First Nunavut Commissioner’s award in performing arts goes to Veronique Nirlungayuk

Rankin Inlet drum dancer Veronique Nirlungayuk has received the first “Performing Arts Award” from Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias, a news release from the commissioner’s office said March 26.

In previous years, the commissioner’s office awarded arts awards, but that changed this year to an award for the performing arts because “it is an important part of Inuit culture and since there are so many up-and-coming young performers,” Elias said in the release.

Nirlungayuk started drawing as a small child and was then introduced to drum dancing by her late father, Bernard Iqqugaqtuq.

Nirlungayuk has won competitions with both her drawing and her drum dancing.

“Veronique Nirlungayuk has made a major contribution to the arts, as a drum dancer, an artist, an Inuit doll maker and a writer,” said Elias, calling Nirlungayuk a very talented Inuit artist.

The youngest of seven daughters, Nirlungayuk now teaches drum dancing to her children and to her granddaughter, so that the tradition can continue, the news release said.

As well as the cash prize of $10,000 Veronique Nirlungayuk will receive a certificate and the Commissioner’s medallion.