‘Aukkauti’ play begins Nunavik-wide run in Kuujjuaq
Inuktitut-language play highlights culture, language and storytelling
After premiering at the Puvirnituq Snow Festival last winter, Aukkauti begins its regional tour in Nunavik, starting with Kuujjuaq. Daniel Gadbois, right, stars in the lead role. (File photo by Cedric Gallant)
A play that retells the tragic story of Aukkauti, one of Nunavik’s most enduring oral histories, is touring communities across the region.
Following its premiere at the Puvirnituq Snow Festival in March 2025, the production will begin its regional tour Saturday evening in Kuujjuaq. Organizers and partners launched the tour at a press conference Friday.
Produced by Aaqsiiq Inuit Theatre, Aukkauti follows a man of the same name who accidentally shoots his friend’s son, setting off a tragic chain of deaths.
William Tagoona, Avataq president of Avataq Cultural Institute and renowned Inuk musician spoke at a press conference Friday launching the Nunavik tour of Aukkauti. (Photo by Dominique Gené)
“It’s a difficult story. I think what [this play] can bring is a sense of resolution for people, but also a celebration because there are funny bits, there are emotional bits,” said Taqralik Partridge, Aaqsiiq’s newly appointed executive director, in an interview.
At Friday’s conference, representatives from Makivvik Corp., Avataq Cultural Institute, Kativik Regional Government, Federation of Cooperatives of Northern Quebec and the Northern Village of Kuujjuaq highlighted the role theatre can play in preserving and promoting Inuktitut and Inuit culture.
William Tagoona is Avataq’s president and a former member of the Harpoons, an Inuk rock band from the 1960s. He said Nunavik has a long artistic and musical tradition and that “now it’s time to do the theatre.”
“It is perfect timing,” he said.
Other speakers echoed the importance of Inuktitut-language theatre.
“I want to reiterate that Aaqsiiq Theatre being in Inuktitut is a form of decolonization,” said Aloupa Kulula, FCNQ’s vice-president.
Partridge said her vision for the theatre company is to empower Nunavik youth.
“It’s to have the world open up for them, to have them be exposed to artists, work and creative ideas from all over the place and let them see what is possible.”
Opening night of Aukkauti is Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a second performance Monday at 2 p.m. at the Katittavik Town Hall Theatre.
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