5 Inuit storytellers in running for $80K writing prize

Five writers are in the running for $80,000 and support to publish their Inuktut writing project.

The Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize, launched in 2020, recognizes emerging Inuit writers who create original works in Inuktut. Since its launch in 2020, Nunavut Tunngavik Foundation has awarded $200,000 in prizes.

This year’s finalists are Donna Adams, Meghan Alivaktuk, Kevin Kablutsiak, Savanna Kiliktee and Megan Ungalaq. Nunavut Tunngavik Foundation announced the finalists Nov. 27 in a news release.

The grand prize is $80,000 along with the opportunity to develop the winning writing project over the course of a year, including a residency and mentorship to help turn the submission into a full-length book.

Four additional prizes will be awarded to the runners-up, with prize amounts of $10,000, $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000.

Kevin Kablutsiak is one of the finalists for the Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize, presented by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Kablutsiak)

“I think it’s so important that Inuit are given the opportunity to write more in our language from the Inuit thought,” said finalist Kevin Kablutsiak.

Kablutsiak was the host of Nunavut’s morning radio show Qulliq in Iqaluit, and is now the managing editor of CBC North in Yellowknife.

“Through literary efforts and encouragement like this, we can really advance Inuktitut like we haven’t done in a very long time,” he said.

The third edition of Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize was announced by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Aluki Kotierk on June 19.

In the guidelines available on NTI’s website, authors were given until Sept. 22 to submit an unpublished book, collection of short stories or poems, or an outline for a book or collection.

Kablutsiak, writing in the Arviat dialect, submitted a full-length memoir that reflects on his personal experiences and memories of his late grandmother.

“She was a remarkable woman in my eyes and it’s a tribute to her,” he said.

“Reliving my experiences with her and learning new things from her even though it’s been years since she passed, has been a wonderful experience.”

Finalist Donna Adams was the manager at Kangiqliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization and is now a court worker with Nunavut Legal Aid. She submitted an original story about a young boy called Kattagaq.

Teased by his peers for his name, which translates roughly to ‘dropping something,’ and ostracized by his community, the story follows Kattagaq’s journey to becoming accepted by his people and embracing his identity.

“Inuit stories have so much wisdom to teach life lessons or morals, every storyteller knows that,” said Adams.

“For me, the challenge was making the story original as Inuit have told every story under the sun.”

Adams described having “lightbulb moments” while writing her story which she had to write down quickly before they were forgotten.

Another of the five finalists, Meghan Alivaktuk from Pangnirtung, submitted a story about a teenage girl who begins to hunt in order to save her family from starvation.

Written for a grades five to 12 audience, Alivaktuk said she made the main character a girl to “proudly voice that it’s OK for girls to hunt and fish.”

This will be Alivaktuk’s first full-length story.

“It’s a big accomplishment as Inuktut is very important to me as an individual,” she said.

“This is a big reminder that I’m a contributor to preserving and conserving it.”

Nunatsiaq News attempted to reach Savanna Kiliktee and Meghan Ungalaq for comment but did not get a response.

The winners will be announced at the Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize Gala to be held at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre in Iqaluit on Wednesday.

Attendees can expect performances from Nunavut artists like Terry Uyarak of Igloolik, Donovan Tootoo of Rankin Inlet, Joey Nauyuk from Pangnirtung, as well as a feature performance from Nunavik singer Elisapie, according to the release.

The gala will be broadcast on Uvagut TV for non-attendees to watch.