Iqaluit city council turns down Alianait’s request for civic holiday
Summer arts and music festival runs July 6 to 9
Workers assemble the stage ahead of the 2023 Alianait Arts Festival. This year’s festival is scheduled for July 6 to 9. (Photo courtesy of Alianait Arts Festival, by Vincent Desrosiers)
The dates are set for this year’s Alianait Arts Festival in Iqaluit, but residents will not get the four-day weekend organizers were hoping for.
The festival, which typically features live performances and other cultural activities, is scheduled to run July 6 to 9.
It starts on a Saturday and ends on Tuesday, July 9, which coincides with Nunavut Day — a stat holiday in Nunavut.
Festival organizers sent a letter to city council requesting logistical support from the city, primarily relating to facilities and amenities.
One of those requests included asking council to declare Monday, July 8, a civic holiday to “bridge the gap between the weekend and Nunavut Day,” according to a letter from organizers.
“We just made a civic holiday when we had Toonik Tyme, can we do another civic holiday for the community?” Mayor Solomon Awa asked, referring to the local celebration held earlier this year.
Coun. Romeyn Stevenson agreed with Awa’s question.
“That raises flags for me as well, not necessarily about whether we can do it but whether we should do it so close to another holiday we declared in April,” Stevenson said.
Stevenson asked human resources director Rod Mugford, who was filling in as acting chief administrative officer in Steve England’s absence, if the city has discussed the possibility with its largest employers, including the Government of Nunavut.
Mugford said it hasn’t, and that council would need to pass a bylaw to declare an additional civic holiday.
While rejecting the civic holiday proposal, council voted unanimously to support all of Alianait’s other requests. That includes providing garbage cans and portable toilets, reserving the Elder’s Qammaq at no charge for the festival, and renting lighting and stage equipment plus seating to the festival.
The festival has not yet announced its programming or lineup.
Why would anyone pay to attend a festival that has “not yet announced its programming or lineup.” Sounds poorly planned. 3 weeks away, they ask for so much but don’t have any information on what to expect. & the city still grants it.. ? YIKES.
In order to go to a festival it takes months of financial planning for some people to co-ordinate travel & accommodations. What a bummer. I guess its only for Iqaluit residents…
I love Alianait but they’re more unorganized this year than usual. They *just* announced their dates like 2 weeks ago. All other summer festivals announce their dates at least 6-9 months ahead of time so that they can book bands well ahead of time. What outside bands will be available on such short notice? I know Alianait is great for emerging local artists but festival goers like to see a couple of professional acts too. Asking the city for a stat holiday in their current state is like applying for a mortgage with no savings or regular income.
i agree, i know local talent is great, but we need a break and have a cool band having a gig in town man,what about the rolling stone,pink floyd,nirvana,the doors, imposible you say ? not. theres lots of bands that sound like the real things specialising in playing tribute to a proffesional band that nolonger exist,singers die but music still goes on (clasic) hey it does nt have to be rock either
Poor advise from Mugford. The City can only declare one civic holiday per year.
See CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES ACT section 129 (b).
Seems to get less interesting each year. Bring in some popular artists. Elisapie Isaac, Susan Aglukark and others. The bands that usually play are not interesting at all. Just like Toonik Tyme…people are not as interested in volunteering or participating. Sad.