Nunavik rockers enjoy the spotlight

Members of Salluit’s Sugluk band pose in Iqaluit in this circa 1975 photo. From left, Willie Keatainak, George Kakayuk, the late Tayara Papigatuk, Mark Kadjulik, Putulik Papigatuk (not a band member) and Sandy Kakayuk. (PHOTO COURTESY OF P.PAPIGATUK)

Sandy Kakayuk, a long-time member of the Salluit band, is pictured here working for the regional broadcaster TNI in Kuujjuaq last week. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

When Sandy Kakayuk and his old bandmates recorded some rock songs in the 1970s, he could never have imagined they’d get digitized and then ring out from stereos and MP3 players around North America 40 years later.

But thanks to the success of Native North America Vol 1: Aboriginal Folk, Rock and Country 1966-1985, released by Light in the Attic Records late last year, that’s exactly what’s happened.

The album, curated by Vancouver-based DJ and music historian Kevin Howes, features Inuit musicians from Alaska, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Nunavik featured heavily in the compilation too, with tracks from William Tagoona along with the catchy garage rock and pop ballads of Puvirnituq’s Sikumiut and Salluit’s famous — and still performing — Sugluk band

“People like it,” said Sugluk’s Kakayuk, of the album’s reception. “It’s getting around.”

Kakayuk, who alternates on drums, guitar and vocals, said he was surprised to hear from Howes a couple of years ago when the music buff started to research northern music and musicians.

“We just had that little 45 we recorded in 1974 or 75 from when we played Toonik Tyme in Iqaluit,” Kakayuk said. “That was the only one and it was live, no takes — just a one-shot recording.”

That album was recorded at the same time the band was photographed outside what is now Nunavut’s capital, in bell-bottoms jeans and long hair.

Native North America Volume I is currently being reprinted after selling out its first run. A volume 2, featuring U.S. artists, is now in production.

The timing of the compilation turns out to be bittersweet; since its release, one of the former Sugluk band members, Tayara Papigatuk, died after a battle with cancer.

But thanks to the album, the musician’s’ work is now forever immortalized for music lovers north and south of 60.

In Salluit, Kakayuk and the band’s surviving members are still playing music together. They call themselves the Salluit band now.

“We’re still playing those same songs, and some new ones too,” Kakayuk said. “We also play a lot of gospel music.”

Group members have transformed into role models for a new generation of aspiring musicians who are perform in local arts programs and talent shows.

“In Salluit, there are a lot of young people playing music these days,” Kakayuk said. “So yeah, we are kind of like role models. We were the first band in Nunavik.”