Inuit singers win big

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

The Alaskan Yupik/Greenlandic Inuit quartet Pamyua took top honours at the recent Native American Music Awards in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when a live album they recorded in 2002, called “Caught in the Act,” was named record of the year.

The quartet includes Phillip and Stephen Blanchett, Greenlander Karina Moeller and Ossie Kairaiuak.

The award is the first Nammy for Pamyua and the first for an Alaskan group in the six years of the award. More than 140 recordings were submitted for 2003 Nammy consideration.

“Caught in the Act” was released in April. Pamyua’s CD debut was “Mengluni” in 1998. The title is a Yupik word meaning “the beginning.” Pamyua’s second album, “Verses,” was released in late 2000 and earned the group a 2001 Nammy nomination for best world music recording.

Philip Blanchett and Karina Møller have performed at Kuujjuaq’s Aqpik Jam.