< go back to the list

From August 16 to 21, Kuujjuaq hosted a circus camp for young Nunavimmiut from throughout the region.

About 50 young people from 13 to 17 years old spent an intense week learning about a range of circus and art disciplines such as aerial fabrics, juggling (balls, hoops and bowling pins), clowning, diabolo, acrobatics and contortionism.

The workshops were led by eight circus professionals along with eight junior instructors, which are the following:

• Linda Kowcharlie (Umiujaq)
• Louisa Yeates (Kuujjuaq)
• Paulassie Pinguapik (Kangirsuk)
• Paul Sala (Umiujaq)
• Eva Obed (Kangiqsualujjuaq)
• Jamie Etok (Kangirsuk)
• Jimmy Naluiyuk (Salluit)
• Richard Annanack (Kangiqsualujuaq)

“Art and culture” workshops were also part of the program, including an introduction to music (given by Charlie Tarqkik), throat singing and Inuit singing (Akinisie Sivuarapik), theatrical costume design (Victoria Gordon) and Inuit sports (Alec Airo).

During the week, the young people were delighted to welcome Susan Aglukark, who came to Kuujjuaq just to see them. The popular singer gave an inspiring talk about personal motivation and also performed solo.

The camp ended on a high note on August 21, with a public performance by the young people, featuring a variety of group, trio, duo and solo routines.

The circus camp was organized as part of Cirqiniq, a circus program for Nunavimmiut youth managed by the Kativik Regional Government in partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the Nunavik municipalities and the Kativik School Board.

Activities resume this fall when the circus teachers will visit seven Nunavik communities, followed by the other seven during the winter of 2011. The aim of the visits remains to teach circus arts to young people and, in some cases, to explore subjects already taught by the junior instructors in more depth.

For more information about Cirqiniq, contact Sylvia Cloutier at 819-964-2961, ext. 2251, or by e-mail at scloutier@krg.ca. You can also visit Cirqiniq’s Facebook page.