Leetia Kalluk won the QIA Inuktitut song and poetry contest in 2017. (SoundCloud photo)
Calling all writers! Inuktitut song and poetry contest open to submissions
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association kicks off its third annual language writing contest
The Qikiqtani Inuit Association is accepting submissions for its third annual Inuktitut song and poetry contest.
From Feb. 1 to 22, they’ll accept original Inuktitut songs and poetry of 50 words or less. You can submit by sharing on social media, using the hashtag #QIAinuk.
First-place winners receive $400, second-place $300 and third-place $200.
The winners will be announced Feb. 28, QIA said.
The QIA song and poetry contest has named some impressive artists in the past few years:
· Last year’s first-place winner, Becky Han, won Government of Nunavut’s 2016 Qilaut Inuktitut language contest.
· Second-place contestant Joshua Haulli opened for musician Joel Plaskett and won the Alianait Battle of the Bands, both in 2015.
· The 2017 winner, Leetia Kalluk, joined the Alianait Arts Festival’s 2018 lineup as a new musician.
· Second-place winner Jerry Laisa opened for Justin Rutledge at an Iqaluit concert last year.
· Third-place contestant Ben Qaqqasiq was the youngest winner at 14 years old and played at the closing ceremonies for Toonik Tyme in 2014.
You can find some examples of past winning entries here.
Is there any possible way that Nunavimmiut are also open to this contest?
Is there any possible way that Nunavimmiut are also invited to participate in this contest?
Ullukkut, the title is somewhat deceptive because “all writers” are not eligible, only Qikiqtani Inuit.
It would be great if there was also an Inuktitut contest open to everyone in Canada who speaks Inuktitut.
It maybe ideal if you ask the NTI or ITK since they are here for whole inuit. This one is limited to people who are from Baffin area. But if ITK or NTI it would open up to all inuit. DO your research before asking this kind of question. Or at least understand different levels of organization for inuit
No need for ad hominem arguments, as I do understand the different types of Inuit organizations. A national Inuktitut writing competition would likely fall under ITK’s purview, and I never stated otherwise. But my point stands – this article shouldn’t be titled “Calling all writers!” given that the competition is not open to all writers – only Qikiqtani Inuit.