Where is Igloolik?

Summary and background of the “Artcirq - Arctic Circus” Mission

Summer 1998, Igloolik, Nunavut. Two teenagers commit suicide, once again shattering this small island community of 1500 residents. Every time a suicide occurs, feelings of despair and powerlessness resurface in this world where two cultures collide. In the Arctic, loss of sense and sorrow are real facts of life. Based on government statistics at the time, 4 to 6 young adults commit suicide every year in Igloolik, which represents a rate seven times higher than in Montreal.

Following the recurrence of such tragedies in Igloolik, some concrete actions are taken to give children and teenagers a medium to express themselves. The initiative of Isuma Productions (movie Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner) forms a group of eight young people, intended to prevent suicide in this small community. The organism Inuusiq, which means “Life” in Inuktitut, is created, and its first mission is to realize and produce, with the help of ISUMA production, a television series about the youth’s life in the Canadian Arctic of today. Guillaume Saladin was a member of this organism, “Inuusiq youth drama group”, and a co-writer and actor of the series. Furthermore, studying at the National Circus School of Montreal at that time, he implements the circus project Artcirq with six others students of the circus school, including Karine Delzors.

Now Artcirq evolved in a community-based circus and multimedia company, allowing northern and southern artists to bridge and meet in a meaningful and creative way.

The goals and objectives of the group are to:

1. Introduce Inuit to circus arts;

2. Use the roots of traditional Inuit culture (acrobatics, juggling, clown) to relate with the techniques of modern circus;

3. Give young Inuit access to universal communication vehicles offered by circus arts, to bridge the gap between the different generations and cultures;

4. Promote spiritual and body self-expression while enhancing self-esteem of participants;

5. Deliver orientation workshops on circus arts in the village of Igloolik;

6. Create and present live performances with the young people of the village and the artists of Montreal, in partnership with Cirque Eloize;

7. Videotape the whole experience and to produce short films in collaboration with Igloolik Isuma Production;

8. Cooperate with the Youth Group of Igloolik in order to prevent suicide by increasing the communication tools within youth, a communication often limited by a lack of resources.

8. Increase awareness on global environnemental issues, especially on Arctic's climate warming and its impacts on communities, in partnership with Globaïa.


 

		Guillaume Ittukssarjuat Saladin. Co-founder, Co-Artistic Director, Trainer, Cast. He is from an anthropologists family, grew up partly in Igloolik until he was 15. After graduating from UQAM in 1998 in Sociology and Communication, he helped starting the Artcirq project while being at the National Circus School of Montreal. In 2001, he was part of the cast of Cirque Éloize’s show Nomade ?  directed by the world known Daniele Finzi Pasca from Theatro Sunil, Lugano ? for a 4-years-worldtour as an actor acrobat. He lives in Igloolik on a permanent base to carry on the training and to work on video projects in collaboration with Igloolik Isuma Productions.
		Terry Uyarak. Member since July 2006. Graduated from Igloolik High School, captain of hockey team and coordinator of Arena, hunter, up and coming artist and actor, has been putting a lot of energy and heart into the Artcirq projects.
		Jacky Qrunnut. High School graduate, father of one child, technician, acrobat, clown, lighting operator of Kaugjjagjjuk. Did the show in 2004 and performs with Artcirq until today. He went beyond Timbuktu... and came back to Igloolik.
		Jimmy Qamukaq. Father of two children,professional artist, acrobat, clown, performed in B.C stadium in olympic winter games 2010. now he is a coordinator of training, and sometimes help community through recreation department.
		Joey Ammaq. Now graduate of Attaguttaaluk High School. Father of two children, "strong man" of three men high, clown, musician, juggler, and hand-to-hand his girlfriend. Works as in recreation coordinator and puts a lot of energy on both sides. Also performed in B.C stadium in Vancouver.
		Jenny Attagutsiak. High School student, mother of a little girl and boy named Briana Wesley, she loves to sleep! Began her circus formation in 2007, have great talents in contortion and as a hand to hand flyer. Now full time employee with Artcir.
		Nikita Ungalaq. Contortionist, she dreams to stay with Artcirq and travel the world. Participate to the fulltime formation since October 2005 as a flyer. Currently in Igloolik High School and involves with suicide prevention and other youth projects. She is now Artcirq employee.
		Solomon Uyarasuk. High school graduate, acrobat and tissue climber and avid editor, performed in Kaugjjagjuk Show in 2004, actor in "The Journal of Knud Rasmussen", Isuma production in 2005, as well as in Issaituq, Artcirq 2007. Artcirq artist until today.
		Derek Aqqiaqiuq. Graduated from Attagutaaluk High school and Artcirq member since 1999. Musician, juggler, he was leader of the Igloolik rock band "The Eskies". He is now with his dad's band, "The Hazers". Upcoming video-maker, he is at directing his second full-length documentary.
		Lucy Tulugarjuk. She plays Puja, Atanarjuat’s saucy second wife. She made her film debut in Atanarjuat. Mother of two children, Lucy was enrolled in a management training program in Ottawa. She currently lives in Igloolik where she’s involved with Artcirq and Igloolik Isuma Production.
		Reena Qulitalik. Great actress, strong girl, throat singer and juggler. started her actress career in Atanarjuat, by Igloolik Isuma Productions in 2001. She is traveling the world, and love to go out on the land camping.
		Damien Tulugarjuk. Gold medalist of the Winter Arctic games, one foot high kick, for the junior category. With Artcirq since 2009, he left for his first international tour to Toulouse in march 2010, and got lost by a rainy day in the Pyrenees woods for 6 hours! What an experience...

Leah Angutimmarik. Member of Artcirq since 1999, several workshops and performances, throat singer, juggler, actor. She had a leading role in The Journal Of Knud Rasmussen, Igloolik Isuma Production in 2005. Was invited in Dublin during Spring 2006. Mother of a little boy and a girl.

Daisy Irqqarqsaq. Mother of 2 children, was involved in the Igloolik Youth Group. Participate to the fulltime formation since October 2005 as a contortionist, whipper, throat singer, juggler, and she went to Montreal and other places.

Sheeba Kublu. Specialized in contortion and throat singing, she loves to laugh. Would like to travel and discover the world.

Aberaham Ivalu. High School student, he likes to goal in floor hockey. He enjoys learning circus techniques, head stand, stick manipulation and teeter board.

John Arnatsiak. Elder Consultant. Respected Inuit elder, hunter, mechanic, and survival guide, Arnatsiaq was born and raised in one of Igloolik ‘s most traditional families. He lived most of his life in remote outpost camps, and therefore is extremely knowledgeable about Inuit traditional life. His vast knowledge of Inuit traditional games and preformance have been extremely valuable in previous collaboration with Artcirq youth. Performance runs in the family, and his father and brothers are recognized in Nunavut and worldwide as actors and performers. He was our guide for the Artcirq expedition at spring 2009.