Arviat singer-songwriter finds inspiration on the land

For Coral Harbour-based musician Jocelyn Malla, a $9,000 songwriting prize means more than recognition for her music.

“It really helps a lot day to day, living in a very expensive community, along with my children and grandchildren,” Malla said in an interview Thursday.

Malla won first place in the Government of Nunavut’s 2026 Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest with her song Tukisivunga, earning the $8,000 grand prize. She also placed fifth with Kamatsiaqta, winning her an additional $1,000.

She previously took the grand prize in 2022, and placed fourth and seventh in 2025 in the same competition. 

Tukisivunga, meaning “I understand,” was inspired by Malla’s experiences spending time on the land with her family from a young age.

“This song really represents who I am, where my ancestors came from and the creation of everything, which is so spectacular,” said Malla. “Going through this song made me realize how much I must appreciate life itself and my surroundings.”

Malla initially considered skipping this year’s competition but said she changed her mind after learning its theme, Avatiliriniq, which is focused on respect and care for the land, animals and environment.

She began writing during her summer break this year, starting with a guitar melody before the lyrics came together. She submitted her songs July 1 and later travelled to Iqaluit to record both entries at Aakuluk Studio this month.

Malla’s interest in music began when she was about eight or nine years old, she said. Growing up in a Christian household in Arviat, she learned from her father, who was also a musician.

She started with keyboard and piano before joining a Christian band as a teenager.

“The passion for music is in me. I really love it and I love sharing my Inuit culture, especially my language. I speak my mother tongue most of the time, and I love to share that,” Malla said.

Her love of music is also shared with students at the Sakku School in Coral Harbour where Malla teaches music and art.

Her classes are currently learning basic guitar chords on the ukulele.

“I try to promote my language but today, [the students] mostly speak English, but I try to speak Inuktitut and it’s kind of hard, encouraging them to speak their language, ” Malla said.

She released her debut solo album, My Irnik & My Panik, in October 2024. A second album has been approved, and she hopes to begin recording next year with producer Chris Coleman, who owns Nuvu Music and Sound, a recording studio in Iqaluit.

Malla said the Qilaut competition has given her an opportunity to reflect on her own experiences as an Inuk woman through songwriting.

“Through music, you learn a lot. You pick up words and memorize them, which is really useful. You get the sense of, ‘Yeah, that’s us Inuit. That’s me as an Inuk,’” she said.