Two Aboriginal Challenge arts awards go to Nunavik artists

Gabriel Uqaituk of Montreal won fourth prize in the 2011 Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge with this photographic collage of his great-grandfather, the late Aisa Koperqualuk of Puvirnituq. (IMAGE/ HISTORICA-DOMINION.CA)

Charleen Watt of Kuujjuaq won third prize in the 2011 Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge for this photomontage illustration of an Inuk woman’s parka-encircled face. (IMAGE/ HISTORICA-DOMINION.CA)

The 2011 Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge has recognized entries from two Nunavik youth with awards: Charleen Watt of Kuujjuaq and Gabriel Uqaituk of Montreal.

Watt, a graphic designer with the Kativik School Board, studied desktop publishing at the KSB’s technical and vocational school in Inukjuak.

For her entry, Watt submitted a photo-montage illustration of an Inuk woman’s parka-encircled face in which other images can be seen.

“The images in the details represent a lot of my peoples’ cultures beyond just her face…[such as] bonding more openly..we connect too with the nature, taking from the land with lots of respect,” reads her statement accompanying the entry. “Like [in] Kuujjuaq, there are many programs for the youth to learn to use their spare time to enjoy their talents and show the world when they get to travel. Opening their views to wider than just [to] their community. This is my piece of art I’d like to share.”

An image by Gabriel Uqaituk, 24, a document and photo technician at Avataq Cultural Institute who lives in Montreal, won fourth prize.

Uqaituk’s image was created using Photoshop CS4 and was originally printed on an 11 inch x17 inch glossy paper.

“It represents the arrival of the Europeans in the North and one of the many beliefs and ways of life they have brought to the Inuit people,” says Uqaituk’s statement about his entry.

The top part shows a ship, on which the explorers were able to reach the northern lands, he said.

To the left is a cross, representing religion.

“The bottom part shows three circles, which represent the ancient Inuit way of life, the community, where everybody had a role to support, share and positively thrive in the harsh conditions of the North,” he said.

“The man is my great-grandfather, Aisa Koperqualuk, taken from a picture in the 1950′s, which I acquired from the Frederica Knight’s collection at the Avataq Cultural Institute’s archives.”

Koperqualuk was born in 1916 and died in 2001.

“Luckily, I have had the chance to meet him, yet was never able to properly communicate since he did not know any English,” Uqaituk said. “Today, when I look at all the history he and every other Inuit have experienced, I am proud to say I am Inuk and am able to keep my roots alive while living in this modern society.”

The Historica-Dominion Institute, a national charitable organization, sponsors the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge every year.

The institute’s mandate is “to build active and informed citizens through a greater knowledge and appreciation of the history, heritage and stories of Canada. For more information on the Challenge, visit its website.