Who we are

Terry is the isumataq (thinker) of the group. He joined Artcirq in 2006 as a musician, juggler, and actor. Being a passionate hunter, he has been heavily involved in Artcirq’s cultural expeditions out on the land. Today is the owner of his own outfitting company, Anu Outfitting, alongside his wife Tanya.

Edith has been part of Artcirq’s Blackbox program since 2016 and is now a coordinator, teacher, artist, and mother. She helps to run Artcirq’s out on the land and sewing programs and is a talented acrobatic base and juggler.

Gisle Henriet is a multidisciplinary circus artist from Uppsala, Sweden. He graduated from the Circus Cirkör circus school in Stockholm, Sweden in 2004 and from the National Circus School in Montreal, Canada in 2007. Gisle has worked with companies such as les 7 Doigts de la Main, Norwegian National Theatre, and Cirque du Soleil, as well as performed on the streets in buskers festivals and in events such as the Royal Variety Show and the 2006 Winter Olympic closing ceremony. He now regularly works with Artcirq as well as Tupiq A.C.T. and is also the Co-Artistic Director of the Montreal based circus company Throw 2 Catch.

Born into a family of anthropologists, Guillaume grew up partly in Igloolik up until the age of 15. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Communication at UQAM in 1998, he helps start Artcirq while attending the National Circus School in Montreal. In 2001, Guillaume joined Cirque Éloize as an acrobat and performer for the 4 year tour of the show Nomade, directed by the well-known Daniele Finzi Pasca. Since 2005, Guillaume has dedicated his passion and career to collaboratively leading Artcirq in Igloolik with the goal to improve opportunities for youth in Canada’s Arctic.

Jacky joined Artcirq in 2004 as a technician. Soon after, his talents in clown were revealed and he began training as a performer. He has traveled with the troup, from Timbuktu to Greece, Guinea, Mexico and France. Back in Igloolik, he is a full time father and coordinator of Artcirq’s Black Box programming.

Levy Tapatsiak is a talented Inuit games athlete, acrobat, and actor and the star of Artcirq’s past touring production Unikkaaqtuat. He is an advocate for making Blackbox a welcoming environment for the youth of Igloolik and supporting everyone to do their best together.

Maya grew up in the Pacific Northwest on Coast Salish Territory and hails from Mennonite-Anglo-Celtic ancestry. She is a musician and aerialist and graduated from Quest University with a major in performance studies in 2019. She travelled to Igloolik for an artistic exchange with Artcirq the same year and moved there just before the pandemic. With Artcirq Maya works as an artist, coach, administrator, and helps to coordinate out on the land and sewing projects.

Misti Maye is Artcirq’s youngest member. She has been training hard on aerial silks and straps and has become a talented aerialist and passionate teacher for her peers and the younger generation.

Reena had her acting debut in 2001 in the award-winning film Ataanarjuat. She joined Artcirq in 2005 filling every performance with her outstanding stage presence, physical strength, juggling, and stage presence. Her profound connection with traditional knowledge has also led her to spear-head Artcirq’s cultural projects.

Tylie has been training with Artcirq’s Blackbox program since 2017 and is learning and leading by example as a Blackbox coordinator. He is dedicated to teaching all who come and making it a supportive space. He competed in Inuit games throughout high school. As an artist he specializes in hand to hand, straps, Inuit games, and is also learning Qilaujjaq. Taking care of young people has always been part of his life, at home and in the community.

Shayne started working with Artcirq in 2023. He was trained by Jimmy, our long standing performer and coordinator and hired as a supervisor to ensure everyon’s safety at Blackbox. From there he worked hard to learn anything he could. Shayne enjoys playing the drums, something he learned in 2008 on his own, and is Artcirq’s new light and sound tech in training.”

Anthony joined Artcirq in September 2023 and has since been an active performer and contributor. His roles include clowning, hand-to-hand acrobatics, and traditional drum dancing. He has co-directed several shows and plays a key role behind the scenes, helping with photography and videography for performances, rehearsals, and the new Artcirq website.

Arma became a part of Artcirq in September 2022 and has taken on roles in hand-to-hand acrobatics and storytelling, where her presence and natural expression shine. Arma has shown skill as a flyer in group pyramids, demonstrating confidence, strength, and trust in her team. More recently, she has begun learning the art of traditional Inuit throat singing, embracing cultural knowledge with deep respect and curiosity.

Nikita joined Artcirq in 2005 at the young age of 12. She trained on a regular basis and has since become an agile flyer and contortionist. She graduated from high school in 2014, and has studied for a diploma in administration with Artic College. Today she is an active member of Artcirq performing, leading workshops at the Black Box, and coordinating cultural projects.

Véro brings over 22+ years of experience managing international projects and budgets to her role as Treasurer of Artcirq. Her work has included initiatives focused on Indigenous-to-Indigenous knowledge exchange, reflecting a deep commitment to cross-cultural collaboration and community empowerment. This background supports her role in ensuring strong financial stewardship and strategic planning for Artcirq, helping to sustain its mission of empowering Inuit youth through circus arts, music, and multimedia.

 
A lifelong lover of live music shows and the performing arts, Véro is also a certified yoga teacher and the owner of a small, peaceful studio nestled in the forest of Wakefield, Quebec. She holds a deep interest in traditional knowledge, particularly in the use of medicinal plants and herbology, which complements her holistic approach to wellness and community care. Her passion for creativity, wellness, and community engagement informs everything she does—both professionally and personally.

To my dear friend Solomon Tapatsiaq,

The first time I met Sol, I was going for a walk with my bow and arrows just outside the town of Igloolik. He looked like a free man, sensitive, with a strong mind and a deep look in his eyes. Not long after, he joined Artcirq, along with his brother Benjy, for the Kaugjagjuk show in the summer of 2004.

We made a promise to each other that I would move permanently to Igloolik, if he was to invest himself in Artcirq. The next year, I moved, and he devoted himself: his heart, his body, his soul and his pain, to the group.

Amongst all of us, he was the one that could create the easiest. He had a gift; he was a unique creator, poet, acrobat, musician… an Artist.

Fighting continually to live his life freely, he leaves us with strong memories to remember him by. But his departure is still a mystery for me, I can’t understand this way of parting with the world.

Hope you are free now Sol.
Guillaume Ittukssarjuat Saladin
Artcirq Co-founder

Joey,

I first met you in 2004 when you joined the Kaugjagjuk show as a dancer. I enjoyed discovering who you were and your energy was part of my decision to move to Igloolik the following year and further develop Artcirq.

Your gentle strength was contagious and the foundation of your hand to hand act with your love, Jenny, and later, with Brianna and Wesley. With your little family, you touched so many hearts all over the planet.

You became a close friend, and we dreamt together of a place in Igloolik where we could perform, gather, train, and express ourselves through music and the arts. Together we created the Black Box, and I still remember the day we said: “One day we will be gone but the Black Box will still be here”… It is happening my friend. Your energy is still around us, your face is printed in our hearts… I still can’t believe you are in the sky. Johoho, we’ve been through so many adventures, blizzards, storms, clear sky, and endless days. I am proud to have known you as a close friend. You remind us that life is fragile and we need to work on our dreams right now.

Wherever you are, I hope you are not too lazy, and that you are making people feel good as you did down here!
Love you my friend.

Guillaume Ittukssarjuat Saladin
Artcirq Co-founder