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 Production (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 is 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.

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 www.GLOBAIA.org.

CORE MEMBERS

Guillaume I. Saladin, 33 years old ─ Co-founder, Co-Artistic Director, Trainer, Cast
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 with Igloolik Isuma Production.

Lucy Tulugarjuk, 31 year sold ─ Co-Artistic Director, Trainer, Cast
Lucy Tulugarjuk 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.

Bruce Haulli, 29 years old. Member of Artcirq since 2005, involved in the video project as director, actor and story consultant. Received a grant as emerging artist in 2006 to produce his second short film after 407. Father of twins.

Derek Aqqiaqiuq, 25 years old. Graduated from Attagutaaluk High school and Artcirq member since 1999. Musician, acrobat, juggler, he is leader of the Igloolik rock band « The Eskies ». He is now travelling down South to explore the world.

Leha Angutimmarik, 23 years old. 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.

Kenneth Rasmussen, 29 years old. Film maker & actor from Aasiaat, Greenland. Graduated from Danish National Television (DR) in 1998 as a film- and videoproduction technician. Among others directed and produced: The Making of "The Journals of Knud Rasmussen".

MEMBERS
All of the men below are involved in an acrobatic teeter board training process.

Terry Uyarak, 20 years old. Member since July 2006. Graduated from Igloolik High School, captain of hockey team, hunter, up and coming artist and actor, has been putting a lot of energy and heart into the Artcirq project.

Solomon Uyarasuk, 20 years old. 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.

Gordy Qaunnak, 25 years old. High school graduate, acrobat, guitarist of The Eskiez, won several medals in Arctic Inuit Games throughout the years. World record holder. Performer in Kaugjjagjjuk show in 2004.

Jimmy Qamukkak, 18 years old. Back to school in 2007, hip hop dancer, wrestler,  acrobat, clown, he performed in Kaugjjagjjuk show in 2004 as well as the fulltime formation 2006-2007.

Bosco Attagutaaluk, 23 years old. High school graduate, member of Artcirg since 1999, acrobat dancer, part time employee at the Igloolik diamond mine and Igloolik coop.

Jacky Qrunnut, 22 years old. High School graduate, technician, acrobat, lighting operator of Kaugjjagjjuk Did the show in 2004 and performs with Artcirq until today.

Nikita Ungalaq, 14 years old. Contortionnist and throat singer, she dreams to stay with Artcirq and travel the world. Participate to the fulltime formation since October 2005 as a flyer. Currently at the Igloolik High School.

Nikita Nutarariaq, 16 years old. High school student, interested by sciences and after-school activites. Juggler, performed in Kaugjjagjjuk show in 2004 as well as the fulltime formation 2006-2007. He wants to travel the world.

Elias Qaunaq, 18 years old. Inuit game athlete, wrestler and acrobat. Participate to the fulltime formation since October 2005.

Joey Ammaq, 18 years old. High school student, guitarist and “strong man”. Participate to the fulltime formation since October 2005. Father of a young girl. He dreams to travel the world.

Daysy Iqaqsaq, 17 years old. High School student, was involved in the Igloolik Youth Group. Participate to the fulltime formation since October 2005 as a contortionist and a whipper. Throat singer, juggler, she went to Montreal and dreams to got to the circus school.

Joshua Qaunaq , 17 years old. High School student, like to carve and go out on the land. He would like to perform professionally as acrobat and musician specialized in floor acrobatics, hand stand and electric guitar.

Sheeba Kublu, 16 years old. Specialized in contortion and throat singing, she loves to laugh. Would like to travel and discover the world.

Arraham Ivalu, 19 years old. High School student, he likes to goal in floor hockey. He enjoys learning circus techniques, head stand, stick manipulation and teeter board.

Jenny Attagutsiak, 15 years old. High School student, mother of a little girld named Briana, she loves to sleep! Began her circus formation in 2007, have great talents in contortion and as a flyer.

Jenna Amarualik , 15 years old. High School student, juggler and acrobat, she loves to play hockey and basketball, as well as to travel and perform. She plays guitar and drum as a hobby, and loves to sing alone in her room. She is teaching circus to her little brother.

John Arnatsiak, 53 years old ─ 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.