbed the charts, her stories and her candor about the struggles of the Inuit and Aboriginal communities, and her bravery as she opened up about her own emotions and struggle won her an audience beyond that of most pop artists. “The songs are driven by the stories. It’s all about the stories.” Her songs and stories are about the people she knew growing up in the North. They represent both traditional and non-traditional Inuit experiences.
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.
“Susan Aglukark is truly of Canada’s most significant cultural treasures. Apart from being a beautiful singer and powerful songwriter, she provides a significant view to the culture of our northern communities. She is an inspiration to humanity.” -Deane Cameron
Dr. Susan Aglukark has a unique combination of musical artistry, intellect, style, grace, and inspiration. She is highly honoured, successful, and driven to bring change into the lives of her people and the world. Susan has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of a future generation. One such effort was to create programs to help aboriginal students stay in school and get a good education. Since the work with the University of Alberta was taking her away from her real passion, music, Aglukark made a decision to turn all of her energy back to her artistry and sharing of her stories.
Since that turning point, Susan has put together a new album, White Sahara. This followed up from the 2005’s Blood Red Earth. White Sahara is a mix of classic hits along with new songs. Susan continues to explore her creative song writing and performing gifts as a way to express her passion. Not only does she share her experiences, her insight and wisdom born out of a mutual experience of struggle, but she shares a vision for a better future.
Speaker Summary
Location: Canada
Language: English
Website: Click Here
Categories
Language Keepers Master of Ceremonies and Facilitators Authors and Storytellers Cultural Advisors Education Indigenous Ceremonies Leadership and Mentorship Legal and Ethics Mental Health Motivation Multilingual Social Change Spirituality Tribal Governance Indigenous Awareness and Diversity Womens Issues Residential Schools Treaties and Indigenous Historians Actors Entertainers and Celebrities AcademicFeatured Speakers
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